Statement of Facts surrounding 2024 Mann Cup

Western Lacrosse Association Statement of Facts

For full transparency, and to ensure fact-based dialogue regarding recent issues preceding and surrounding the Mann Cup, please find below an outline of details to shed a clearer and definitive light on the recent circumstances.

Fact: In the interests of genuine competitive integrity in the most iconic championship in Lacrosse, following joint discussions with the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) and Major Series Lacrosse (MSL), in June 2023, the Director of National Championships for Lacrosse Canada recommended to the WLA that a Lacrosse Canada policy change be made in order to properly classify BC as a “Type 2” province at the Senior A level, and thereby enable the WLA to pick up a maximum of three players from other WLA clubs for the Mann Cup – for the purposes of competitive balance and integrity.

Fact Similar Lacrosse Canada policies currently exist for Canadian National Championships at the Senior B, Junior A, and Junior B levels.

Fact: At Lacrosse Canada’s 2024 Semi-Annual meetings, May 26th, 2024, the British Columbia Lacrosse Association (BCLA) brought forward a policy proposal to classify BC as a “Type 2” province at the Senior A level and allow the WLA representative to pick up a maximum of three players from other WLA teams for the Mann Cup. The policy was to be effective in 2024, and was overwhelmingly approved by Lacrosse Canada Member Associations, by a vote of 10 to 1 (or 45 – 11 weighted vote), with the only dissenting vote being Ontario. This policy change was in the Lacrosse Canada’s Board of Director minutes May 26th.

Fact: The Lacrosse Canada Board of Directors met July 17, 2024; however, it is uncertain as to why the item was not on the agenda. Subsequently, on September 4th, while the Victoria Shamrocks were enroute to Toronto, the Lacrosse Canada Board conducted an e-vote, “disapproving” the policy previously passed by the membership 15 weeks earlier, thereby ruling Victoria Shamrocks pick-ups, Mike Messenger and Will Malcom, ineligible.

Fact: Following the e-vote and notification on Sept. 4th of a “disapproval” of the policy passed at Lacrosse Canada’s 2024 Semi-Annual meetings in May (initially posted on social media by Adam Levi), and the ruling of the ineligibility of Mike Messenger and Will Malcom, the BCLA, on behalf of the WLA and Victoria Shamrocks filed an appeal with Lacrosse Canada September 6th, challenging their ruling and decision. Lacrosse Canada denied hearing the appeal and instead refereed the BCLA to a third party, Safe Sport. (“At this time, we will not be accepting your appeal at the Lacrosse Canada level. This is a policy and is not appealable. If you wish to file with Safe Sport, you may proceed.”) Subsequently, upon review of materials, a representative of Safe Sport deemed that the appeal had merit and referred the BCLA to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC), to which both the BCLA and Lacrosse Canada agreed, including acceptance that the SDRCC’s ruling, and decision would be final & binding.

Fact: The appeal was heard by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) Monday Sept. 9th at 5:30 pm Eastern. Attendees included representatives from the SDRCC, Lacrosse Canada, the BCLA, and the Western Lacrosse Association, and the hearing was adjudicated by Mr. Dick Pound. Mr. Pound ruled in favour of the BCLA and WLA and therefore, the policy passed by the members May 26, 2024, stands as passed by the members, and Mike Messenger and Will Malcom were declared eligible to play in the Mann Cup.

Fact: It was determined that the Lacrosse Canada Board of Directors failed to comply with their own governance process and guidelines in “disapproving” the policy passed overwhelmingly by its members, and in doing so, they did not provide any justification or cogent evidence to support such a decision.


Context & Rationale

  • Lacrosse Canada’s Operations Policy states: “The objective of National Championships and Competitions is to enhance future competition.”
  • "National Championships and Competitions should be perceived as competitive, organized, and representative.”
  • There is a legitimate, fact-based “business case” for the BCLA/WLA representative to be able to pick up players in order to ensure consistent competitive integrity and financial success at the Mann Cup, the games’ most historically significant and iconic championship.
  • See BC_Ontario_Comparison_Sept-17-2024 for more information