Chris Vale, Correspondent The Kaitlyn Cup
Lacrosse is Awesome
The second annual Kaitlyn Cup took place on January 27th and it was nothing short of a fantastic time. The day was spent with some great master’s lacrosse; a tournament get together at Jack Astor restaurant; and a free trip to watch a NLL Eastern Conference match up with the hometown Toronto Rock hosting the New England Black Wolves.
The Kaitlyn Cup was created in 2017 by Chris Cooke and his daughter Kaitlyn. A star field lacrosse goalie, Kaitlyn entered high school in ninth grade and wanted to start a team at her new school. The 2017 tournament helped pave the way to make her dream come true. Percy Johnson High School with the help of the Kaitlyn Cup was able to start their lacrosse program in the Spring of 2017.
Now a sophomore and with the help of her dad Chris a longtime box goalie and lacrosse lifer put on another tournament to keep the team going. This time they were able to get in touch with the Toronto Rock and booked the floor at the Air Canada Centre before the Toronto Rock game. They got to play at home for a great cause; and they saw some great master’s lacrosse with teams from Six Nations; the Toronto Lighting League; and the Toronto Police players from all over Southern Ontario, the greater Toronto and Durham areas.
For me, this has to be one of my favorite experiences in the eighteen years as a lacrosse player. Not only was I able to play in the same arena as the Toronto Rock but the Centre is also the home to other professional sports franchises, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.
The Championship match up saw two returning teams, both undefeated: the Lone Wolfs made up of free agents to the tournament; and the Rock JR and yes they had Dwayne the Rock Johnson on their uniforms. They faced off in a solid match up which Rock JR were crowned the 2018 Kaitlyn Cup Champions.
Lacrosse is an amazing sport. The friends you meet along the way; being able to get together; and helping grow the game for the youth…there is nothing better.
The tournament included tee shirt sales and raffle draws raising $3500.00 for the Percy Johnson lacrosse team. Thanks to Chris, Kaitlyn and the rest of the Cooke family for putting this tournament together. We will see you again in 2019.
Chris Vale, Correspondent The Kaitlyn Cup
Lacrosse is Awesome