ELORA – There’s a movement afoot for the Elora Hawks Jr. B Lacrosse team to move up to the Junior A league – and over the weekend numerous local businesses pledged funds to help get them there.
It started with a chance conversation between team president Chris Redwood and Kat Florence owner Kristy Hillis.
After Redwood made a request for a modest sponsorship, Hillis turned the request to her husband Don Kogan, and Kogan met with the team’s executive to see how they could help.
The Hawks, previously called the Mohawks, changed their name earlier this year after concerns were raised about a non-Indigenous organization using an Indigenous name and image.
“I think most people understood that’s where we’re at in our world,” Redwood stated in an email.
In a phone interview, he said the Hawks would love to advance to the Junior A level.
That’s where the level of play amps up and where really good players could be scouted for professional teams.
And in the absence of a Junior A team here, many Elora Junior B players are being signed to A teams out of the region.
For a team to be considered to join the Junior A league, they need a strong minor system, strong fan support and a bit of a deep purse, Redwood said.
Between entry fees and other costs, Redwood said it could amount to $40,000 or $50,000 – if the application is accepted in the first place.
Last year the Hawks won the Founders Cup – the Junior B Canadian Lacrosse championship – after a fantastic season with nearly zero losses.
After learning more about lacrosse and its importance to the Centre Wellington community, Kogan was on board with funding some of the expense of moving to the A league.
“In the A division, you get community support behind you, you get televised, and it becomes a point of community pride,” Kogan said in an interview.
“But they have to earn it. So I said if they win the Canadian championship again this year, I’ll sign the cheque.”
So he’s challenged the team to win the Founders Cup again. And he challenged businesses to pledge what they can – the amount to be paid only if history repeats itself and the Hawks win the cup.
Although he loves sports, Kogan said he had never watched a lacrosse game and was amazed at what he saw at a recent game.
And he was surprised to see some 300 fans in the arena supporting their local team.
“These are the people that make Centre Wellington run. They are loyal to this sport, and it’s deeply rooted in them,” Kogan said.
“I know nothing of this sport, but for the community, it’s unbelievable.”
He could also understand the path to professional lacrosse usually goes through the Junior A division.
Given the calibre of the Elora Hawks and the fact the team is losing players to the bigger leagues, Kogan was on board. He hit up his contact list and the pledges poured in over the weekend.
The Elora Mohawks, now the Hawks, pose for a photo after winning the Founders Cup national junior B lacrosse championship last August in Hamilton. Facebook photo
Kat Florence got the ball rolling with a $50,000 pledge, the Ayershire Hotel pledged $10,000, and the Elora Mill threw in $20,000. Numerous other businesses chimed in with $1,000 or $2,000 pledges.
By May 12, about $100,000 had been raised.
All the team has to do now is win the Founders Cup, just like it did last year.
The final games are to be played in Calgary in August, so that’s no small hill for the Hawks to climb in a season that’s just started.
And then the team must be accepted into the Junior A league, which requires 90 per cent agreement from the other 11 Junior A teams, a process that “isn’t quick” according to Redwood.
Still, he’s stoked, the team is stoked, and it’s all within their grasp.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the support you’ve given us,” Redwood stated in an email to supporters.
“As we aim for victory in the Canadian Championship and a position in the Jr. A league, we are determined to make you all proud this year.
“Your encouragement is instrumental in our journey, and we are excited about the opportunity this creates for our homegrown players.
“Being able to play in front of our local fans until they’re drafted to the National Lacrosse League means the world to us.
“Thank you once again for believing in us. We will fight hard to achieve our goals.”
