The Victoria Shamrocks are gearing up for a monumental 75th anniversary season, with action beginning on May 23 at the Q Centre in Colwood.
Victoria broke the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) record for the most consecutive wins and became the only team to win every regular season game during the 2024 campaign.
The reigning WLA champions will kick off their quest for a second consecutive title, which saw them sweep the Langley Thunder in the championship series.
Their bid for an undefeated season was halted by the Six Nations Chiefs in the Mann Cup, the senior A box lacrosse championships. The Chiefs proved too strong in the finals, defeating the Shamrocks in five games.
Despite the setback, head coach Mike Simpson is determined to use last year's accomplishments as a springboard for success in 2025.
“We really just want to build off of last season's success and get to the top of that mountain,” said Simpson. “We fell just shy of the big goal last year, but we are more motivated than ever to get to the top.”
The Shamrocks spent the offseason carefully evaluating their roster, looking for ways to take their game to the next level.
One of the key improvements for the upcoming season was to enhance the team’s size and competitiveness on the floor.
“We’ve made it a priority on getting bigger and more competitive,” said Simpson. “We’re excited about the potential of this group.”
One of the major offseason moves came when the Shamrocks signed 6’4”, 220-pound defender Elijah Gash from the NLL’s Toronto Rock.
Gash, who has transitioned smoothly from field lacrosse to the box style of play, is expected to be a major addition to the defensive lineup.
“Elijah checks all the boxes for us,” said Simpson. “He brings size, grit, and poise from the blueline. He’s an impactful player with a ton of upside, and we couldn’t be more excited to add him to our group.”
The Shamrocks regular season will consist of 18 games, with nine of those taking place at their home rink, the Q Centre in Colwood.
Simpson sees the first segment of the season, with four games before the end of May, as a critical period for the team to set the tone for the rest of the year.
“We like to break down the season into three, six-game segments,” said Simpson. “That first segment is going to be crucial for us. It will test the depth of our roster and provide opportunities for players up and down the organization to prove themselves.”
While the team won’t have their full gauntlet of players available right at the start of the season, with players competing in the NLL and college lacrosse, Simpson is confident that the depth and development of the roster will set the foundation for the rest of the season.
The 75th anniversary season promises to be a celebration for the Shamrocks, their fans, and the community.
The team has long been a pillar of success in the WLA, and Simpson is proud of the organization’s legacy.
“As far as I know, the Shamrocks are the class of the WLA,” said Simpson. “This organization does its business the right way, from top to bottom.”
To mark the milestone, the Shamrocks will be hosting a 75th anniversary dinner on April 11 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Langford to celebrate the team’s rich history. For more information on the event, visit victoriashamrocks.com.
