VOLUNTEER AWARD

Candidates will be judged on their accomplishments towards fostering and promoting the game, and improving the image and stature of lacrosse both at their level of function as well as provincially. The amount of time and commitment the volunteer has dedicated to the sport of lacrosse shall be taken into consideration.

• Randy Malach – Prince Albert
• Dave Werrett – Prince Albert
• Lori Love – Regina
• Brian Kitts – Moose Jaw
• Sylvia Hamilton – Yorkton
• Roxane Pratt – Estevan
• Lisa Crowe – Swift Current
• Sheila Trobak – Saskatoon

RUSSELL SLOBODIAN MEMORIAL (ATHLETE OF THE YEAR) AWARD

This award is presented at the AGM to the player that best exemplifies the true spirit of Lacrosse.

This is translated to mean their work ethic, skill & determination, contribution to lacrosse both on and off the field and most importantly for their leadership skills as we believe this is important to the development of youth not only as athletes but also as human beings.

This award is named after Russell Slobodian who was born in 1967 in Ontario but was raised in Saskatoon. Russell was involved in sports his entire life even though he had a severe case of asthma which eventually cost him his life at the age of 21 as he passed away on July 8, 1989. He was a member of 1985 Saskatchewan Junior Provincial Team that attended the Canada Summer Games in St. John, N.B., which was the last year that Lacrosse was in the Canada Games. He was named an all-star In the 1986 Canadian Lacrosse Championships in Winnipeg. Lacrosse was his passion – he played with a great deal of enthusiasm and a high level of intensity. He had a strong desire to win and do his best, but sportsmanship and fairplay were his standard. As great as he was on the field – he was a true ambassador for the game of lacrosse. He volunteered his time by helping organize lacrosse and providing clinics for kids. The Saskatoon Lacrosse Association and the Sask. Lung Association use to hold a tournament in Russell’s name to raise money for children with Asthma to attend summer camps. Russell’s dad, Ron Slobodian stated that " It would have been Russell’s wish that they also could be active."

Nominees

• Prairie Gold Lacrosse League Play-off MVP & League All-Star for Mustangs
• 1^st team All-star at the Founder’s Trophy National Championships in Elora, Ontario
• David Mitchell of Moose Jaw was the only player from the prairie provinces to play for the 2003 Canadian Junior Men’s Field National Team, which captured the Silver medal at the World Championships in Baltimore.
• David has also achieved another Saskatchewan first by being recruited to attend Cornell University, which is a Division 1 NCAA Lacrosse school in the Ivy League Conference

Most importantly, David is a true ambassador for the game of lacrosse in Saskatchewan. He helped select the Peewee Box Provincial Team and also conducted a number of clinics over the past few years.

Other Deserving Nominees

• Chris Lesanko of Yorkton
• Kirk Malach of Prince Albert
• Javan Bexson of Prince Albert
• Brett Husky of Saskatoon

COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Candidates are chosen from the ranks of coaches irrespective of division level, league or winning record. They are judged on their accomplishments of instilling playing ability, sportsmanship and competitiveness in their players.

• One of only two box lacrosse course conductors in Saskatchewan – conducted courses in Swift Current, Prince Albert & Saskatoon
• Head Coach for the 1^st ever Saskatchewan Peewee Box Lacrosse Provincial Team with no kids on the team
• Coached the 2002 Peewee Provincial Champions – Saskatoon Flying Huskies

Other Deserving Nominees:

• Barry Stewart – Moose Jaw
• Dale Berner – Assiniboia
• Ian Livingston – Aberdeen
• Ken Hidlebaugh – Prince Albert
• Sheldon Kuebler – Swift Current
• Ted Warbeck – Estevan
• Bob Sullivan - Saskatoon

Candidates are chosen from the ranks of referees. They are judged on their achievements towards promoting sportsmanship and the image of the game.

• Refereed all levels of play from Tyke to Junior
• Mentor for young officials – supports the development of other officials

Other Deserving Nominees:

• Dorian Bush – Yorkton
• Corbett McCabe – Regina
• Terry Harding – Saskatoon
• Jeff Kitts – Moose Jaw
• Mike Houde – Swift Current
• Bob Dumonceaux - Saskatoon

SPONSOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award is presented to an individual person, non-profit, or corporate company that has helped promote and support programs, events, or leagues of the game of lacrosse at the local or provincial level.

• Donated a set of jerseys to MJLA minor lacrosse
• Major sponsor of Junior Tier 2 Mustangs
• Purchased goalie equipment
• Total Sponsorship in excess of $3,000

Other Deserving Nominees:

• GlobalLax – Regina
• Harris Oilfield – Jody Harris
• Pepsi – Saskatoon

MEDIA AWARD

This award is presented to a member or an organization of the media – radio, television, or newspaper regardless of size or frequency of publication, who is deemed to have contributed to the promotion of lacrosse.

• provided coverage of lacrosse in Prince Albert for past number of years
• footage of junior predators games
• announcements of registration dates and locations

Other Deserving Nominees:

This award is presented at the SLA AGM annually to the lacrosse club/association selected by the SLA President as having done the most to Promote and Develop Lacrosse in their Saskatchewan Community.

The following criteria were used in selecting the award recipient:

1. lacrosse promotion and development activities/initiatives executed in the community;
2. partnership building in the community (media, parks & recreation, service clubs);
3. increase sponsorship dollars year-over-year
4. increase in total player registration year-over-year
5. increase in volunteer base year-over-year increase in media exposure for lacrosse in community year-over-year