Doug Langlois (left) and Jon Diplock (centre) are members of a newly formed player-led management team guiding the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

back in the game

‘It was a big motivation for us:’ Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen return after missing 2022 season

Jan 19, 2023 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — A longstanding local lacrosse team previously on life support has been revived, thanks to a group of its players.

The West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association officially reinstated the Nanaimo Timbermen Senior B for the 2023 season during a league annual general meeting on Sunday, Jan 15.

Jon Diplock, longtime player and now member of a newly formed management team, said the league’s board of governors was satisfied with their reinstatement bid after missing the 2022 season.

“As soon as we stepped in and saw what we were dealing with it was a no-brainer, they needed to let us back in,” Diplock told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The team’s business case outlined financial statements, secured floor time at the Nanaimo Ice Centre and commitments from players and coaches, among other assurances.

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Following brief support from the private sector, the Senior B T-Men were left without the necessary financial backing to ensure the organization could stay afloat, jeopardizing the team’s future.

The WCSLA did not operate in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 related barriers.

Diplock said he and his teammates unable to suit up for their hometown team was difficult.

“It was big motivation for myself and the other guys to get it going again because it’s huge for the community, huge for us.”

The Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen return to the floor for the 2023 WCSLA season. (Nanaimo Sr. B Timbermen)

Various sponsorship packages are available to help sustain the Senior B T-Men, who will play out of the Nanaimo Ice Centre between May and July.

Diplock said while their on-floor lacrosse operations are taken care of, they’ll need an assist from volunteers on game-days.

“Volunteers are huge for us, we need 50/50, beer gardens, security, front door people.”

Keeping senior B level lacrosse alive in Nanaimo is essential, Diplock said, who pointed to the importance of a place for local players to graduate to.

Diplock said the Senior A T-Men have fewer opportunities for younger local minor and junior players.

“They’ll have somewhere to play once their Junior A or Junior B career is done and they don’t have to go anywhere, they’ll always have a place.”’

The Senior B T-Men last played during the 2019 season, bowing out to the Ladner Pioneers in the league finals.

A year prior was a memorable one when the Timbermen won the league title by upsetting Ladner in a best of three series.

The T-men went on to lose in the gold medal game of the Presidents Cup national championship before a jam-packed Frank Crane Arena in 2018.

Excluding last season, the Nanaimo Senior B Timbermen have been members of the WCSLA for more than 30 years.

Tryouts for this year’s Senior B T-men team are in March, Diplock said.

Rounding out the Senior B T-Men’s management team are players Travis Mickelson, Jake Mickelson, Andrew Miller and Doug Langlois.

More information on sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be had by engaging with the team’s Facebook page or via email: Nanaimotimbermensrb@gmail.com

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes