The office of Jack Crosby, Burnaby’s Mr. Lacrosse, was a classroom with fond memories for Susan Kirkby. It was where Kirkby, Burnaby Minor Lacrosse’s super organizer, got to talk lacrosse, a sport her family had embraced wholeheartedly, and learn “from a true mentor.”
Kirkby became the organization’s registrar in 2004, something she continues to do although she’s also became its president in 2022. But when Crosby, who became an honoured member of the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame with its first group that was chosen for induction in 2001, died in January 2008, he left behind a huge void.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced as a volunteer with Burnaby Minor Lacrosse was the loss of Jack Crosby,” Kirkby tells the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame. “Jack was not only a mentor, but also the guiding force behind much of the club’s success, and maintaining stability without his guidance was a significant challenge.
“Another hurdle was encouraging others to step up and volunteer, building a strong, committed team doesn’t happen automatically. I also had to learn the art of delegation, trusting others to take on responsibilities so I wouldn’t become overwhelmed. Each of these challenges taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of teamwork in keeping the club thriving.”
Rise to the challenges she certainly did.
The organization had an annual all-star tournament for under-11 players named after Crosby that had started in 2004. She took it over and it continues to thrive.
Kirkby’s tireless efforts have been recognized with awards both by Burnaby Minor Lacrosse and the BC Lacrosse Association, which gave her the Ruth Seward Award for volunteerism in 2011. She also served as second vice-president and first vice-president of the BMLA between 2009 and 2022.
It all started for her with a what she says was a simple desire to support kids and families in the community.
“I started as a volunteer because I saw how much joy and confidence lacrosse brought to young players,” say says. “Over the years, I saw how much happens behind the scenes, organizing, scheduling, communicating, fundraising, and all the invisible things that hold a club together.”
Dealing with dedicated volunteers, passionate coaches, supportive parents and amazing kids meant a lot to her. Equally meaningful, she says, was the moments she spent outfitting children with donated lacrosse gear and providing them with scholarships because without that support many of the organization’s young players would not have had the opportunity to play.
“What prompted me to get involved was a desire to help. What has kept me involved are the relationships, the memories, and the belief that Burnaby Minor Lacrosse isn’t just a sports club, it’s a family.”
Her own family played “a huge role” in Kirkby being able to shine as an organizational leader. Kirkby credits her husband and two sons for the patience allowing her to dedicate her time needed to run the organization, whether it be time spent on the computer, on the phone, in meetings or at the arena.
“My son Tyler’s love of the game was the spark that introduced me to the lacrosse community in the first place. Their support and encouragement have made it possible for me to give back and help foster the same love of the sport in others,” says Kirkby.
In addition to Crosby, Kirkby relied on the support and guidance of many other individuals such as Deb Heard, Tom Kellett, Bev Gilliam, Lee Loftus, Omar Dhanani, and the Lego and McKinnon families to name a few.
