The Junior A Timbermen began the 2022 season with a win in New Westminster. The WLA Timbermen start their season at home on May 28. (Gary Johansen)

By Dan Marshall

Canada's Summer Game

Nanaimo box lacrosse returns for first full season since 2019

May 21, 2022 | 9:28 AM

NANAIMO — The long layoff without competitive box lacrosse in the Harbour City has been agonizing for players and fans.

The Junior A Timbermen had a brief eight game season in 2021 but other than that there has been no WLA or BCJALL action since 2019.

Nanaimo’s Junior A team won their season opener on May 15 and are preparing for their first home game against Delta on May 21 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

New coach Glenn Clark said it’s a thrill just to be back on the floor again.

“I walked into a blank slate. I didn’t what I had or the talent or skill set of the players. The thing I really liked was the the level of compete. We have a hardworking group which is certainly nice to be able to build on.”

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The Timbermen are loaded with players who play field lacrosse in the United States.

Clark said in the short term he’ll have to utilize players from Nanaimo’s very strong Junior B Tier 1 team.

“There’s probably eight guys who are still on their way back from school. Our players will be coming back over the next two weeks.”

The layoff has been much longer for the WLA Timbermen.

There have been no games for Nanaimo’s highest level box lacrosse team since the playoffs in August of 2019.

Tewanee Joseph has taken over behind the bench seeking to build relationships on the floor and in the community.

“We’ve had good discussions with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The community part is really starting to come together. The players are starting to come in and we’re working on systems and trying to connect with each other. Our theme for this year is to hold and lift each other up.”

Joseph said much of the roster for 2019 will be back in Timbermen colours when the season begins at home on May 28.

“A lot of players are still going to be here and I think that’s important. I’m excited with the players we have, they’re all incredible lacrosse players and they’re all able to do exactly what we’re asking of them.”.

Both programs have high hopes to compete for national championships. The Minto Cup Junior A tournament will return after a three year hiatus, as will the Senior A Mann Cup series between the Ontario and BC champs.

Nanaimo has never won a Minto Cup and the last Mann Cup win for a team from the Harbour City was back in 1956.

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