Lacrosse NS - 2017 Award Winners

After careful consideration, our committee has selected the following nominees as the 2017 Award Winners:

Volunteer of the Year: Joseph Swann

A well known face in the NS lacrosse community, Joe Swann is a tireless volunteer. Joe has served as the VP of Operations for Lacrosse NS for the past four years. During his time on the LNS Executive Joe has assisted in the organization’s growth, and has helped implement and oversee important policy changes, as well as programming that LNS runs. In addition to his administrative work with Lacrosse NS, Joe also found time to coach, volunteering his time with local club teams and provincial teams over the past several years. In addition to his coaching, Joe has also been an official with the Men’s Field Lacrosse League for several years, as well as in the Metro Minor Lacrosse League, helping to mentor young referees. As of the AGM this past February, Joe will be leaving the LNS Board, but we are sure we will see Joe in one way or another via his many other lacrosse related volunteerism.

Thank you for all of your support and dedication over the years, Joe!

Team of the Year: 2017 Bantam Boys Provincial Team

The Bantam Boys provincial team are Lacrosse NS’ Team of the Year. Having attended the Bantam Boys National Championships in Saskatoon, Sask. this past season, the Boys compiled a record of 2-4-1 (W-L-T), including a notable tie game against Team First Nations, by a score of 9-9. Playing strong, and with several close games under their belt, the Bantam Boys team went on to win the ‘B’ Division Gold Medal, defeating the host province, Saskatchewan, by a score of 4 – 2 in their final game of the tournament. With this result, the Bantam Boys had the highest placing position at a Bantam Boys National Championship in Nova Scotian history!

Coach of the Year: Sean Kent

Sean Kent is Lacrosse NS’ Coach of the Year. Sean helped lead the Bantam Boys Provincial Box Lacrosse Team to a ‘B’ Division Gold Medal at the Bantam Boys National Championships. Sean has been a fervent lacrosse coach and volunteer over the past several years, and is also one of Lacrosse NS’ highest trained coaches, having achieved the certification level of Competition Introduction – Certified.

Sean has been an active coach in Eastern Shore for many years and the fruits of his labour are very visible in the athletes playing in the ECJLL. He is a strong tactical coach and has the ability to generate buy in from his athlete’s. Sean has also done a great job in mentoring coaches; helping and encouraging younger coaches to develop into future Provincial Head Coaches. 

Official of the Year: Terry Clarke

Terry is an invaluable contributor to lacrosse in NS. He is president of the NSLOA and is always able to support lacrosse NS for the presentation of the official clinics to help and development of all officials from junior to senior.  Terry represented NS at the 2017 Female Box Nationals hosted in NS, and was highly complimented on each and every one of his games. Terry is always helping and giving back, early in the season Terry can be found on the floor help our new officials gain confidence in their game and setting them up for success and progressing to later in the season he will be found in the stands doing evaluations for all of our officials and helping to support and grow their knowledge.
 
Male Athlete of the Year: Liam McGrath

Liam McGrath is Lacrosse NS’ Male Athlete of the Year. 2017 was quite the season for Liam, having played on the Midget Boys Provincial Box Lacrosse Team, helping to lead that team to the ‘B’ Division Gold Medal in August of last year. In October, Liam was the lone Nova Scotian selected to U17 Team Canada, playing at the 2017 Heritage Cup against the Iroquois Nationals, beating them by a score of 25-7, Liam contributed 2 goals and 2 assists and did a great job representing Nova Scotia.

Liam also played in the ECJLL as an underage player and led the Mi’kmaq Warriors with 20 goals and 18 assist. Liam has worked hard over the past few seasons to separate himself from the pack and has promising lacrosse future ahead of him.

Female Athlete of the Year: Jessie Hynes

Jessie had 8 goals and 3 assists at U18 Women's Field Invitational Nationals in 2017, which placed her 12th in the overall point getters at the tournament.  She had the most points of any NS player.  She had 43 goals and 18 assists in 13 games during the MMLL Regular Season 2017.
Jessie’s commitment to field and box lacrosse have made her a leader here in Nova Scotia. She has strong leadership skills, and helps others around her get better. Jessie’s work ethic and skill set have allowed her to set herself apart from the crowd.

Lacrosse NS would like to congratulate our Award winners and all the nominees for being recognized in 2017 as having a great year and for contributing something special to their teams, their clubs, their organizations and to the sport of lacrosse in NS.

All award winners will be invited, as guests of Lacrosse NS to attend the Sport NS – Support 4 Sport Awards, being held May 26^th at the Halifax Convention Centre.