January 8th 2020

For immediate release

The Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League entered into an agreement this week to contract the Barrie Lakeshores Junior A franchise, as previously reported on our social media accounts. This will see the league move to 11 teams for the upcoming 2020 season.

Over the last two days, a statement was shared by the league on social media that does not reflect the position of the Ontario Junior A Lacrosse League. We wholeheartedly apologize for the comment that insinuated the surrounding minor lacrosse clubs are to blame for the elimination of the Barrie Lakeshores franchise from our league. Before the posting on social media the prepared statement was not reviewed by our Board of governors. The content did not represent our values or what we stand for as a league.

We would like to offer our most sincere apology to the Barrie Minor Lacrosse Association. We have a great deal of respect and admiration for all of the volunteers who work tirelessly to grow the game of lacrosse in their local communities and we are deeply sorry that their efforts were called into question. 

Our teams are privileged to have such passionate and loyal minor teams that support them in so many ways. We do not take that for granted. The Creator’s game was a gift for all to enjoy and that is our philosophy, to promote the growth of lacrosse, not deter it.”