National lacrosse program in disarray

PETERBOROUGH, ONT. The players and management of Canada’s national men’s lacrosse team are demanding the resignation of some of the Canadian Lacrosse Association’s top officials.

Following Canada’s 19-6 win over the United States in Saturday’s Heritage Cup in Hamilton, the players submitted a letter to the CLA board, signed by 19 members, demanding the resignation of CLA president Joey Harris, director Sohen Gill, director of high performance Doug Luey and athlete director Derek Graham, Postmedia News has learned.

The management team of Dean French, Gary Gait, Dave Huntley and John Mouradian submitted a separate letter, signed by all four, demanding action by March 31, 2018, or they will resign.

The management team, which oversees five national teams, has been at odds with the CLA leadership for its lack of action to restore its status as a registered Canadian amateur athletic association, stripped in 2010 by the Canada Revenue Agency for participation in a $60.7-million gifting program the CRA says violated tax laws.

National team players have paid thousands of dollars to play for Canada at world championships because funding for the program falls short of covering all costs.

Team Canada goaltender Brandon Miller said players are concerned the CLA hasn’t taken steps to regain the registered status. A CRA directive outlining steps required include removal of all board members involved during the gifting program, which includes Harris and Gill.

“It’s time for action,” Miller said. “We’re the guys bleeding and sweating for these games strictly to try to build our sport.”