Lacrosse New Brunswick Expands Programs and Celebrates Milestones in Box Lacrosse Growth

Lacrosse New Brunswick (LNB) continues to advance the development of box lacrosse across the province, marked by new programs, a growing participant base, and exciting opportunities for athletes and coaches of all ages.

Record U15 National Finish

A historic moment for New Brunswick’s box lacrosse occurred this year when the U15 provincial team achieved a 4th place finish at the Box Nationals, the highest placement ever for New Brunswick at the event. This achievement showcases the progress and potential within LNB's player development pathway, setting the stage for future success.

"It's a stepping stone for future success," said Chris Burgess, Technical Director of Lacrosse New Brunswick. "The performance of our U15 team has set the tone for what we can accomplish in the coming years."

Launching the Coaching Foundations & Futures Initiative

With the rapid growth of lacrosse participation in New Brunswick, LNB is also intensifying its efforts to develop coaches through the Coaching Foundations & Futures Initiative. This initiative targets coach development from grassroots to high-performance levels, optimizing mentorship and training to ensure coaches are equipped to guide players at every stage of their journey. By focusing on areas such as formal training, practice planning, season management, team culture, and various practical coaching tools and services, this initiative will build a strong foundation for sustained success across all levels of lacrosse in New Brunswick.

"Coach development is vital to the future of our sport," Burgess noted. "As more players join the lacrosse community, we need to ensure our coaches are equipped with the tools and knowledge to help them succeed both on and off the floor."

New Senior C and Junior B Teams Drive Competitive Opportunities

Lacrosse in New Brunswick is also witnessing a revival in senior competition. A dedicated group of athletes, led by Jack Boyle, is working to form a Senior C box lacrosse team, with the exciting possibility of hosting a resurrected Senior C National Championship in the province. This would mark a significant step in providing competitive opportunities for adult athletes, allowing them to continue competing at a high level.

Boyle, one of the key drivers behind the Senior C initiative, shared his passion for the program: "The competitive nature of our athletes in New Brunswick stays with us for life. I remember growing up on teams that had less than the quota for tryouts, but we still competed and beat rival provinces like Nova Scotia and much larger provinces like Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. We even found ourselves battling teams like Alberta and the Iroquois, games we had no business competing in, but we did. Those experiences built lifelong friendships across Canada."

He added, "It’s sad that we had to give that up at a young age due to geography. Senior leagues continue to grow in neighboring provinces, and it’s about time we resurrect our hidden talent in New Brunswick. Lacrosse is in our blood, and so is the desire for competition. Plus, we could all use a little exercise!"

In addition, efforts are underway to establish a Junior B team to compete in the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League B division (ECJLL-B). This would create a developmental system for U21 athletes in New Brunswick, with the Junior A Saint John Rapids continuing to compete in the ECJLL-A, and the Junior B team competeing in the ECJLL-B division.

"By having both an A team and a B team, we’re setting up a clear pathway for U21 athletes to develop and compete at higher levels," said Burgess. "It’s an exciting time to be a junior lacrosse fan in New Brunswick, as we build a system that will elevate the game and help more players reach their full potential."

Historic Return to the Founders Cup

In 2024, New Brunswick made a historic return to the Founders Cup, placing 7th at the national tournament. One of the standout moments came when New Brunswick secured a victory against the Victoria Shamrocks, a powerhouse in Canadian lacrosse.

"Our win over the Victoria Shamrocks was a statement of how far we’ve come in developing high-level lacrosse in New Brunswick," said Burgess. "However, despite that win, we lost in the ECJLL finals and came in 7th at the Founders Cup. We've made a statement, but we still have a lot of work to do."

Looking forward, New Brunswick plans to return to the Founders Cup in 2025, with a bid to host the event in 2026.

Canada Summer Games Preparations

The Canada Summer Games Teams for 2025 (both male and female) have successfully concluded their initial tryouts and begun training for the 2024-2025 off-season. These teams are focused on representing New Brunswick at the prestigious national event, preparing through a rigorous training and development schedule. The male team, led by Head Coach Jake Mosher-McGraw, saw over 40 athletes at the initial tryout phase. "We have some tough decisions ahead of us" said Mosher.

ACE and Goaltending Development Programs

Central to LNB's long-term athlete development is the Athlete Centered Excellence (ACE) program, which provides U17 athletes with expert coaching, strength and conditioning, and mental performance support.

An equally vital component is the Goaltending Development Program, which aims to fill a critical gap in New Brunswick lacrosse. Goaltender development has long been overlooked, but this program seeks to address that by providing specialized training for athletes in this unique and demanding position.

Evan Richtsfeld, a key driver for the program, explained its significance: "Goaltending in box lacrosse demands quick reflexes, sharp positioning, leadership on defense, and a strong mental game. Despite its importance, goaltender development hasn’t received enough focus in New Brunswick. This program is about building a pipeline of talented, well-trained goalies who can represent the province at the highest levels."

With clinics, expert coaching, and off-season development, the Goaltending Development Program ensures that New Brunswick’s goalies get the guidance they need to excel, ultimately raising the level of play across all teams in the province.

A Bright Future for Lacrosse in New Brunswick

With new teams, expanded programs, and exciting national competitions on the horizon, Lacrosse New Brunswick is building a foundation for sustained growth and success in the sport. Whether it's developing future coaches, launching new teams, or training the next generation of athletes, the future of lacrosse in New Brunswick has never looked brighter.

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