The new president of the Ridge Meadows Burrards minor lacrosse association said his job is to try and keep improving an organization that has been on an upswing.
Ron Williams was a coach in the association, and later held the head coach position on the executive, responsible for recruiting, training and overseeing the Burrards’ bench bosses.
He was off the executive last year, but returns with the top job.
Williams said his job is to continue the good work of past-president Lance Andre and the outgoing executive, which he praised for growing the association to where it is the second largest in the province – behind only Coquitlam, which is one of the country’s great lacrosse hotbeds.
There were 520 local kids playing box lacrosse last year, and another 150 signed up for field lacrosse.
“The last executive did a really good job of moving us from a smaller club to where we are today,” Williams said.
Not only that, Maple Ridge teams are known as tough to beat.
Burrard teams won more medals at the provincial level than any other club, and that included gold medals in the bantam A1 and bantam female divisions.
He notes there were 12 girls from the Burrards playing for Team B.C.
With 100 girls playing, and six teams, it has been an area of growth for the association.
“We’ve had some huge successes with that.”
Lacrosse also remains a comparatively affordable sport.
Mini-tykes, the youngest level for kids born in 2008 and 2009, can try their first season for $125.
That rises to $255 for midgets (1998-1999).
“My goal is to make people feel more involved and connected in the club, and make it more cohesive,” said Williams.
“I want to really try to make it more open – like everyone thinks it’s their club.”
Williams said Andre is a personal friend, and remains a valuable resource to the Burrards.
“He’s helpful and still very involved,” he said.
“He’s knowledgeable in all areas of the club, and lacrosse in general.”
Andre remains the president of the Burrards’ Western Lacrosse Association team.
The Burrards are running field lacrosse at present, but the box season is already gearing up – the deadline for coaching applications is the end of this month.
Boxla rep tryouts will come in February, and the season starts in April.
• Registration is open, and information is available online at www.rmburrards.com.
