The Nanaimo Timbermen haven't played since the 2019 WLA playoffs. They'll set their sights on the 2022 season after Lacrosse Canada cancelled the 2021 campaign and the Mann Cup national championship. (Gary Johansen)

By Dan Marshall

Another Season Cancelled

WLA Timbermen season cancelled for second straight year

May 18, 2021 | 9:55 AM

NANAIMO — For the second year in a row there will be no WLA season for the Nanaimo Timbermen.

A joint media release from the WLA in BC and Major Series Lacrosse in Ontario confirmed the cancellation of the 2021 campaign and the Mann Cup national championship.

Chris Bowman, Timbermen president, said it was a difficult decision not to play, but it was the right thing to do given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all held out hope we would be able to have a season but our biggest concern always is the safety of our players, staff and fans.”

Restrictions on large gatherings and guidelines limiting non-essential travel were cited as the major factors for both the BC and Ontario leagues staying off the floor for another year.

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Nanaimo has not played a competitive game since August of 2019 when the Timbermen lost in the WLA playoff semifinals to Victoria.

The modern era of the Mann Cup began in 1926.

In nearly 100 years 2020 and 2021 will be the only two seasons the trophy has not been awarded to the best Senior A lacrosse club in Canada.

The Timbermen organization also includes the Junior A and Tier 1 Junior B programs.

Bowman said for the time being those levels have not been cancelled.

“But with travel restrictions around the ferries it really limits ourselves and Victoria to play in a season if we ever do get to that point.”

The two junior programs were holding outdoor skills and drills sessions earlier in the spring but Bowman noted those have been stopped with the current BC health restrictions in place.

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