Aurora Masters Lacrosse Going the Distance with D.O.V.E. 2009

The Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness (CCAA),  and the Aurora Master’s Lacrosse Association invited the whole community to participate in the celebration and family events surrounding the D.O.V.E. 2009 (Determined to Oppose Violence Everywhere) marathon game on June 12th and 13th at the Aurora Community Centre.

This years' event was a follow up to the first very successful D.O.V.E. event in 2008.

It is a sad but interesting fact that not many Canadians know that our national sport originated from an aboriginal game played hundreds of years before Canada became a nation. Aurora Masters Lacrosse is one of many groups promoting the sport and virtues of lacrosse while reaching out to those most in need in the community. The Aurora Master’s Lacrosse Association decided to capture the community’s attention by promoting violence awareness and prevention through the paradox of the game of lacrosse. As a result, in 2008 they formed the DOVE campaign and challenged other lacrosse groups to get involved in their own communities. Canadian icon Rick Mercer heard about it and supported the event with a PSA and did so again this year.

“We are honoured by the overwhelming support from the Ontario Lacrosse Association, the Masters Division of the OLA, the National Lacrosse League, the Towns of Aurora and Newmarket,” say DOVE organizers James Zacher and Grady Robson. “We are also grateful to sponsors, Sport Aurora, Rogers, Q107, Tom & Jerry’s Bistros, Toronto Rock, Warrior Lacrosse, Sanderson Sports, Newmarket Junior B Saints, Newmarket Redbirds, Howard Johnson Hotel, Racer Sportif, Aurora Dome and so many more from the community. We have a growing list of DOVE co-chairs which include Rick Mercer, Cam Woods, Bruce Barker, Dan Ladouceur, Brian Shanahan, Ryan Parker and Jim Veltman (Co-founder of the Spirit of the Stick).”

Ellen Campbell, Founder and Executive Director of the CCAA stated, “We cannot thank the organizers, sponsors and participants enough for all the work they do to make this day a total success.  Not only do they work to raise money and awareness around abuse issues, but it seems that the whole of York Region and beyond are committed to a growing community spirited event that will reach the whole world through the Guinness Book of World Records! What a privilege to be a part of it.”

 

Click on any of the photos below for a larger image.