Update July 17, 2020 4:56 pm

School is done and summer is here, now we look towards summer plans.  And even better if they include time with Thunder teammates!

Langley Minor Lacrosse has been working diligently to have our players return to the sport we love.  While it may not be exactly the same as before COVID-19, we are looking forward to seeing you out there with stick in hand.

All required documentation has been submitted to the Township of Langley and we are waiting for contracts to be delivered any day.  Coaches are getting organized and Summer Development registration will be opening soon!

Watch our website and your inbox for updates when Registration opens!!

Update June 17, 2020 7:29 pm

 On June 11, our Provincial Sport Governing Body, the BC Lacrosse Association announced the Return to Lacrosse Activity.

 The BCLA Return to Lacrosse Committee worked with the BC Health Authority, viaSPort BC and other government regulatory agency guidelines, and the BCAL has reviewed and approved the BCLA Return to Lacrosse Phase 1 Guidelines.  The Lacrosse Guidelines are aligned with the viaSport BC’s Return to Sport Guidelines.

 LMLA Members, this is all wonderful news but we still have a ways to go before we have kids with sticks in hand however this week presented some good news community lacrosse in BC.

 Where we are at:   

  • BCLA has released a detailed Return to Lacrosse Plan
  • The Provincial Government has provided a solution to the liability issue for Community Sports Associations.
  • At this time all Langley facilities, including turf and boxes remained closed and unbookable for LMLA.  LEC has closed their arena and fieldhouse until September. 
  • There are currently no sanctioned and insured lacrosse programs running in BC
  • When we return to activity, the 2-meter physical distancing measure is still in place, there will be hygiene restrictions, and there will be no competition given the 2-meter distancing rule.  Any return to activity will be based on drills and skill development activities.

 Next Steps:

  • We are reviewing the newly released information covering the BCLA, Public Health, Worksafe, ViaSport protocols.
  • Our municipality is working on re-opening facility plans (each facility has different requirements) which LMLA hopes to see soon.
  • We have been in contact with all facility operators, and will continue to stay in communication to ensure prompt access to facilities.
  • LMLA will be presenting Langley Township with our plan that takes the various governing bodies and Township’s requirements into consideration.
  • Langley Township will need to approve and then allocate facility time to LMLA.

 There are many issues in play and new requirements to meet.  If all goes well, we are optimistic LMLA will be able to offer lacrosse programming in July.

 We ask for your continued patience as your LMLA board continues to work towards having our players return to lacrosse activities in Langley.  In the meantime, please remember to respect current provincial health guidelines when out in public by maintaining physical distance and small group sizes when meeting friends.

Sincerely,

Sandra Margetson

President, LMLA

Update May 29, 2020 9:14 am

Dear Thunder Families,

On behalf of the Executive I would like to thank you for your ongoing patience as we progress through the new landscape of youth sports.

A few days ago , the BCLA announced their decision to cancel the 2020 BCLA Minor Box Lacrosse Provincial Championship, and as such there will be no box lacrosse league play  in 2020.    For full details please read the BCLA Presidents Message from May 22, 2020.

At this time we are authorized to process registration fee refunds for  the 2020 Box Lacrosse Season.  LMLA will be processing  refunds for all players, minus an $85 per player Administration fee to cover unrecoverable expenses such as player insurance.  We ask for you understanding that it will take some time to process all the refunds as we have several hundred to do.  All refunds will be by cheque, not e transfer or pay pal . If you were registered for the 2020 Box Lacrosse Season, you can expect further communications on your refund from our treasurer .

While the 2020 Box Lacrosse   game season is cancelled, we are still working towards a Return to Activities for Lacrosse in BC.  Our provincial governing body is working with Via Sport, the BC Health Authority, the Sport Branch and other government regulatory agencies.  You can review the details and requirements of a Return to Activities on the viaSport website, as well as reading the FAQ’s with regards to resuming youth sports in BC.  Please be aware that Langley Minor Lacrosse is considered a Local Operator, and as such we are not allowed to offer any activities until our sport sector plan is reviewed and approved by public health officials.  As we are not a private operator, we can not start training or play in the same manner as private sporting organizations that do not fall under the purview of a provincial sport governing body. Langley Minor Lacrosse is a not for profit youth sports organization and a member  of the BC Lacrosse Association.

Facilities, run by local governments, such as the Township of Langley, are not currently taking bookings from private groups or organized groups.  The local governments also have to review and have approval on what is required of them to rent out to groups.  While outdoor spaces (such as fields) are open to the public for ad hoc or personal user, no groups (small, large, private or non profit) are able to book use of these outdoor facilities.

Langley Minor Lacrosse encourages players and their families to stay active, while observing the public health guidelines set out by our Provincial Government and Provincial Health Authority.  It is okay to use the fields to throw the ball around, but ensure it is done in small groups and that you maintain recommended distances from each other.

As we learn more about what Return to Activities options can be offered, we will continue to provide updates.

