TRYING TO RESTORE TRUST; A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR LACROSSE CANADA

by Pierre Filion   pierrefilion@bell.net 

When trust is lost it takes a lot of time to recapture it. That is Lacrosse Canada’s challenge at this time as there are some indications that the Board of Directors is trying to discover a new pathway to improved relationships with the members. At least this is what the latest Board minutes seem to be telling us.

I remember, some years ago, at a CLA meeting with the Board and the members, where the issue of trust was the main topic. I remember the embarrassment, the silences, words not spoken, people not looked at, the twisting and turning over the pot and mostly the polite and diplomatic animosity that culminated in the issue not being addressed. And everyone leaving with some sort of sorrow and guilt of not having had the courage to address the issue. Some sort of a collective humiliation, of a shy resentment, of a failed group therapy and of a missed opportunity.

Trust is a matter that is difficult to address even when the evidence is overwhelming. Even when both parties see the evidence but prefer to call it with other names; lack of communication, failure to deliver, inopportune timing, not quite telling the truth, lack of resources, personal problems, need to work together, dreadful silence, shameful silence and even long silences! …You get the idea!

What do the Board minutes tell us?

They tell us about trust but mostly they tell us that Lacrosse Canada is in a ‘’recapture mode’’ where it chooses not to address the issue of trust even if it is the most glaring problem. A problem it has created for itself after years of centralization and of depleting the provinces of their powers, abilities and input into national matters and businesses. After having marginalized, ignored and silenced the members. After having fed them irrelevant but flashy information that has decreased their ability to become ‘’really’’ involved in national issues and matters. After having shamelessly declared huge deficits for its own pet projects and fantasies. After repeatedly spending peanuts on provincial development or assistance year in and year out.

Lacrosse Canada has a problem of its own making based on a vision of one centralized association where the members are silent customers far more than active members; a vision of a National Association which belongs to the very few while others admire the parade. And sometimes cheer.

Recapture the membership’s trust! An almost impossible task.

Hey, trust is like matches; you only lose it once.

The minutes of the Board’s April 26th meeting are relevant not so much for what they say but what they don’t say.

Here goes: ‘’It is urgent to determine how and when the Semi-Annual meeting will take place. Board is looking for Member input to help determine their needs; formal governance training is expected to take place at this meeting for BOD and Members to co-learn’’.

The members have quietly revolted in dismissing the Association’s president (Matt Shearer) and almost doing the same for the present interim president (Barbara Lockhart). A silent revolution shaking up the makeup of the Board of Directors where there are so many leaders who are appointed rather than elected. Tactfully done the Members expect more; far more from the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors clearly don’t want to bring up the subject of trust so they use diplomatic words; ‘’looking for Member input to help determine their needs’’. It’s another way of admitting that Lacrosse Canada has not cared one single bit about the members’ needs, desires and expectations. Lacrosse Canada was, and still is, focused and obsessed with its National Teams’ programs, glowing medals and positive visibility. And now it will be trying to understand the Members’ needs. Now! Just now!

Shame on you Lacrosse Canada for having floored the members and now asking them to identify their needs. Where the hell have you been Lacrosse Canada?

They don’t even know when, where and how the Semi-Annual meeting will be held. But they know and proudly tell everyone where the next Development Camp, for kids 13 and 14 years old, will be held. Talk about planning and organization! Talk about a National Association concerned with its members’ needs!   ‘’Dear members, please tell us what your needs are so we can plan’’…

Go look at the Board minutes of 2024 and 2025 and nowhere will you find an iota of a concern for the members’ needs. 

The new Board members will say…’’It’ not me, I was not there; I’ve just arrived; give the runner a chance’’.  Staff members will say; ‘’It’s not us, we were told what to do. Our job was at stake; we had no option’’. The reality is that it is part of Lacrosse Canada’s culture to ignore its members, to collect their money and to tell them to be proud of upcoming gold medals. Go Canada Go.

Hey, think about it seriously, medals don’t grow the game; they make for headlines and fireside conversations. They are not the base that a sport needs to become stable and to grow. To depart from its traditional (but comfortable) minority sport status. An unknown domestic sport pushed up to Olympic status who thinks it has achieved normality when, in fact, it is investing in non-permanent visibility.

Tell me, who has won the last Canadian Olympic gold medal in fencing? Which country has won gold at the Paris Olympic in handball?

The Olympic Games are a great show. The members will love it. But what will happen after? How will Canada (and the provinces) benefit from the Games.

In its wisdom the Board of Directors has, listen to this, ON APRIL 26TH  2026!!! created a one-woman committee (the LA 2028 Advisory group) to be chaired (and attended) by a Board newcomer, Trish Chant-Sehl. Good luck Trish. Not so much for the medal but for the growth to be expected, and planned for, from the LA Games. April 26th 2026. Finally, something.

Look for the advisory group to come up with ideas that will help Lacrosse Canada but totally ignore the provinces. The contrary will be a huge surprise.

One thing is crystal clear. Lacrosse Canada only needs the provinces when time comes for them to pay up. Lacrosse Canada totally forgets that the provinces, the members, are the majority shareholders, in this crumbling business. The members bring in more money than Sport Canada and yet, today, Lacrosse Canada will want to know what their needs are. Shame on you Lacrosse Canada.

Someone needs to tell you that clearly. Consider it done.

Now, humbly, get back to reality.