2015 FOUNDERS’ CUP

CALGARY MOUNTAINEERS

JUNIOR “B” LACROSSE CLUB

November 2014

Introduction

The Founders’ Cup is one of the most important Major Lacrosse National Tournaments sponsored by the CLA for a number of reasons, but most importantly it is the CLA Major Lacrosse National Tournament with the broadest geographic representation of MAs across the country.

The Founders’ Cup (and its predecessor, the Castrol Cup) have been held on a continuous basis since 1964. The last time this prestigious event was hosted in Alberta was in 2009 when the tournament was hosted by the Edmonton Warriors. That year, the Mounties were successful in defeating the Clarington Green Gaels and being crowned the Canadian Junior “B” National Champions, one of only two Alberta teams to ever reach this goal. The Founders’ Cup (and Castrol Cup) has never been hosted in Southern Alberta.

The Mounties have had the privilege of representing Alberta at the Founders’ Cup for 8 of the past 9 Tournaments and have brought home to Alberta and the RMLL 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.

Founders’ Cup Bid Steering and Organizing Committees

The initial stages of the development of the bid were the responsibility of a Bid Steering Committee. This Committee was composed of a small group consisting ofthe Mounties Coaching Staff and Management and current and Alumni parents. This group of individuals all have strong roots in the lacrosse community and the Mounties organization. Collectively, they represent individuals who have collectively attended over 40 Founders’ Cup tournaments spanning last 16 years.

The Bid Steering Committee has been replaced with an Organizing Committee which will be augmented by a number of additional volunteers. The Organizing Committee will be structured by operational responsibility with the Chairs of each of the committees being a member of the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee has been meeting since June of 2014 and will continue to do so, both on an internal basis and with representatives of the CLA, as required, and in accordance with the CLA National Event Hosting Guidelines.

Goals and Objectives

The goal of the Mounties is to host a National Championship which is a first class event which enhances the tradition and heritage of the Tournament and provides all stakeholders with a positive, safe and competitive experience. To meet and exceed the requirements of the Hosting Guidelines and leave all involved with a positive impression of this very important lacrosse event.

In order to accomplish this goal, the Mounties must be successful in meeting a number of objectives. The Organizing Committee believes that four of the most important objectives are:

1.Providing the participating teams with a well-organized, hassle free, competition where the teams can focus on the putting their best performance on the floor each game, without worrying about unnecessary tournament details and administrative glitches;

2.Raising awareness of the Tournament specifically, and the game of lacrosse generally, within both the general and lacrosse communities;

3.Specifically engaging and involving individual Minor Lacrosse players, their families and the organizations in which they are registered in the operation and enjoyment of the Tournament. The Organizing Committee believes that it is extremely important that Minor Lacrosse players in Calgary and surrounding areas be exposed to this very high level of lacrosse national competition with the hope of inspiring those players to continue their involvement and development in the game we all love; and

4.Ensuring that the Tournament is financially successful.

Minor Lacrosse Support and Involvement

Consistent with the goals and objectives set forth above, one of the first things the Bid Steering Committee did was to contact the Calgary District Lacrosse Association (the “CDLA”) and each of its member Clubs to ask for their support. We are pleased to report that the Mounties have received the unanimous support of all of the parties contacted.

The Chair of the Organizing Committee has met with the CDLA Board and the CDLA has appointed one of its Board members to be the CDLA Liaison to sit on the Organizing Committee.

It is the intention of the Mounties that representatives of the Organizing Committee will continue to meet with representatives of the Minor Lacrosse community and seek their input to further involve Minor Lacrosse players in the Tournament and its related activities.

It should also be noted, that a sponsor has committed to purchase a 1 day tournament pass for every player registered with the CDLA (approx. 1900 day passes) which will be distribute free to those players.

Corporate and Government Support

The Bid Steering Committee, in preparation for making this bid, met with a number of potential corporate Sponsors and Government organizations to determine the potential level of support for this event. We have been extremely pleased with the initial indications of support.

The Organizing Committee has already obtained commitments from a variety of suppliers, government, corporate and other sponsors who are prepared to provide either cash or discounts to support the Tournament. The Organizing Committee has already obtained sponsorships or grants in excess of $20,000.

Teams

For the purposes of planning the Organizing Committee has assumed that the potential number of teams which would participate would be 8 or 9 teams, being the Host Team and one other team from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, the ILA, Quebec, Nova Scotia and possibly British Columbia.

