Reality...redux... by Tsitshoh (Login tsitshoh) Moderator

She:kon!

Someone posted about Whitby being a backdoor team at this year's Minto Cup.  I explained the reality of the situation, which is the current format, the current funding models, etc.  That might not be the ideal to me, but I have learned to balance my ideals with the stark requirements of reality - what is.  At least for this  year.   With the way the Minto Cup is configured, the way the CLA is funded - by the Federal Government and it's constituent associations -  I can't really see anyone wanting to change the way it is now and  I certainly haven't heard any convincing arguments to make any changes. 

Today's game is played with full face-masks, plastic and metal sticks, by more players, watched by more people than ever before, from more corners of Canada than ever before.  30 years ago the game was floundering in Ontario, never mind the rest of the country.  So whatever tweaks were done to address the problems seemed to have worked, albeit imperfectly for everyone's tastes.  Oh well, such is life.  However, I believe there are more important fish to fry - in my case, spend my energy on - than fretting over the format of the Minto Cup. 

I think it was Ralston Saul - one of those progressives - who explained that our nation has sacrificed our East-West national identity to something more North-South.   Albertans et al now demand a full participatory seat on those issues in the nation which affect them and that includes sport and that includes lacrosse (and hockey, football, baseball, soccer, field hockey, ringette, etc., etc.)  Times have changed, as Saul points out, we aren't "30 years ago" anymore.

Alberta - whatever you may think of the competitive level of their Jr. A program - is here to stay.  Don't convince me, convince the ALA or RMLL they shouldn't be in the Minto Cup.   Alberta has TWO NLL teams, Ontario has one.  BC has none.  Say what you will, but the NLL is "the pros."  Lacrosse works in Alberta - that is good for the CLA, it is good for lacrosse in Canada and it is even good for lacrosse in Ontario.   Being inclusive in a national tournament is a reasonable approach.  Not perfect, not the best, not ideal - but reasonable.  I can live with that.

Skennen

...Tsitshoh...