New Westminster Salmonbellies

The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991. The 1968–1972 teams were collectively inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2004.

They won their first Mann Cup in 1915. Prior to 1932, they played as a field lacrosse team but in May 1932 box lacrosse was adopted for the senior league in British Columbia - and the Salmonbellies have been a box lacrosse team since then. The Salmonbellies have won the Mann Cup more than any other lacrosse team. They had won at least one Mann Cup in every decade since the inception of the trophy, before the 2000s.

Salmonbellie Alumni Paul Parnell, Wayne Goss, Eric Cowieson, Jack Bionda, Cliff Sepka, Dave Durante and Geordie Dean have all had their numbers retired by the team. There are more Salmonbellies alumni in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame than from any other team.

The Salmonbellie name arose from a taunt given by an opposing team's fan during an early game. The fan called the New West team "salmonbellies" referring to the fact that salmon was considered a lowly food at the time. But the players liked the name, concluding that the belly was the prime portion on the fish, so the name was adopted and has stuck for over a century. Curiously, the name is never spelled with a "y" even when one writes about an individual "Salmonbellie."

''Salmonbellies vs. the World: The Story of Lacrosse's Most Famous Team & Their Greatest Opponents'' (Caitlin Press, 2013) by W.B. MacDonald, is an in-depth, illustrated book which shares stories of the players' lives, successes and heartbreaks.

Founding

The New Westminster lacrosse club was founded on May 12, 1888 but did not play their first home game in the Royal City until June 8, 1889, a 3–1 loss to Vancouver.

It was stated in the May 11, 1888 issue of the New Westminster ''Daily British Columbian'' newspaper that "All lacrosse players are requested to meet on the cricket grounds this evening for the purpose of forming a lacrosse club."

On May 14, 1888 the ''Daily British Columbian'' informed that "On Saturday evening a meeting of lacrosse players was held and a club formed. Mr. Glover was appointed chairman pro tem and Mr. Lewis permanent secretary and treasurer. A committee was formed to draft rules and by-laws, and perform other duties in connection with the organization of the club. Practises will be held every Wednesday and Friday evening for the present, and it is to be hoped that every lover of the game will join the club and assist in making it a success in every way. It is the intention to try and arrange a match with Vancouver on July 1st."''Daily British Columbian'' (Monday) May 14, 1888

Mann Cup wins

* 1915–17
* 1920–25
* 1927
* 1937
* 1943
* 1958
* 1959
* 1962
* 1965
* 1970
* 1972
* 1974
* 1976
* 1981
* 1986
* 1989
* 1991

Mann Cup MVPs

Salmonbellie Winners of the Mann Cup Most Valuable Player's Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy (Major/Senior A):

*1943 Bill Wilkes
*1944 Ike Hildebrand
*1958 Norm McKay
*1959 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
*1962 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
*1965 Les Norman
*1970 Paul Parnell
*1972 Paul Parnell
*1974 Ken Winzoski
*1976 Dave Durante
*1981 Wayne Goss
*1986 Geordie Dean
*1987 Eric Cowieson (jointly held with Jim Meredith of the Brooklyn Redmen)
*1989 Ben Hieltjes
*1991 Geordie Dean

All-time field lacrosse record

All-time box lacrosse record

References

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Notes

External links

Salmonbellies Official WebsiteHistorical Photo of match between New Westminster and Tecumseh, 1919Salmonbellies Team Photo, 1908Salmonbellies Team Photo, c.1910Lacrosse Game in New Westminster, 1900s

{{British Columbia Sports

Lacrosse teams in Vancouver
Western Lacrosse Association teams
New Westminster
Lacrosse clubs established in 1888
1888 establishments in British Columbia