INNISFAIL – Following its successful milestone season, the Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association (IMLA) held its annual Wind-Up & Awards Night and paid tribute to a quarter-century of lacrosse in Innisfail.
The celebration for the association and all its members took place during the evening of July 3 at the Innisfail Twin Arena.
There was a supper and an awards presentation.
"This year's wind-up is particularly special as we commemorate 25 years of Innisfail Minor Lacrosse," said Kari Flaws, outgoing IMLA president. "It's a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, volunteers, and the unwavering support of our community that we've reached this incredible milestone.
“We look forward to celebrating this rich history and the bright future of lacrosse in Innisfail."
Below is a list of awards that were handed out on July 3:
U11 Orange
• Offensive MVP - Wade Hil;
• Defensive MVP - Emma Jochem;
• Most Improved Player - Nathan Rehaume, and
• Best Teammate As Voted By The Players - Rhys Rieberger.
U11 Black
• Offensive MVP - Logan Hider;
• Defensive MVP - Wyatt Hurley;
• Most Improved Player - Kayden Anderson, and
• Best Teammate - as voted by the players - Grady McDermott.
U13 Orange
• Offensive MVP - Kaden Stoyberg;
• Defensive MVP - Jacob Kormos;
• Most Improved Player - Peyton Rehaume, and
• Best Teammate - as voted by the players - Bryan Oszli.
U13 Black
• Offensive MVP - Austin Rieder;
• Defensive MVP - Kaiden McAuley;
• Most Improved Player - Sadie Leveille, and
• Best Teammate - as voted by the players - Hetfield Flaws.
U15
• Offensive MVP - Carter Christie;
• Defensive MVP - Lincoln Day;
• Most Improved Player - Blake Jacobsen, and
• Best Teammate - as voted by the players - Jackson Taylor.
U17
• Offensive MVP - Ryland Goulding;
• Defensive MVP - Brody Willert;
• Most Improved Player - Caleb Barnim, and
• Best Teammate - as voted by the players - Bryson MacPherson.
Kiwita Salt, the head coach of the U11 Orange team, was this year’s recipient of the Matt Atwell Memorial Coach of the Year Award.
The awards’ evening featured the Zach Smith Memorial Award that honours the memory of the late Zach Smith, a competitive and beloved local athlete who played both hockey and lacrosse for Innisfail teams, including the Innisfail Phantoms.
The award recognizes a current player on any IMLA team who exhibits a combination of skill, leadership, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.
The winner was U11 Orange player Wade Hill.
There was also the Kovacs Award, given annually since 2009 to recognize Tom Kovacs who was instrumental in bringing the game of lacrosse to the Town of Innisfail and establishing the IMLA.
The award recipient can be any volunteer member in good standing, past or present, of the IMLA who exhibits fair play, good sportsmanship, integrity, and a love and dedication to the game of lacrosse.
This year’s winner was Neil Themig, head coach of the U13 Orange team.
The association’s U7 and U9 teams do not hand out individual awards. Instead, players were able to choose a new lacrosse ball and stand to take home as a keepsake.