The Organizing Committee have contacted the BCLA and the Commissioners for each of the three BC Junior “B” Leagues to inquire whether or not a team from British Columbia might attend the 2015 Founders’ Cup as a competitor if it was awarded to Calgary, given the close proximity of Calgary and a significant reduction of costs associated with such participation. At this time we are led to believe that a team from the Thompson Okanagan Jr. B will be in attendance.

The exact format and scheduling of the Tournament cannot be finalized until the Organizing Committee confirms the number of teams.

Venue

The Bid Steering Committee has been very fortunate to have secured, from the City of Calgary, a booking for the Max Bell Centre to host the 2015 Founders’ Cup.

This fully wheelchair accessible and air conditioned facility seats approximately 2,100 spectators and has room for upto 3,000 people including standing room. It has parking for over 500 vehicles and is located within a 10 minute walk of the Calgary LRT system.

The facility has a full service concession and beer service facilities. These food and beverage services are independently operated on a contractual basis with the City of Calgary. The Organizing Committee has only had a brief discussion with the operator, but has been advised that these services will be operational during the course of the Tournament.

Accommodations

The Organizing Committee working with the Calgary Sports Tourism Authority has secured a block of rooms at two hotels (Carriage House and Delta South Calgary) sufficient to accommodate all of the teams and their related out of town spectators (family and friends) and other accommodation needs of the Tournament (Referees, CLA Officials etc). Initial check in will be on Monday, August 17 (as teams must be in town 24 hours prior to the start of competition) and check out dates being either Sunday, August 22 or Monday, August 23, depending upon the success and wishes of the competing teams.

All rooms will contain two beds and permit up to quad occupancy. Each of the properties have included in the negotiated room price a hot breakfast at no additional charge.

Schedule of Events

Consistent with the CLA Competition Calendar, it is proposed that Founders’ be held from Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 23, 2015. A general outline of the schedule is set forth below:

Monday, August 17Pre-Tournament Meetings (Day)

Welcome Bar-B-Q for the teams (format to be determined)

Tuesday, August 18Competition – Round Robin

Friday, August 21

Thursday, August 20Banquet (format to be determined)

Saturday, August 22Competition – Cross Over

Sunday, August 23Competition - Medals

Game Logistics

At the present time, it is anticipated that each of the games will follow a similar format and require similar resources, although Medal Games will have certain additional requirements.

The Organizing Committee will provide for each game, four trained, reliable off floor officials, a timekeeper, scorekeeper and two individuals to operate the penalty gates. These individuals will be cross trained such that they are interchangeable in more than one task. The timekeeper will be trained and competent in the operation of the console and scoreboard equipment.

Each game will begin with the National Anthem (live or tape TBD) and a general team introduction. An announcer, obtained by the Organizing Committee, will be responsible for announcing all goals, assists and penalties,in addition, to making any general tournament announcements, sponsor recognition announcements or other announcements approved by the Organizing Committee. The Announcer will also provide announcements between periods.

Appropriate music will be provided during warm up and during breaks in the game.

At the conclusion of each game the teams will shake hands after which they will proceed to their respective defensive restraining lines for the announcement of the respective team game MVP`s as chosen by their coaching staff.

Medal Presentations

Medal presentations will occur on the Sunday, following each of the Gold and Bronze Medal Games, respectively. It is the intention of the Organizing Committee that these events also feature Minor Lacrosse players and special guests to add to the experience and event.

Transportation

The Organizing Committee will ensure that a shuttle type service is available for teams to get to and from their games and any other tournament activities, as well as all required transportation for officials and CLA representatives during the Tournament.

The Organizing Committee will contact all competing teams which are flying into Calgary to determine their transportation needs to and from the Airport and make the appropriate arrangements (at the expense of the individual teams). It is currently anticipated that the cost to the individual teams of such service will be approximately $200 for each trip.

Ticketing Information and Prices

Although gate receipts are a significant portion of the overall revenue generated at the Tournament, cost of admission has a significant impact on overall attendance and who attends the event. Our experience from attending Founders’ in the past has made the Bid Steering Committee very sensitive to this issue. In order to meet some of the goals and objectives set forth above, the Organizing Committee has made a conscious decision to keep admission prices on the lower side of the range of previous Tournaments and work harder to replace that revenue with sponsorship and advertising dollars.

