Lacrosse re acts to CL A’ s removal of leadership
The Canadian Lacrosse Association’s decision to remove the men in charge of its national teams is not going over well in the lacrosse world.
The CLA board announced Friday night it accepted the resignation of national team chairman Dean French, director of the national men’s program Dave Huntley and indoor director John Mouradian. The CLA contends Gary Gait’s term as director of the women’s program was up, although, their policies and guidelines agreement seems to suggest otherwise.
The four men signed a letter to the C LA on Oct .22 stating they would resign March 31, 2018 if they did not fulfill three demands. Rather than give into the demands, the CLA accepted their resignations.
The demands included improvement of insurance coverage for national team players and resignation of CLA president Joey Harris and director Sohen Gill so the CLA could begin the process of regain its Registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Association status. Canada Revenue Agency revoked the status in 2010 for the CLA’s involvement in a $60.7 million gifting program the CRA deemed an “abusive tax shelter.” A 2012 CRA directive states any directors on the board at he time status was revoked, which applies to Harris and Gill, must be removed to regain RCAAA status. Without it the CLA cannot issue charitable tax receipts which national team managers contend hampers their ability to fundraise and recruit sponsorship. The CLA contributes up to $100,000 annually to the national teams who operate on budgets of $200,000 to $250,000 annually. Under those four, Canada’s national teams produced three gold and two silver at the past five world championships, their best results in a four-year cycle.
National team players recently created the National Lacrosse Team Players Association( N LT PA) seeking the demands voiced by the management group.
In a press release, the CLA cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their action. A letter to the four men stated it wasn’ t in the best interests of lacrosse in Canada to fulfill their demands.
“Surprise was my first reaction and disappointment,” said Katie Guy, co-captain of Canada’ s senior women’ s team .“The things they were fighting for on behalf of the players and the whole of lacrosse in Canada were reasonable things to be fighting for. The CLA mentioned irreconcilable differences. It seemed like something we could all be moving forward towards together.”
“We’ve had so much success under their guidance and leadership it’s hard to even process what the impact will be ,” said Guy .“I don’ t think it will change the things we are still hoping to improve.”It doesn’t really sway our goals.”
Angus Dineley has represented Canada three times as a player and once as an assistant coach. He joined the NLTPA as an alumnus.
“Disappointed they would choose to go in that direction instead of address what I think are legitimate concerns about how the national teams and the CLA are run,” said Di ne ley .“You hate to see guys who have given as much as they have to the program be pushed aside.”
Dineley is concerned how it will impact the men’s team competing next summer at the worlds in Israel.
“I’ve seen from a playing and coaching side how important it is to have guys who get it and get things done and take care of the stuff that can otherwise get in the way of you being successful,” he said. “Things like logistics, organization, travel, scheduling. There are so many moving parts. Those guys had experience with that and were passionate and allowed players and coaches to do their jobs. To have those guys taken out of the mix nine months from being in Israel, which is going to be a big logisti- cal challenge because it’s in a different part of the world, is not a great thing for the program.”
Dineley says the NLTPA is still going to fight for the things the managers wanted.
“The fact the C LA seems unwilling to engage with those concerns on a real productive level is a little disheartening. A lot of this could have been solved if they’d been a little more willing to have a dialogue,” said Dineley.
Former player turned broadcaster, Brian Shanahan tweeted, “This is a terrible move for Lacrosse in Canada. Lots more to come on this.”
Inside Lacrosse writer Stephen Stamp tweeted, “It’s certainly difficult to see the logic in choosing to keep two board members who will have to go for the CLA to regain RCAAA status over national team directors who have led Canada to unprecedented international success.”
Harris did not return calls seeking comment on the weekend.