A Victoria Shamrocks organization member with deep roots in the local lacrosse scene will be taking over as the teamB次元官网网址檚 head coach.

Shamrocks offensive coach Mike Simpson will fill the vacant bench boss spot after Bob Heyes moved on from the position last month.

B次元官网网址淚 am honoured to be able to follow in the footsteps of some of the gameB次元官网网址檚 finest coaches such as Nirmal Dillon, Chris Hall and my great friend Bob Heyes,B次元官网网址� Simpson said in a press release. B次元官网网址淚 believe this is one of the most prestigious coaching positions in all of box lacrosse in any league at any level. I want to thank the Shamrocks executive for giving me this chance to help bring another Mann Cup to Victoria and I canB次元官网网址檛 wait to get started.B次元官网网址�

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The teamB次元官网网址檚 general manager said Simpson has earned the opportunity and proven himself as a leader B次元官网网址� as a player, coach and in his career as a firefighter.

B次元官网网址淗e has the respect of our players and everyone in our organization and IB次元官网网址檓 confident heB次元官网网址檒l do an outstanding job,B次元官网网址� Chris Welch said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very grateful to his family for supporting him to take this on.B次元官网网址�

Simpson has been the ShamrocksB次元官网网址� offensive coach since 2017. He started as assistant coach of the Junior A Shamrocks before moving into the head coaching role with the team a year later. He stayed in that position through the 2003 season, accumulating a 63-29 record. Simpson left the team in 2004 to become the first head coach of the National Lacrosse LeagueB次元官网网址檚 Minnesota Swarm expansion team.

Simpson started his Junior A playing career in 1985 with the Esquimalt Legion. He played with the team until 1989, serving as assistant captain in 1988 and team captain in B次元官网网址�89. Simpson competed in four Minto Cup during his junior years and won the 1988 championship with Esquimalt B次元官网网址� the last Greater Victoria-based team to win the national Junior A crown.

Simpson started playing for the Senior A Shamrocks in 1990. He once again wore the B次元官网网址淐B次元官网网址� as team captain from 1994 to 1997, played in two Mann Cup championships and won the title during his final playing year in 1997.

The Shamrocks will open the 2021 season at home against the New Westminster Salmonbellies on June 25, if the pandemic doesnB次元官网网址檛 upend that schedule.

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