Coates to represent Canada
Dan Coates can’t wait to once again wear the Maple Leaf.
The 32-year-old St. Catharines native was one of 23 players selected recently to represent Canada at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Langley, B.C.
“It’s humbling to be named amongst that group,” Coates said. “There are a lot of great players all across Canada and to be selected as one of them is a great honour to represent our country.”
Coates previously won gold medals for Canada in 2014 at the World Outdoor Championships and in 2015 at the World Indoor Championships.
“You think about all the coaches and teammates, your parents and everyone who have sacrificed to get you to where you are,” Coates said. “You’re basically representing everyone who has ever held a stick, boy or girl of all ages.
“You don’t want to let them down and you know the stakes are higher on the international stage.”
Coates, a former member of the St. Catharines Athletics junior A’s, is playing this summer for the Six Nations Chiefs in the Major Series League.
He has spent the last eight seasons with the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.
“It’s crazy how fast the time has gone by. It’s such a great place to play and such a great organization and I’ve been very fortunate to spend my time there,” he said. “It starts to feel like home the more you are there. I’m truly thankful to be part of that organization.”
Coates has two seasons left on his deal.
“I’m getting older. It’s crazy how fast time creeps up,” he said. “I guess as long as my body stays healthy I’ll play as long as I can. I feel good right now.
“I’m taking it year-by-year and day-by-day to see how I’m feeling but eventually I’d like to get into coaching. That’s where my heart is tugging after so that’s where I see myself after my playing days.”
The indoor championships are held even four years and sponsored by World Lacrosse. Since the first tournament in 2003, Canada has won all four gold medals and is undefeated in all games. Canada hosted the first two tournaments, the Czech Republic hosted in 2011, and the Onondaga Nation hosted in 2015.
Australia, Austria, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, England, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iroquois Nationals, Isreal, Mexico, Netherlands, Serbia, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States join Canada this year as participants. This year’s tournament will be held Sept. 19-28.
“Selecting the 23-man roster for Canada is always a challenge because of the depth of talent within our nation. We are very excited about the roster choices and feel that this group will represent our country well. The talent and character that will be on display during the WILC will make our country proud,” said Glenn Clark, head coach of the Canadian Men’s Indoor Lacrosse Team.
The coaching and support staff that will lead the 2019 Team Canada includes: Clark, Sean Ferris (team coordinator), Pat Coyle (assistant coach), Curt Malawsky (assistant coach), Mike Hasen (assistant coach), Mike McKay (scout) and Ted Cordingley (equipment manager).
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