Anishinabe Baagaadowewin Selects Coaching Staff for 2021 WJLC

[Photo: Liam Richards, The Canadian Press] 

PRESS RELEASE 

Anishinabe Baagaadowewin is excited to announce Jeff Shattler, Aime Caines, and Roger Vyse as the coaching staff for the upcoming 2021 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Shattler will serve as Head Coach, with Caines and Vyse serving as Assistant Coaches. 

“We had an incredible list of applicants for this historic inaugural team. The coaches chosen have over 75 years of combined experience as coaches, players and mentors in the sport, with proven leadership in growing the game in First Nation communities on Turtle Island. These gentlemen will set the bar high for the organization.” said 2021 WJLC Team Anishinabe General Manager Travis Payer. 

When asked about working with Anishinabe Baagaadowewin, Head Coach Jeff Shattler said this would be an incredible opportunity to build something that would mean a lot to First Nations. 

"My biggest reason for working with AB [Anishinabe Baagaadowewin] is that I'll be representing my nation and making history with this group of kids. Allowing them to be a part of something bigger than myself and them. To be the pioneers for years to come. I believe our Nations deserve a chance to showcase our talent, and when we do, they'll know we belong on the world stage." said Shattler. 

Shattler brings championship know-how into the position, having won the National Lacrosse League (NLL) championship with the Saskatchewan Rush in 2018. 

Aime Caines also comes with years of professional experience, having played in the NLL and previously coached the Minnesota Swarm. He is aware of the challenges facing the new AB team but feels ready to take them on. 

"I believe our biggest challenge will be experience. This is our first event, so it will be challenging to get all of our systems and philosophies in place before August. We are hoping to get everyone together for a couple of training camps to get the team ready for the tournament." said Caines. 

Roger Vyse rounds out the coaching staff bringing in experience from Major League Lacrosse (MLL), NLL, and Iroquois Nationals. Vyse is really looking forward to helping the program thrive. 

"[I'm looking forward to] getting the opportunity to help develop the program. This will be a building year for sure, and I can't wait to get started. Also, we have a great staff to start taking this program in the right direction. Hoping due to covid restrictions, we will be able to get back to play sooner rather than later." said Vyse. 

With so much experience and skill now on the coaching staff, the Anishinabe Baagaadowewin team has experienced leadership to take them to the tournament in August and really put on an impressive show. 

ABOUT ANISHINABE BAAGAADOWEWIN
Anishinabe Baagaadowewin is a non-profit corporation founded in 2019. Anishinabe Baagaadowewin will represent the peoples of the Three Fires Confederacy (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodawdmi) known as the Anishinabeg in international lacrosse competition. Anishinabe Baagaadowewin seeks to revive the ancient lacrosse tradition of the Anishinabe peoples by growing the game in Anishinabe communities lacrosse Canada and the US, visit www.anishinabebaagaadowewin.org for more information.