The history of Junior “A” lacrosse in Victoria goes back more than 50 years and, although the team that currently plays as the Jr. Shamrocks has seen a number of sponsor and name changes over the years, is a proud franchise. The team has been known as “McDonald’s” (not after the fast food franchise but after its major sponsor McDonald’s Bakery) and also for a number of years played under the banne
r of the Esquimalt Legion. After the demolision of the Memorial Arena and until the 2005 season, home games were played at the Esquimalt Sports Centre in the Archie Browning Arena. Archie Browning is a renowned lacrosse name in Victoria and in fact has a trophy in his honour that is annually presented to the Most Inspirational player of the Jr. Over the years, some very famous players have worn Victoria Jr. “A” colours, not the least of which would have to be the Gait twins, Paul and Gary. Both went on to star in the National Lacrosse League and are well known for revolutionizing the sport, Gary having just retired from the box game at the end of the 2005 NLL season and now serving in a coaching role with the Colorado Mammoth. Other well-respected names include Danny Green, Kevin Alexander, Tom Marechek, Lewis Ratcliff, Ryan Ward and a myriad of other NLL and WLA stars. Young lacrosse players in the Greater Victoria area aspire to be Shamrocks, and the Intermediate “A” Shamrocks and Jr. “A” Shamrocks organizations as well as the other minor lacrosse associations often prove to be a stepping stone to that goal.
