Inflation adds pressure to win for amateur lacrosse teams
Amateur organizations are doing whatever they can to shield players from the effects of inflation, as travel costs reach record highs.
"Everyone is working hard to make it work," said Mark Rouse, general manager of the Owen Sound North Stars. The team was in Windsor for Game 1 of their best-of-three, first-round playoff series.
The reality of today’s economy is being felt on different levels, as the cost of travel in this series could cost upwards of $20,000 if it goes the distance.
"Hopefully we only have to make that trip once," said Clippers head coach Jerry Kavanaugh whose team was in Owen Sound Sunday afternoon for Game 2.
The North Stars spent just less than $2,500 to rent this school bus to get to Game 1 at Forest Glade Arena Saturday night.
"It was hot. Windows down all the way on the 401. Quick little stop on the way down," added Rouse.
With games alternating between cities during the short series, no overnight stay was required. Back-to-back would have put more strain on budgets.
"With us where we're located in the province, we've done two overnight trips this year. So [for] hotels and buses, it's a six-thousand dollar bill on a weekend," said Windsor Clippers general manager Mike Soulliere.
Costs add up, including those that are unexpected. Out-of-town referees were needed for Game 1 which cost both teams triple the regular rate.
"Tremendous strain on our bank accounts from a team perspective. Fundraising, I actually had to dispatch a group today to do a fundraiser. A group of parents to make it all work," said Rouse.
The Clippers operate their nine-week season on a $100,000 budget. The players don't pay to play but are required to volunteer when they fundraise at a local bingo parlour.
"We've been lucky," said Clippers goaltender Chase Cosgrove. "Sometimes it goes a little unnoticed how privileged we are compared to other teams. We get a nice bus. We get Gatorade during our games."
Because they receive a lot of support from the community, players are also fed.
"Before the pandemic hit, most of the sponsors were on board,” said Soulliere. "None of them asked for their money back so we were ahead of the game as far as getting sponsors heading into this year."
Windsor finished third overall in the league. Any trip after this round will be no less than a three-hour ride.
"Sponsorships are big for us. Obviously the gate is big. A lot of hard work by the board keeping this thing afloat," said Kavanaugh.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.