This past weekend we hosted our 30th Annual Paperweight Lacrosse Tournament, and the 6th year under the banner as the Greg Campbell Memorial Paperweight Tournament. The Event featured 24 teams of 5 – 6 year old lacrosse players from across Ontario from as far as Peterborough, Wellington and Orillia in non-stop lacrosse action in the Welland arenas from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. There were over 350 players and 90 coaches in attendance in an event that has the City of Welland hosting the biggest and last OLA sanctioned Paperweight Tournament in Ontario for the season, prior to the Provincials.
It is without saying that such an Event would not be a success without the support, both financial and personal from many people and businesses in the local area. I would like at this time to thank those who contributed to this event, which was, the largest Paperweight Tournament hosted in Ontario this year.
Boston Pizza as the presenting Tournament Sponsor as well as the support of Internet Access Worldwide, A Little R & R Vacations,
Joe's Value-Mart, Buchner’s Source for Sports and the Welland Tribune in enabling the Event to again be a great success..
Thanks to the City of Welland specifically the arena staff for their exceptional work in keeping the facilities in order throughout the Event.
To all the volunteers who provided the visiting teams with great support throughout the Tournament - referees, timekeepers and members of the Welland Minor Lacrosse executive Board, your service was invaluable. Thanks to all of the young volunteers and lacrosse players who helped with the raffles and prizes. To the Tribune & Mr. Bernd Franke in the Sports Dept for the coverage of the Event throughout the weekend. A special thanks to Spencer Tanguay
for his announcing and music from start to finish in the Event.
A personal thanks to the Campbell Family – Tracy, Maggie & Gregory who allowed us to carry on the Tournament with the Campbell name. We hope that Greg would again be proud to have his name attached to the smiles of the 24 teams of participants throughout the 3 days in the City of Welland.
There have been many Paperweight players that have participated in this Annual event that have gone on to play at the elite levels of both Box and field lacrosse, even onto the NLL and it will be interesting to note their names in their future in the sport of lacrosse.
On behalf of the Welland Paperweight Raiders and the Welland Minor Lacrosse Executive Board, I would like to extend my thanks to all for establishing the City of Welland and Welland Raider Lacrosse as the leader in Paperweight Lacrosse in Ontario for yet again another great season.
Kevin Main
2011 Tournament Director
Welland Raiders Minor Lacrosse