For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
CALGARY, AB- The Okotoks Jr. A Raiders got the news they were looking for over the weekend when they were granted final approval on their bid for the 2011 Minto Cup.
“To have Okotoks host the Minto in the summer of 2011 provides the people of Okotoks a sense of accomplishment,” said Brad Banister, President and General Manager of the Calgary Roughnecks.
“This is basically the Memorial Cup of lacrosse and to be able to come out and watch this championship take place in our back yard will be amazing.”
The Raiders first requested to host the Minto Cup in January, sending their bid to the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League (RMLL). The Edmonton Miners also submitted a bid.
The RMLL chose to endorse Okotoks’ bid and it was sent onto the Alberta Lacrosse Association who also endorsed it. The Raiders were just waiting on final approval from the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA).
Okotoks will be hosting the Minto Cup from August 20th-28th, 2011 at Centennial Arena.
“I hope all of Okotoks will come out and watch and get behind this National event as the lacrosse world will be watching as well,” added Banister.
“NCAA College recruiters, National Lacrosse League scouts and Senior A team reps from across North America will be here to watch the four best lacrosse teams in the country.”
According to Banister, being given the chance to host one of Canada’s oldest championships is quite the achievement. Raiders’ President and Owner David Fehr agrees with Banister.
“We really believe that the Minto Cup will be a great event and has the potential to have positive benefits for the Roughnecks, Raiders, the Okotoks community and the growth of the game of lacrosse,” said Fehr.
This will be the Raiders first time hosting the coveted Minto Cup event, which will in turn help promote and expose Southern Alberta to the best of amateur lacrosse.
This year’s Minto Cup is being held in Coquitlam, B.C.
The Minto Cup has been awarded each year since 1960 to the top Canadian Junior A lacrosse team. It was first awarded in 1901 to the top professional team in the nation.
The Junior A Raiders lacrosse club was established in 2002 and held its inaugural season in 2003. The Raiders are not only the 2005 Alberta Champions, but are the 2009 silver medalists.
“This national competition will be the most significant sporting event ever held in Okotoks and will have a lasting impact on the sporting culture of the community,” commented Fehr.
“It will provide the youth of this great town, and the surrounding area, with an opportunity to observe athletes from across this country playing our National Summer Game at its highest level.”
The Raiders currently sit first in their division with a strong 7-0 record, four wins ahead of the second place Jr. A Eclipse.
For more information, contact:
David Fehr
President/Owner
Okotoks Jr. A Raiders
Phone: (403) 852-3627
dl.fehr@shaw.ca
Brad Banister
President/GM
Calgary Roughnecks
Phone: (403) 589-4677
bradb@calgaryroughnecks.com
Bruce Codd
Head Coach
Okotoks Jr. A Raiders
Phone: (403) 874-9014
ala_lax2@telus.net
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