Senior lacrosse is being revived in Vernon.

And Kelowna.

That91裸聊视频檚 good news for the Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League which, in 2018, dwindled to two teams 91裸聊视频� the Armstrong Shamrocks and Kamloops Rattlers.

The Kelowna Raiders are returning to the senior circuit after taking a leave of absence for 2018. The Raiders reached the Shaw Cup final in 91裸聊视频�17, losing in three straight games to the Shamrocks.

The Vernon Senior Tigers are rejoining the loop after a six-year hiatus, having last participated in the league in 2012.

91裸聊视频淚 figured it was now or never,91裸聊视频� said Brennan Plante, 28, a Vernon native who is a runner with the Shamrocks, of his efforts to revive senior lacrosse in his hometown. 91裸聊视频淲ith the Kelowna junior team folding (as they did in 2018), there wasn91裸聊视频檛 much lacrosse left. And if there wasn91裸聊视频檛 a three- or four-team senior league this year, the league would die and then senior lacrosse in the Okanagan would likely not exist again.

91裸聊视频淭rying to get four cities to make expansions teams would be next to impossible.91裸聊视频�

Plante was a rookie with the Tigers in 2012. After the team folded, he joined the Shamrocks.

It was during last year91裸聊视频檚 shortened season, where the Shamrocks and Rattlers played six games against each other 91裸聊视频� rather, five games; Kamloops cancelled once due to a shortage of players 91裸聊视频� and no post-season when Planted began to think about resurrecting the senior Tigers.

91裸聊视频淓ven a three-team league wasn91裸聊视频檛 fun, but a four-team league is pretty good,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲hen Kelowna dropped out at the last second last year, leaving just Armstrong and Kamloops, I thought, 91裸聊视频極h man, we91裸聊视频檙e in trouble.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

Plante said he has solid commitments from about 12 players, and solid maybes from six more, to help bring back the Tigers. He91裸聊视频檚 looking to graduates of the Vernon Junior Tigers program to help solidify the roster.

91裸聊视频淣ow that we have a four-team league, I think it will persuade some more people to come forward,91裸聊视频� said Plante. 91裸聊视频淓ven though we91裸聊视频檒l be an expansion team, we should have lots of talent from the Junior Tigers, who have been winning championships, coming up. I think the Vernon team will be competitive if all people that say they91裸聊视频檙e coming out come out.91裸聊视频�

Vernon and Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 inclusion in the league for 2019 is welcome news to the Shamrocks.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a great thing for the league to be back up to four teams,91裸聊视频� said longtime Shamrocks goalie/executive Chad Pieper. 91裸聊视频淭he players will be more into it and the schedule works better with four teams.91裸聊视频�

The Shamrocks won the five-game season series against Kamloops in 2018. Pieper said they expect to lose Plante and Craig Bigsby to Vernon, but will have a full roster.

There is drop-in lacrosse every Thursday at 8 p.m., free of charge, at Armstrong91裸聊视频檚 Hassen Arena for all Vernon and Armstrong junior and senior players.

Anybody interested in joining the Senior Tigers can express their interest on the team91裸聊视频檚 Facebook page, Vernon Sr. Tigers 2019 comeback.

BANNER NIGHT

The Vernon Tigers senior team that won three straight B.C. and Canadian Senior B lacrosse championships from 1976-78 will be honoured with a special banner recognition ceremony.

A banner commemorating the team91裸聊视频檚 achievements has been raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place, and on Saturday, Feb. 9, prior to the Vernon Vipers91裸聊视频� B.C. Hockey League home game against the Penticton Vees, a number of the Tigers will be introduced on the red carpet for a ceremonial puck drop.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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