Lakers' staff join Team Austria bench

Burnaby Lakers staff members Kyle Sorensen and Julian Kolb will be joining forces with former Laker Jacob Safarik to work with the Austrian Box Lacrosse team as they head to the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in Langley this September. It will be the nation's first appearance at a WILC.

Lakers General Manager Kevin Hill is an enthusiastic supporter of the venture, saying, "This union will provide a great learning experience for everyone involved as well as giving our guys the ultimate opportunity to grow the game of lacrosse."

Lakers' Defensive Coach Kyle Sorensen will take on the role of head coach with Team Austria. 

Kyle joined the Lakers before the start of the 2018 season after a very impressive career as a player. He won a Champions Cup in the NLL, four Mann Cups and is one of few players to have won a Minto Cup and a Mann Cup in the same year.

Lakers' Assistant General Manager Julian Kolb will take on the role of Defensive Coordinator with Team Austria. 

Julian is a lifelong lacrosse player whose journeyman career carried him through opportunities at all levels of Ontario and BC men's lacrosse. Through his experience in the OLA, WLA and WCSLA, Julian has worked with many of today's most talented players. Most recently, Julian joined the New England Black Wolves as their Western Scout.

Jacob Safarik was drafted by the Lakers in the 2009 and played two seasons with the team. Jacob will serve as Team Austria's Offensive Coordinator.

The timing of the tournament and training preparations works with the Lakers schedule and neither the coaches nor the other staff in Burnaby anticipate that the commitments will interfere with the 2019 WLA season.

Hill went on to add, "We're extremely proud of these guys going out and getting involved with newcomers to the world stage and sharing their skills. We think they're going to really benefit from being a part of this tournament."

Follow along with Team Austria on their way to the WILC this September. They can be found on Facebook, Instagram and if you'd like to show your financial support, the team also has a Go Fund Me page to help with the costs involved in sending the team.

Photos are courtesy of Lakers team photographer, Garrett James. A showcase of his work can be found here.