It’s a big week sports wise here in Niagara as three top-level sporting franchises all open their regular seasons at home.
On Wednesday, the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics Lacrosse club host Toronto Beaches. The Athletics have been awarded the 2025 Minto Cup – Canadian Jr. A Lacrosse Championships – and General Manager Jeff Chcoski feels he has the roster in place to compete for a national championship.
“I have an extra jump in my step in the morning when I wake up,” said Chcoski on the Niagara Sports Report on Newstalk 610 CKTB.
“It’s very exciting. We’re going to be big. Our offense is going to look way different this year, and our goaltending is going to be amazing. I truly built it (the team) from the back end out, now I’m going to wrap it with a few pieces up front.”
The Athletics play most of their home games on Wednesdays on the turf at Canada Games Park.
The Minto Cup will be held at Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines from Aug. 16 to Aug. 24.
For more information on Niagara’s oldest sporting franchise visit stcatharinesjra.com
Friday night, the defending Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Champion Niagara River Lions welcome the Calgary Surge.
It’s the 10th Anniversary of River Lions basketball in Niagara, and newly named Team President Michelle Biskup, who’s been with the franchise basically since Day 1, can’t wait for the season to tip.
“It’s definitely been a trip down memory lane, looking at old photos and videos and old rosters,” Biskup told the Niagara Sports Report. “As always we want to have the best gameday experience possible. Fans can expect some new things coming in to take it up a level. The court will be centred this season, so that will allow for a bigger and better courtside area that will have an outdoor, patio-type vibe.”
“Our goal is to run it back and win another championship.”
The River Lions will celebrate their 10th Anniversary on June 13, including an alumni game that fans have had the chance to vote on what former players they’d like to see back in Niagara.
Visit riverlions.ca for more information on the season ahead.
Saturday, the Welland Jackfish entertain the Barrie Baycats to open their campaign.
The Jackfish are welcoming back several fan favorite players, including the Dominican Dominator – closer Deivy Mendez – who did throw 101 miles per house this past winter in Nicaragua. Fellow Dominican Jose Dominquez, a former major leaguer, is also one of the new faces fans will see at Welland Stadium.
“Our pitching staff should be really good. On paper we’re really, really, strong,” Brian Essery said, but the Jackfish field manager was also quick to point out the product Team President and Director of Fun Ryan Harrison brings off the field that makes coming to the ballpark even more special.
“It’s the envy of our league, for sure, and all the other teams are trying to copy, but what Ryan Harrison and his staff bring, no one is going to be as good. Three to 4,000 fans every night, I’m pretty sure we’re going to be sold out every night this season, and that’s on them.”
For more information on the Welland Jackfish visit wellandjackfish.com
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