Respectfully

Sandra Margetson

President

Langley Minor Lacrosse

Update May 13, 2020 5:00pm

Dear Langley Thunder Families 

On behalf of myself and the LMLA Executive I would like to thank you for your patience over the last few months while our association, along with all of BCLA, try to navigate these uncertain times.

At this time we do not have a final update as to what the BCLA will be providing with a Return to Activities Plan.  BCLA has indicated that Associations should not be issuing mass refunds as they do want to offer some form of activities to the community, and the 2020 Box Lacrosse Season has not been officially cancelled.  Only the BCLA has the authority to cancel a season.   BC Associations are expecting another update by the end of May.  The BCLA has been waiting to see what the Provincial Health Authority releases in regards to loosening restrictions, in conjunction with working with other Provincial Sport Authorities on the Lacrosse Return to Activities Plan. All BC Minor Lacrosse Associations are in the same situation.

It is the goal of LMLA to offer lacrosse to our players this season as soon as we are given the guidance and policies to follow. We are working on securing floor time to accommodate all the necessary space for our players to safely begin to play lacrosse again and would like to encourage all players and families to remain registered if possible so they may participate in these sessions.

In the meantime, Langley Minor Lacrosse has posted some training materials on our website and we  are working on  the possibility of delivering an at home training app, so that players can  continue training,  interact with coaches and teammates. 

http://www.langleythunder.ca/player-development/

While no decisions have been made by CLA  or the BCLA, regarding what the season will look like Langley Minor Lacrosse recognizes that there are families that regardless of the decision will be requesting a refund for the season.

If you would like to fully withdraw your player from the association, with the expectation that you will not be engaging in any lacrosse activities for this season, please contact Heidi Lai, our registrar, at registrar@langleythunder.ca with that request.  We will issue refunds, we will not be holding on to funds as a credit for subsequent activities/seasons.  2020 Box Registration fees will be refunded with an administrative hold back of $85 per player.  This amount covers costs already incurred, that can not be recovered, such as player insurance and administration fees.

We will continue to update everyone  as soon as we are provided further information from BCLA.

Sincerely 

Sandra Margetson, President LMLA

Update April 1, 2020  4:45pm

An update was released April 1, 2020 by the BC Lacrosse Association and the Canadian Lacrosse Association.

Our parent body, the BCLA is continuing the  postponement of all in-person lacrosse activities until May 1, 2020.  Per Gerry Van Beek, BCLA President “It is too early for any decision on whether the box lacrosse season, or some format of the box lacrosse season, will take place”. LMLA is in communication with our League (the Lower Mainland Minor Lacrosse Commission), other Lacrosse Associations and the BCLA reviewing possible options for a 2020 Box Lacrosse season.

We will continue to communicate with our members as more information becomes available or decisions are made.

Review the full BCLA President’s Message or the CLA Statement on COVID-19.

Update March 20 11:42am

We hope that you and your family are doing well as we navigate these uncertain times.

Many levels of Lacrosse, from the CLA, BCLA to ourselves here with Langley Minor Lacrosse, are still working towards playing lacrosse this season.  Langley worked hard during the pre-season weeks with evaluations, equipment and uniform organization, finding coaches and resourcing facilities.  If given the go ahead we are ready to quickly start up lacrosse activities.

At this time there is no clear indication when we will be able to resume activities.  Facilities are closed down and we are being directed to practice social distancing and convene in groups.  We are hopeful that our season can start sooner rather than later, but will need to await direction from government and our own lacrosse governing bodies. We don’t know when, or what our season will look like once we can start playing again.

Our commitment to our members is to keep you updated as information is received and decisions are made, and to ensure that we have the best season possible given the parameters we are currently facing.

Update March 17, 2020 9:37am

As of 8pm, Monday March 16 all Township rec centres, arenas, pools, fitness centres, gyms, meeting rooms are closed until further notice. This decision was made by the Township of Langley yesterday.

For updates on COVID 19 and the Township of Langley, please check their Information page.

Update March 16, 2020 3:20pm

Given the mandate of the Province of BC’s further ban on gatherings of groups of more than 50 people, the BC Lacrosse Association Board is issuing a directive that all lacrosse activities are suspended until further notice. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

For full details, please visit the Memo posted on the BCLA Website.

Update March 13, 2020 4:30pm

After reviewing the direction of the BCLA , other provincial and national sporting associations Langley Minor Lacrosse has decided to put all pre season activities temporarily on hold.

All preseason games, practices, evaluations or any other association sponsored activities are cancelled immediately up to and including March 30, 2020.

We will continue to be vigilant and make decisions as more information is available, providing updates as we know more.

Update March 13, 2020 11:49am

Many have been asking for direction or status updates as to how COVID-19 will affect our lacrosse season.  At this time we are continuing to check in with our parent governing bodies, the BCLA and the CLA, for direction.    We are also in contact with our facility operators to ensure all parties are kept up to date with needed information.  We will provide an update as/when information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience as we deal with this unprecedented situation.

Posted in COVID 19