This summer, three members of a Herring Cove family are heading in different directions for high level sporting events. Mike Laleune helped start the Herring Cove Southwest Hurricanes Lacrosse Club, and the Metro Minor Lacrosse League.

All summer, Mike and his sons Joe and Andre have only been able to spend three days in the same place, at the same time. 

The time they have to spend together is limited because Mike is heading to London to work as the lead training venue planning manager for London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. This won’t allow him to see much of his family: “Unfortuanately not,” he says, “Not for the next two years.” Mike says that he will miss his wife and two sons, but he wouldn’t want to miss this chance. “It’s a great opportunity, work-wise.”

Mike, Andre, and Joe are all lacrosse lovers.

Andre, 18, is heading to the national Minto Cup Championship, while Joe, 20, is going to the National Junior B Founders Cup. Both competitions are the highest in their respective divisions.

Joe and Andre will return to Bishops University in September, but for now, Mike gets to see his sons at the top of their games. There’s something special about that, because they’ve grown together. He helped found the lacrosse leagues for his sons. “At first, yes, it was for them,” he says. “That, and it’s just fun.”