It's one Ladner Pioneer great in for another as the Delta Intermediate "A" Islanders have made a coaching change for the coming 2013 season.
Tim Winter will be behind the bench after coaching a number of years in the Delta Minor Lacrosse system, including at the Midget A1 level last season. He replaces Sam Thauli who will remain with the Islanders by serving on their board of directors.
Both Winter and Thauli were local lacrosse standouts including longtime stints with the Pioneers. Winter began as an offensive standout then spent the latter half of his career as a defensive shutdown specialist.
"Tim brings to the club a tremendous amount of knowledge, skill and determination, all attributes he demonstrated as a player and a coach," said Islanders general manager Jamie Scott. "Tim has coached all levels of minor lacrosse, B.C. Summer Games teams and was a special adviser to Team B.C. for the Canadian Midget Nationals.
"We would like to thank Sam for his hard work and his support over the past few years."
Winter will get the opportunity to coach his son Mitch who is moving up to the Intermediate ranks after helping Team B.C. win silver at the Midget Nationals last summer.
Boxla bits. .After being in hiatus since 2010, the B.C. Junior "A" Lacrosse League draft is slated to return on Jan. 27.
The draft is for graduating midget age players whose home associations are not affiliated with junior "A" teams. It was introduced to help bring more parity to the league and has proved to be beneficial to the Islanders' emergence as one of the league's top teams. Previous Delta draft picks include: Mike Mallory (Maple Ridge), Eli McLaughlin (Surrey) and Mike Henry (Kamloops).
.The Canadian Lacrosse Association's board of directors have approved rule changes that will see fighting no longer tolerated.
Starting in 2013, any player who engages in a fight will be given an automatic major penalty and a game misconduct.
If an instigator or clear aggressor penalty is assessed, the non-offending player will not receive a game misconduct.
"The rule change allows our athletes to showcase the sport that we all love and keeps the focus on the aspects that make our sport so great - speed, athleticism, and skill. Lacrosse is the quickest game on two feet, played by some of the most passionate and athletic participants in any sport.," said CLA president Joey Harris.
