The Victoria Shamrocks will be moving forward without two of their longest-serving leaders, as head coach Mike Simpson and assistant coach Art Webster announced their resignations from the club.
The departures come by personal choice, with both stepping away under their own will.
"First and foremost we extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mike, Art and their families for the many years of commitment they have given to the Shamrocks organization in a variety of roles," said Shamrocks general manager, Chris Welch.
Simpson leaves after four years behind the Shamrocks’ bench, three as head coach. He returned to the organization as an assistant coach in 2017, before being promoted in 2021.
A Shamrocks captain from 1994 to 1997 and a Mann Cup champion in 1997, Simpson went on to post a 53-16-2 record as head coach, highlighted by the team’s perfect 18-0 run to the 2024 Western Lacrosse Association championship.
Webster’s history with the club stretches even deeper.
He first joined as a player in 1978, spending 16 seasons with the Shamrocks across four decades. After moving into coaching, Webster held the head coaching role in 2008 and rejoined the club as assistant coach in 2013, where he remained through this past season.
He is a five-time Mann Cup winner, twice as a player and three times as a coach, and was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2007.
"The contributions each has made are significant and while they'll be greatly missed, they'll always be part of the Shamrock family," Welch said.
The Shamrocks finished 2025 with a 13-4-1 record, falling to New Westminster in the WLA semifinals.
The club says it will begin the process of hiring a new head coach in the weeks ahead.
On the other side of the WLA, league champion New Westminster Salmonbellies are set to begin their quest to bring the Mann Cup back west, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, at Queen's Park Arena.
