ABOUT
ABOUT
ABOUT
At the Pickering Ironheads, we believe lacrosse is more than just a game, it’s a community.
Our journey began in 2001, as the West Durham Minor Lacrosse Association and West Durham Rock. Under the direction of founding member Don Swindells, we not only had strong Rep teams but also grew a formidable House League, boasting at least four teams in every division from U7 to U22. Those early years set the standard for what lacrosse could be in our region, a place for every child to pick up a stick, find their competitive spirit, and grow.
Though we experienced a decline leading up to 2017, we launched an aggressive outreach campaign to introduce a new generation to the "fastest game on two feet.” Through our “Try Lacrosse” school programs and special clinics featuring NLL legend Bruce Codd, we didn't just recruit players; we sparked a passion for the sport throughout West Durham classrooms.
When the world paused in 2020, we didn't. While many organizations shuttered their programs, West Durham stayed on the field. By transitioning to outdoor programming and finding creative ways to keep sticks in hands, we ensured our players stayed connected and active.
We emerged from the pandemic stronger, more organized, and more energized than ever before. Leading to unprecedented growth over the years since the pandemic and our recent club evolution to the Pickering Ironheads, aligning ourselves with our local Junior B team, the West Durham Ironheads, like so many of the formidable programs across the province.
MISSION
To foster a lifelong passion for the game by providing an inclusive environment where youth athletes in West Durham develop the skills, character, and resilience necessary to succeed both on and off the floor.
VALUES
Player Development
We are a teaching organization. Whether a player is picking up a stick for the first time or competing at the highest level, our focus remains on skill acquisition and fostering a love of the game
Sportsmanship
Being an Ironhead means competing with class. We hold ourselves to a higher standard, respecting the officials, honouring our opponents, and playing with discipline.
Community
We are more than just a collection of teams, we are a West Durham institution. We believe in the power of a "lacrosse family," where older players mentor the younger ones and our club serves as a positive pillar in the local community.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
We are committed to ensuring that every child in West Durham, regardless of their background, identity, or experience level, feels welcome in an Ironheads jersey. If you have the heart to play, you have a home on our floor.
Teamwork
No player is bigger than the team. We push each other to be better every day, on and off the floor. We celebrate the assist as much as the goal, knowing that our greatest successes come from working as one cohesive unit.
Resilience
We teach our athletes that true character isn't revealed when things are easy, but when they are difficult. We play hard, we finish the game, and we never back down from a challenge.
Growth & Evolution
From the Rock to the Rockmen to the Ironheads, we embrace change while honoring our past. We respect the leaders and players who built this foundation, and we carry that pride into every practice and every tournament.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the lands on which we gather to play lacrosse, traditionally known by Indigenous peoples as the Creator’s Game, are located within the Treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Williams Treaties signatories of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations. Pickering is also home to many Indigenous peoples and communities representing diverse, distinct, and autonomous Nations.
We recognize lacrosse as a sacred gift and honour the Indigenous peoples who have preserved and shared the game across generations. As the Pickering Ironheads learn, compete, and grow on this land, we are reminded of our responsibility to foster respect, deepen our understanding, and uphold our commitment to meaningful relationships with the First Peoples of Canada — today and for future generations.