ALA Presidents Report from CLA SAGM 2010
Saskatoon Saskatchewan

Representatives from the Alberta Lacrosse Association attended the 2010 Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) Semi Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon.

The recurring problem with the number of teams attending Founders Cup as an invitational tournament was rectified at this SAGM.  At this meeting, the Founders Cup was approved as a true National where only one provincial representative from each MA will attend along with a host.  The fee to attend will be $1200.  Member Associations dropping out will be sanctioned with a $2000 fine.

Plans for all 2010 National competitions are well under way.  The Mann Cup (Sr A) will be in BC.  The 2010 Presidents Cup will be held in Burnaby, BC.  Minto Cup (Jr A) will be held in Coquitlam, BC.  Midget Nationals will be in Coquitlam, BC.  Founders Cup (Jr B) will be hosted in Mimico, Ontario.  Pee Wee, Bantam, and Bantam Female will be held in Whitby, Ontario.  The Field Nationals are set as well with the First National and Alumni Cup (Midget and Junior) to be held in Saskatoon, SK.  The Ross Victory Cup (Sr Men) will be held in Montreal, Quebec.

The 2011 National Championships were awarded at this SAGM as well.  The Minto Cup will be held in Calgary by the Calgary Raiders.  Presidents Cup will be hosted by ILA; Founders Cup will be in Saskatoon; and Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget Nationals will be held in Whitby.

The 2011 Field Nationals have been awarded as well.  British Columbia will be the host for all Field Nationals.  The First National and Alumni Cup will be September long weekend and the Ross Victory Cup will be Thanksgiving weekend.  To qualify as a host for Field Nationals, the Province in the rotation must attend in the two years prior to the assigned year.

Equipment review is always on the agenda at CLA meetings.  In 2012, all nets used in play are to be manufactured to CLA specification and by a CLA approved manufacturer.  The CLA has a process to approve manufacturers to construct nets.   All nets are now to be red in color and the minimum net weight is 5mm.  The Junior B leagues will move to the 4’ x 4’6” nets.  Although currently, all sanctioned play is to use CLA approved manufactured balls.  In 2012, all balls will have one of three designations - “ CLA endorsed, approved or sanctioned”.  It is noted that NCAA balls are smaller in size.

In the coaching sector, Learning Facilitators will no longer be approved by the Member Association.  All approvals will go through the CLA office.  The CLA office will no longer accept photocopies of workbooks.

This was the year for rule changes.  New rule books are produced in odd years.  A few high lights are as follows.  If the helmet is knocked off a player, it is now a change in possession.  If a penalty occurs in the change area and the ball is not present the result is the applicable penalty and a game misconduct.  Time outs have moved to one minute.  Bench personal has increased to six people. A motion to introduce the 30 second shot clock during penalties for major lacrosse was defeated.

The CLA National Event calendar was approved.  This approval moves the Presidents Cup to Labour Day weekend.  Most National Championships are now on a rotation.  It was passed, at this meeting, that the CLA office must be notified in March of the year prior if the Member Association plans to host the National event.

Keith Talbot

ALA President