Photo source: Griffins Lacrosse on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3397975960488551&set=pb.100008285403671.-2207520000..&type=3
D’Arcy Belyea told Gloucester Griffins GM Dave Smith that he would not sleep until their Jr. B Lacrosse club was the best program it could possibly be. Coming off a 4-16 season in 2019, Belyea led the Griffins to an 11-8-1 record and a playoff appearance in his first season as the team’s Head Coach.
“Everyone includes everyone at practice, and we work together and make sure that no individual is above or below anyone else. I think that cohesion as a group and putting the work in off the floor to build a team shows once you get out on the floor,” said Belyea.
Speaking with Belyea after Game 3 of their 1st Round series with Akwesasne, he praised his players performance after they nearly completed a comeback from a 6-0 deficit. “It is a testament to our players commitment to each other. One of our skills all year has been resiliency and I am very proud of them tonight.”
The Griffins play out of Earl Armstrong Arena and fell to the visiting Akwesasne Indians by a final score of 7-6 in Game 3 on Saturday night. The Indians prevailed on the road in Game 4 as well, scoring five unanswered goals in the 3rd period to win 10-9 on Sunday. With the victory, Akwesasne won the best-of-5 series 3-1 and advance to the Provincial quarterfinals.
Belyea started coaching 14 years ago at 19 years old. He spoke highly of other individuals in the city working hard to provide lacrosse players with the opportunity to succeed in Ottawa.
“The ability to get better comes from having dedicated people. The reality is there are so many dedicated people that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I think of executives in the minor level on both ends of the city who do tons of work. There is a lot of leadership in the city that is focused on serving other people and it is quite incredible.”
Nick Finlay and Sam Firth, two graduates of Minor Lacrosse in Ottawa, were a part of the Colorado Mammoth 2022 National Lacrosse League Championship team. The Mammoth defeated the Buffalo Bandits in the decisive Game 3 of the Finals on June 18.
“Seeing the clip of Sam Firth scoring a goal in the NLL Championship and celebrating with his dad after was incredible, that is what you coach for. The connections you build with people and seeing them be successful is what we all want.”
