Sports Briefs - July 2015

THOMPSON HELPS RUSH CAPTURE TITLE

Thanks in part to Jeremy Thompson, the Edmonton Rush managed to capture its first National Lacrosse League (NLL) championship in franchise history.

Thompson, a member of the Onondaga Nation, and his teammates won the NLL title on June 5, thanks to an 11-10 victory over the Toronto Rock. With the win, Edmonton swept the best-of-three championship final in the minimum two matches.

The Rush cruised to a 15-9 triumph over the host Rock in the first game of the championship series on May 30.
For Edmonton, which joined the league in 2006, it was the club’s first NLL crown.

Thompson, a 28-year-old who was in his fourth NLL season, did not register a point in Game 2 of the final. But he did score twice and also added an assist in the opening match of the series.
Thompson had appeared in all 18 of Edmonton’s regular season contests this season. He earned 15 points, including eight goals in those matches.
He added four points (three goals, one assist) in the five Rush playoff contests.
For Thompson, who was also a member of the Iroquois Nationals that captured the bronze medal at the 2014 world men’s field lacrosse championships in Colorado, this marked his third season in Edmonton. He had spent his rookie season in the NLL with the Buffalo Bandits.

The Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO)
is seeking submissions from communities looking to host the 2016 Ontario Aboriginal Summer Games.
Organizers anticipate about 500 athletes will take part in these provincial games. Some of the events will serve as a qualifier or a means to identify potential athletes that will represent Ontario at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games.
A site for the 2017 NAIG has yet to be announced. But there is a good chance that event will be held in Toronto as it was the only city that submitted a bid to host that multi-sport competition.
ASWCO officials are suggesting the provincial Games be staged sometime during the first two weeks of July, subject to the availability of facilities in the host community. It is anticipated the Games will last four to five days.
There are currently eight proposed sports for the provincial Games. They are archery, athletics (track and field), badminton, canoeing/kayaking, golf, rifle shooting, swimming and wrestling.
Officials from those communities submitting a bid are welcome to propose additional sports or demonstration sports they would like to include in the Games.
Meanwhile, the host community for next year’s Ontario Aboriginal Summer Games is expected to be announced on Sept. 7.
Final bid submissions are due July 17. Members of the bid review committee will then venture out of site visits throughout August.

Early indications are various Six Nations lacrosse teams could be in store for some more championship glory this year.
In 2014 three Six Nations clubs won their national titles while another squad advanced to the finals at its Canadian tournament.
For starters, the Six Nations Chiefs, won their second consecutive Mann Cup title, annually awarded to the top Senior men’s team in Canada.
The Chiefs will in all likelihood be a force again this year. The club did lose its season opener, primarily because the majority of its key players were unavailable for the contest as they were finishing off their campaigns with their pro National Lacrosse League squads.
But after dropping the season opener the Chiefs reeled off four straight wins.
As for the Six Nations Junior A Arrows, who captured the national Minto Cup last year, they were off to a solid 8-1 start this year. The Arrows were sitting atop the standings in their 11-team Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) circuit with the 8-4 Peterborough Lakers, who had played three extra games.
Meanwhile, the Six Nations Jr. B Rebels appear keen to defend their national Founders Cup crown. The Rebels were sporting a perfect 16-0 mark in their OLA loop.
As for the Six Nations Senior B Rivermen, they were the runners-up at their national Presidents’ Cup tournament. This season the Rivermen appear keen to return to the Canadian tourney as they were off to a 7-2 start, good for top spot in their seven-squad Ontario league.
Also, though there is no Canadian tournament it can advance to, Six Nations’ Junior C club is proving it will be one of the favourites to win its Ontario league.
This squad was undefeated after 10 regular season contests.