Vancouver Warriors Rally Around Injured Teen Lacrosse Player with Special T-Shirt Fundraiser
The Vancouver Warriors demonstrated the tight-knit nature of the lacrosse community on Friday night by wearing special T-shirts during their pre-game warm-ups at Rogers Arena. The gesture was in support of 15-year-old Hayden Yerbury, a player from Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse who suffered a serious injury two weeks ago when he was struck in the back of the neck by a lacrosse ball during tournament warm-ups and remains hospitalized.
Fundraiser T-Shirts Show Solidarity
The black T-shirts featured the message "We Are One" alongside a lacrosse stick design and the number 21, which is Yerbury's usual jersey number. The shirts are part of a fundraising initiative organized by Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse and MVP Athletics, with $15 from each $20 sale going directly to the Yerbury family to assist with medical expenses and recovery costs.
"The shirts are available through Sunday according to an Instagram post from the organizers," noted team representatives. The initiative has gained traction throughout the lacrosse community, with coaches and players from various teams showing their support.
Team Members Express Personal Connections
Warriors forward Curtis Dickson, who wore one of the shirts during post-game media availability, spoke about his personal connection to the Yerbury family. "I've had a chance to coach Hayden and that family is just incredible," Dickson said. "Just being able to wear this for him and let him know that the whole lacrosse community is thinking about him and wishes him a speedy recovery."
Vancouver general manager and head coach Curt Malawsky added his perspective, noting that he has known Yerbury since childhood. "I've watched him grow up since he was four or five years old and that family is top drawer," Malawsky said. "He's fighting right now and we're all there for him. He's always asking his mom about the Warriors and when he's well enough we're going to get the team down there."
On-Field Success Amid Emotional Support
The emotional display didn't distract the Warriors from their on-field performance, as they defeated the Halifax Thunderbirds 8-7 in National Lacrosse League action before an announced crowd of 9,234 at Rogers Arena. The victory was particularly significant as it established a franchise record for wins since the club moved to the Lower Mainland in 2014 as the Vancouver Stealth.
Malawsky emphasized that the players themselves requested to wear the shirts during warm-ups. "The guys wanted to wear the shirts in the first warm-up," he explained. "They said that they weren't worried about any distractions and they wanted to support young Hayden and they did."
Playoff Positioning and Community Response
The win improved Vancouver's record to 12-5 and moved them into first place in the 14-team National Lacrosse League ahead of Saturday's slate of games. The Warriors had already secured a playoff spot and were positioned to potentially clinch home floor advantage in the first round depending on weekend outcomes.
The lacrosse community's response to Yerbury's injury has been widespread, with Malawsky noting, "The lacrosse community is a big family and when one of our own is down we're all there for him." He added that the coming days would be challenging for the young player's recovery, stating, "The next 12 days or so is going to be tough for him and we just have to keep him in our thoughts and prayers."
The Warriors conclude their regular season next Saturday when they host the Philadelphia Wings at Rogers Arena. The team, which was purchased by the Vancouver Canucks ahead of the 2019 season and moved from Langley Events Centre to Rogers Arena with a new nickname and look, is building momentum as they approach the playoffs with both competitive success and community spirit.
