After asking Sue about how we might about starting our own hometown lacrosse association, she suggested I contact Dieter Kirner, long-time lacrosse volunteer, ref, & executive. Dieter was there when the old Oshawa minor crashed in the early 80's, had won a Founders Cup at the helm of the Clarington Green Gaels, and at that time, was the President of Uxbridge Minor Lacrosse.
The reasons for wanting to restart minor lacrosse were many, but the advice Dieter gave me that day proved to be completely true and totally invaluable - it was a LOT of work! Dieter became our first president.
{email addresses redacted for privacy}
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From: "todd.powless@
To: dwk@
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 8:37:18 AM
Subject: Question.
Hey Dieter,
I would appreciate it if this could remain betwixt us for now. Just a
fairly simple question that a few people have asked me already and I
figured you'd be the person best positioned to provide an answer.
How would one go about starting a new minor lacrosse association? I
know there are some processes and procedures from the OLA point of view,
pretty straight forward (most of the time) but if this new association
could start a rep program in their first year, would they be allowed to;
and would it be best to start a new association by offering programs at
all levels or just the younger ages to start?
Your insight/advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Todd Powless
Oshawa, ON
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From: Dieter KIRNER <dwk@rogers.com>
Sent: June 25, 2009 9:34 AM
To: Powless, Todd A [ON]
Subject: Re: Question.
Todd - I will keep this quiet - it's obvious some people want to start up Oshawa
Lacrosse & I do believe that is long over due - I have been thinking about this myself for
some time - it is a good idea & it would be looked upon most favourably by the OLA if
the right people were involved - I can help you but caution you about 2 main things to
start, firstly, it needs to be the right people to get the OLA's help & to get it going &
secondly, it is a shit-load of work so do not let anyone tell you differently - there have
been several aborted attempts at this in the past (none involving me) & all have simply
backed out due to the daunting nature of the task & the extended time frames involved -
one of the main problems is the time-frame in that it is unlikely you could get going on it
before the 2011 season even if you start the ball rolling now - OLA may tell you
differently but you need to take my word for that - what looks straighforward IS NOT -
I'm sure an application would be seen much more favourably if it were H/L & Rep, in
other words a FULL Association - if the application is viewed as an attempt by parents
to get their Rep players away from Whitby or Clarington then it would not fly - it is
ALWAYS best to start as young as possible - it is ALWAYS best to start with a full-
blown H/L & full association - this requires you to have some very experienced people
involved as you would have no time to reinvent the wheel - I live in Oshawa as you
know & do have an interest in this as I said - I would be willing to sit down with possible
stakeholders for a casual discussion whether I ended up being involved or not & would
be willing to help in the set-up in an advisory capacity whether I was directly involved or
not - also, as you well know, I am not the best-liked person in Lacrosse but I do believe
that I command the level of experience & respect that the OLA would want in someone
involved in this kind of venture.
Dieter