As spring officially arrives this Friday, can we say it? Summer is just around the corner too.
Many people still don’t realize that lacrosse is Canada’s national summer sport.
Niagara’s oldest sporting franchise is the St. Catharines Junior Athletics – founded in 1877.
The A’s, as they’re affectionately known, now feature both Jr. A and Jr. B lacrosse.
The junior B lacrosse season begins in just over a month’s time, while the junior A’s take to the floor a few weeks later.
After hosting the Minto Cup – the Canadian Jr. A Lacrosse Championship – in 2025, the junior A Athletics will feature an all-new star-studded coaching staff here in 2026.
Newly named co-General Managers Sean Allen and Paul Day (current National Lacrosse League Philadelphia Wings GM) appointed Dan Coates, current captain of the (NLL) Rochester Knighthawks, as the clubs new bench boss.
And from there Coates went to work assembling one of the most impressive coaching staffs anywhere. All members of the coaching staff are former Athletics themselves.
Current San Diego Seal, and 15-year NLL veteran, Corey Small will run the offense.
Coates’ teammate in Rochester Ian Llord – a 19 veteran of the pro game – will lead the defense, while Randy Mearns, just recently named head coach in Rochester and Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Famer, will also serve as an assistant coach.
Here’s a look at the St. Catharines Jr. A Athletics home schedule Elora has moved up from junior B in 2026.
All home games are played inside the air-conditioned, turf floor, Canada Games Park in Thorold
Wednesday May 20 vs. Elora 8 pm
Wednesday May 27 vs. Brampton 8 pm
Saturday May 30 vs. Kitchener-Waterloo 7 pm
Wednesday June 3 vs. Six Nations 8 pm
Wednesday June 10 vs Toronto Beaches 8 pm
Sunday June 21 vs Peterborough 4 pm
Wednesday June 24 vs. Burlington 8 pm
Sunday July 5 vs. Orangeville 7 pm
Wednesday July 8 vs. Oakville 8 pm
For more information on the St Catharines Jr. A Athletics visit stcatharinesjra.com
As for the Jr. B Athletics Chris ‘Chico’ Williams is still the team’s general manager, but he’ll be joined by Toronto Rock (NLL) defender Latrell Harris who’s been named assistant GM.
Rochester (NLL) goaltender Riley Hutchcraft remains the team’s head coach, as Kealan Pilon will run the junior B’s offense along with the promoted Jacob Johnson.
Current Halifax Thunderbird (NLL) Ethan O’Connor returns as defensive coach.
Here is the Jr. B Athletics home schedule. Again, all home games are played at Canada Games Park
Sunday April 26 vs. Wallaceburg 4 pm
Thursday April 30 vs. Guelph 8 pm
Saturday May 2 vs. London 4 pm
Thursday May 7 vs. Six Nations 8 pm
Thursday May 14 vs. Orangeville 8 pm
Tuesday May 19 vs. Weiland 8 pm
Saturday May 23 vs Owen Sound 7 pm
Thursday May 28 vs. Cambridge 8 pm
Sunday May 31 vs. Windsor 2 pm
Thursday June 11 vs. Hamilton 8 pm
Check out stcatharinesjrb.com for more information on the St. Catharines Jr. B Athletics
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.