The tentative price schedule for the 2015 Founders’ Cup being proposed by the Mounties is as follows:

Adult Tournament Pass$60.00 (includes Medal Games)

Daily Adult$10.00(Excluding Sun Aug 23–Medal Games)

Daily Adult$15.00 (Sunday August 23 – Medal Games)

Child 11 to 16 Tournament Pass$25.00 (includes Medal Games)

Daily Child 11 to 16 $5.00 at all times

Children 10 and underFree at all times

For the first time in the history of the Founders’ Cup immediate family members of players will be provided the opportunity to purchase discounted Tournament Passes in advance of the Tournament. The Organizing Committee is proposing that this discount be 50% of the regular prices

Medical Support and Contingency Planning

The Organizing Committee understands that facilitating timely, competent and accessible medical assistance is an important responsibility of the Host. A Medical Support Committee Chair, with the appropriate experience and qualifications, has been appointed to head this aspect of the Tournament.

Prior to the Tournament, the Medical Support Committee will develop an Emergency Response Plan (an “ERP”) which will deal with a variety of contingencies and establish protocols to address these situations.

The Medical Support Committee will also identify the needs and requirements of the Tournament and its participants (including players and spectators) and will secure the resources required to meet same.

Other Activities

Silent Auction

The Organizing Committee is planning a Silent Auction which it believes can make a significant contribution to the Tournament revenue stream.

Vendors Lane

If there are requests from third parties, the proposed venue has sufficient space that a series of vendor booths could be accommodated at the Tournament. This “Vendor’s Lane” in addition to providing a different element may also provide a additional revenue stream

Food Trucks

Subject to the outcome of discussions with the concession holder at the proposed venue, there is potential to host a rotating schedule of Food Trucks in the parking lot which would add an interesting element and local favour to the Tournament.

Website

The CLA is in the process of establishing a website template for all National Competitions in 2015. The Organizing Committee has been in contact with the CLA on a regular basis and provided input into the content and structure of the website. The Organizing Committee will be responsible for populating the website with Tournament specific information and has already secured the services of a web development company to assist in this regard

Content will include:

1.Schedules;

2.Results;

3.Statistics;

4.Ticket Information;

5.General Venue and Tournament Information;

6.Organizing Committee Contact Information;

7.Photographs and video excerpts;

8.Sponsors; and

9.Social Media and other relevant Links.

Webcasting

The Organizing Committee is engaged in ongoing discussions to enter into an arrangement with an Alberta webcasting company which specializes in sporting events. It is the intention of the Organizing Committee that ALL games will be available by webcast for a small fee charged to the subscriber.

Television Coverage

The Organizing Committee has had detailed discussions with Shaw Cable 10 who have provided a preliminary indication that they are prepared to televise the Sunday, August 23 games. This would require the Organizing Committee to provide certain resources to Shaw which the Committee believes is very realistic.

Volunteers

The Bid Organizing Committee has prepared a preliminary list of volunteer positions and requires, which combined with information contained in the final reports of previous Founder`s Tournaments obtained from the CLA Office suggests that approximately 120 volunteers will be required to effectively operate the Tournament.

The Bid Steering Committee recognizes the importance of treating volunteers properly and the need to recognize their contributions. As a result, monies have been included in the budget to fund Volunteer T-Shirts, food in a Volunteer/VIP Lounge to be operated throughout the tournament and to fund a Volunteer “Thank You” event after the completion of the competition.

Promotion

The proper promotion of the Founders’ Cup will be a critical element of its success. This promotion must be directed at both the general public and the Lacrosse community.

The Organizing Committee will undertake the development of a Logo for the Event, Facebook page, Twitter account and the development of a Promotion Strategy and Plan.

The Organizing Committee will develop a poster which will be distributed throughout the City and surrounding, with a focus on Athletic facilities, promoting the Tournament

Media

The Organizing Committee has had preliminary discussions with members of the Calgary print and electronic media to obtain insights and advice as to how best approach the media in publicizing the competition prior to the Tournament and covering the Tournament itself.

A Media Relations Committee will be established and be responsible for this important task.

Program

The Organizing Committee will produce a Tournament Program, a copy of which will be provided to each of the participants free of charge, and will be included in the Team Welcome Packages. Tournament programs will be available for sale to all others for a price of $5.00.

The Tournament Program will be a full color production and it is hoped will be between 40 and 56 pages. The length of the Program will be dependent upon the number of teams and amount of advertising the Organizing Committee is able to sell.

Merchandise

The Organizing Committee is in the process of finalizing a list of merchandise which will be for sale at the Tournament. This merchandise will feature the Tournament logo. The merchandise will be on sale at the Tournament venue throughout the competition.

Respectfully submitted,

2015 Founders’ Cup Organizing Committee

Calgary Mountaineers Junior “B” Lacrosse Club

1