McDade named Salmonbellies Director of Player Development

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - The New Westminster Junior Salmonbellies programs are excited to announce that Rory McDade will be joining the organization as Director of Player Development.  

"Rory brings with him a wealth of knowledge from his time as a coach and player in the National Lacrosse League and Western Lacrosse Association," said Warren Goss, general manager with the Junior A Bellies. "He will be working with all three teams in the New Westminster junior-lacrosse fold, with a primary focus on the many young and promising players within the organization."  

McDade starred with the Junior A Bellies as a player and coached the WLA Salmonbellies between 2018 and 2023, taking the team to a thrilling Mann Cup against Six Nations and sharing the WLA Coach of the Year honours with Nanaimo's coaching staff in the 2023 campaign.

"The Junior Bellies have been busy the last couple of years acquiring draft picks to supplement a strong group of players coming out of the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association," Goss adds. "We're excited about the future."

Russ Heard returns as the Junior A head coach in New Westminster for the season ahead with assistance from Andy Ogilvie as defensive coach - both are members of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame - and Kevin Crowley as the offensive coach.

In 2023, the Bellies went 6-15, finishing in sixth place in the league.

The 2024 Bellies' home opener is on Tuesday May 14 against Coquitlam at Queens Park Arena at 7 p.m., just three days after the kickoff to the BC Junior A season with two games on Saturday May 11.