Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) will provide the Six Nations Rivermen $18,000 in support of the teams third consecutive appearance at the 2023 President's Cup, the National Canadian Championships for the Sr. B lacrosse level. This years President's Cup will take place in Oakville Ont. from Aug. 27- Sept. 2 with all games being played at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre.
The funding will help the team rental vehicles, accommodations, food and team supplies while they participate in the tournament.
Marko Ćelić, general manager, says the team will be making its third straight appearance at the national championships something that he says has not been done by any other organizations.
"This will be, technically, our third run to the President's Cup in a row. I don't think anyone has really done that in as many years," he said.
Six Nations Rivermen are 2-time President's Cup winner, winning the national championship in both 2015 and 2019.
"I believe we're a perfect representation of the community," he adds. "Everyone from in it and around it all come together and we represent the nation as one."
Ćelić says operating the team with national championship aspirations has its challenges, which is why the team is seeking sponsorship from SNEC during the tournament.
"We're looking for help and sponsorship to deal with costs of rental vehicles, perhaps an air-bnb or hotel for out of town players to stay in Oakville, food and general supplies during the tournament," he says.
"As many of you are aware, games themselves cost money to operate, let alone a national championship where we're playing everyday and sometimes twice a day," he adds.
Coun. Melba Thomas showed her support for the team and spoke on the importance of providing assistance to Six Nations athletes and teams that represent the community.
"I think its very important to certainly support all of our athletes and I think over the years they've certainly done their duty in providing entertainment and excitement and support for our community."
SNEC approved the sponsorship request from the Rivermen and will provide the team with the requested $18,000 to be sourced from the Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership (OFNLP) sports team fund.
Six Nations Rivermen will begin their quest to the national championship on Aug. 27 when they face tournament hosts Oakville Rock in game 1 of the 2023 President's Cup.
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