As the Victoria Shamrocks junior A and intermediate A teams gear up to start their respective lacrosse seasons, one major date comes up on their early calendar.
The John Crowther Memorial game will see the junior and intermediate Shamrocks, plus a Saanich midget team, play one period each against a squad of former Shamrock greats on Friday (April 22) at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre. The evening honours tradition and spotlights some up and coming young stars, as well as paying tribute to a great Victoria player whose life was cut far too short.
Crowther, a tremendous multi-sport athlete who led the senior Shamrocks to a Mann Cup crown in 1983, was brutally murdered in 1984 at the age of 22. His mother, Betty Crowther, will be on hand for Friday's festivities to take part in the ceremonial opening faceoff.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids six and up and $20 per family, plus any minor lacrosse player with their jersey on gets in free. Proceeds from the game go to the Shamrocks Alumni Association toward its various scholarships and other charitable projects.
The junior Shamrocks play an exhibition game against the Junior Timbermen in Chemainus at Fuller Lake Arena on Wednesday at 7 p.m., then open their B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League schedule on the road in Nanaimo on April 29. Their home opener goes April 30 at The Q Centre when they meet the Delta Islanders for a 5 p.m. game.
The intermediate Rocks open their regular season tomorrow (April 23) at The Q when the Port Coquitlam Saints come to town for a 1:30 p.m. game.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com