Pressed up against the glass, wide-eyed, jersey-clad, feet dangling above The Q Centre’s concrete floors, kids dream of one day pulling on the green and white.
Now, a new wave will get the same chance to fall in love with Shamrocks lacrosse, just like Victoria-born forward Zach Manns once did.
In a major boost for young fans and local families, the Victoria Shamrocks announced that all youth 18 and under will get in free to every home game – regular season and playoffs – for the next three years, thanks to a partnership with Maxxam Insurance.
“I think every kid who plays lacrosse in Victoria wants to be a Shamrock,” said Manns, who is set to join the team this summer. “Those were the games I watched as a kid at Bear Mountain Arena. That’s what made me fall in love with the game."
The program, which proved a massive success during the Victoria Grizzlies’ BCHL season, saw more than 4,500 local youth attend games for free, saving West Shore families over $45,000. For Maxxam and the Shamrocks, bringing that momentum into lacrosse season was a no-brainer.
“We believe the foundation of a strong, healthy community begins with our youth,” said Maxxam president Bill Rai. “We’re thrilled to continue this partnership with the Shamrocks as they create family-friendly experiences that inspire the next generation and bring our community together.”
It’s a full-circle moment for Manns – and a powerful one for David Michaud, who oversees business operations for the Grizzlies and Shamrocks under the same ownership group.
“There’s no better way to involve the community than the youth,” Michaud said. “When we looked at the success we had with the Grizzlies, we thought – why stop there?”
Michaud, who previously launched similar programs in Penticton and Port Alberni, said the goal has always been to make high-level sports more accessible for local families. And with the Shamrocks entering their milestone 75th season, the timing couldn’t be better.
“This isn’t just any regular season – it’s a big one,” Michaud said. “The Mann Cup is back in the West. It’s all hands on deck for us to deliver a summer where people can say they were part of something special.”
Last season was also a special one for Victoria. The Shamrocks went undefeated in the regular season, claimed the WLA crown, and reached the Mann Cup final before falling to the Six Nations Chiefs.
Victoria will open their anniversary campaign on Friday, May 23, at The Q Centre against the Maple Ridge Burrards.
And now, there’ll be more kids than ever in the stands – dreaming, cheering, and maybe imagining themselves on the floor one day, just like Manns.
