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Nanaimo Timbermen awarded 2018 Presidents Cup tournament

Feb 28, 2017 | 10:24 AM

NANAIMO — The 2018 President’s Cup Senior B lacrosse championship is coming to the harbour city.

The Timbermen hosted the event in 1989, and Nanaimo has won the event twice when the team was called the Luckies in 1966 and 1969.

Team Governor Shawn Swanson says the decision to give Nanaimo the 2018 event was made last week.

“We’re extremely happy. It’s really huge for Nanaimo lacrosse. It’s been a stressful seven or eight weeks while we were waiting for the CLA to give approval but it all worked out,” said Swanson.

Since Swanson has been involved on the management side there have only been two or three people running the organization. He would like to see that grow to 14 or 15 invested people as the 2017 and 2018 seasons approach. The plan is to utilize the Nanaimo Ice Centre as the facility for the event. That would allow for the best possible lacrosse atmosphere for about 800-900 people according to Swanson.

Players from pro and Senior A have already contacted the Timbermen about being a part of the team for the President’s Cup.

Swanson says the club will look at all options to be the most competitive.

“I’m hoping this is a two year process, not just a bunch of guys traveling around to wherever works for them,” said Swanson. “I don’t just want to have a bunch of guys come in next year and bump the guys that have been working hard for four or five years.”

The West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association is pleased the Timbermen will be hosting the 2018 event.

Senior B Commissioner Dave Parsons says the league will act in a support role for the Nanaimo organizing committee.

“It’s good for the league, and it’s good for Nanaimo. Shawn and the committee will do a good job – he’s been around the game for many years,” said Parsons.

Swanson has been to four Presidents Cups so he knows what it takes to win a championship, and to organize a strong event.

There is information about the 2018 tournament on the Senior B Timbermen facebook page and anyone interested in helping out can contact Shawn Swanson directly at shawn.swanson@shaw.ca.

 

dan.marshall@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @danmarshall77