Prince George Posse’s title dream ends before it starts

The news hit hard for these young athletes, who spent the year training, travelling, and covering their own expenses.

“How do you tell a group of committed young athletes who have battled all year?” said head coach Jeff Moleski. “We have a kid from Mackenzie who travels up twice a week and doesn’t miss anything. How do you tell that kid and his family we can’t play anymore? It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.”

The Posse are the only junior B team in the northern half of the province, and they do not have a league to play in. That isolation is the main issue. Without a home league, the team applied for a way to reach provincials, and for a while, it seemed possible.

An independent appeal panel decided the Posse could compete. But just days before the tournament, the association’s board of directors reversed that decision.

“We appealed the process for provincials and won the appeal with the third-party committee,” Moleski said. “Then, a week before provincials, we were told we’re not eligible to participate. Very disheartening.”

The BC Lacrosse Association says its rules leave no room for the Posse. In a statement, president Gerry Van Beek pointed to the regulations that govern provincial play.

“The only path to BC Provincial Championships in present Regulations is through a recognized CLA League,” Van Beek said in the statement.

For Moleski, this decision affects more than just one team or one season. He says athletes in the North face challenges that teams in other parts of the province do not.

“It’s a challenge for all sports in the North: hockey, volleyball, baseball,” Moleski said. “I think it’s time the province recognizes those challenges. I think all northern sports should rally around this. It’s really unfortunate what’s happening to the northern part of the province. Some Posse players could have left to play for other teams this season, but they chose to stay and play at home. Now, that decision has cost them a chance at a title.

The coach says the fight is not over. The team and their families are still working to get the decision changed.

“The battle continues,” Moleski said. “We’re trying to put the North’s best foot forward.”

For now, the provincial championship will go on without them. The banners in Kin 1 will remain unchanged.

by Dave Branco

Prince George Posse’s title dream ends before it starts

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