Born in Victoria in 1952, James (Jim) Cain grew up in James Bay playing all the sports that his mother could afford. A Little League Baseball catcher, he was also a "Bat Boy" at Royal Athletic Park.
In 1961, Jim was introduced to men's Hockey by his mentor, Art "Pop" Green Sr. Jim was a stick boy in the Commercial Hockey League at Memorial Arena where he taped sticks, filled water bottles and observed Art treat injuries and develop special relationships with the players. He took on equipment duties and at age 25, became Head Trainer for the Esquimalt Maple Leafs. Around this time, Jim was introduced to Sports Therapist Wes Byrnell (GVSHOF inductee 2000), who also mentored him in taping techniques and treating injuries. Jim complemented his practical skills by taking sports medicine courses and earning a Leadership Degree at Camosun College. He became Head Trainer for the London Boxing Club and Victoria Athletics Soccer team, and also coached Special Olympics swimming.
Jim is best known for his many years of service with the Victoria Shamrocks Lacrosse team. In 1978, Bill Munroe (Head Coach) and Art Webster asked him to be an Assistant Trainer. Jim worked alongside Wes Byrnell and Denny Morris and in 1982, was named Head Trainer. Jim spent 37 years as the Head Trainer and, according to former player and Head Coach Walt Christianson, “his commitment to the team was second to none." Jim was a vital part of 15 teams that represented Victoria at the Mann Cup National Championships, winning seven titles.
Jim cared deeply about players health and safety. He helped the players prepare mentally and physically for each game and was responsible for treating injuries, ensuring equipment was repaired, water bottles were sanitized and uniforms were washed for the next game. "Jimbo" is affectionately remembered and loved by hundreds of players and team personnel who worked with him over the years.
In recognition of his achievement and service to the club, the Shamrocks enshrined a plaque in his honour on their Wall of Fame. The team also proudly supported Jim's 2017 induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Of special note, he is the only Trainer to be inducted to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Chris Welch (Shamrock GM and Governor) stated: "Cain was always there for the team, putting the team first and always representing what it means to be a Shamrock.”
Over the years, Jim has crossed paths with many players who have benefitted from his contributions. He was Head Trainer for the Canadian National men’s team (1994 World Field Lacrosse Championships Silver), Victoria Seaspray Field Lacrosse team (two-time Canadian Champions) and Calgary and Minnesota of the National Lacrosse League. "Daddy" Cain has also taken the time to help with his daughter's school teams and supported Special Olympics as a trainer and coach.
Jim is truly deserving of his place in the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
Archie in his policeman uniform. |
Archie in action |
The Gold Dust Twins |
Archie was born in 1927 and he clearly had a love of the sport from a tender age. Stan Shillington, in writing the history of BC Lacrosse, commented that during the late 1930s, a skinny little blond kid picked up a lacrosse stick in New Westminster and pronounced he had found his game. Older, wiser box lacrosse buffs chuckled, pointing out that, although the youngster was lightning-quick, he was too slight to endure the rough and tumble sport.
But Archie Browning built a net in his back yard and practiced until he could put that ball between the posts from any angle. After that, he attached a lard tin to each top corner and shot for the tins. At 17, he and lifetime buddy, Whitey Severson, tried out for the New Westminster Junior team, but were cut because both were considered too small. Not to be denied, they then tried out, and made, the Adanacs Senior club. As a matter of fact, Archie won the 1945 Rookie of the Year award by notching 61 points. After six years of stellar play elsewhere, Archie arrived in Victoria and commenced a run of eight seasons with the Shamrocks.
His hard work and shooting accuracy earned him accolades and he was named the Western League's playoff MVP in 1953. He captured the Western scoring title in 1951 and shared the same award with Severson in 1952. Archie took part in seven Mann Cup Championships in his career with three of those as a Shamrock. After two seasons coming up just short, the Shamrocks found the answer and they defeated their traditional rivals from Peterborough in the national final. The Daily Colonist headlines read "Victoria Goes Wild as Shamrocks Take Coveted Mann Cup."
Archie was one of the games truly great players and columnist, Denny Boyd, once wrote, "I think Archie Browning is the greatest lacrosse player I have ever seen. Jack Bionda has more flamboyance and more tricks, but I have never seen anyone who could do more offensively or defensively, who could shoot with such fantastic precision, or who played as hard as this little blond with the bleached eyebrows."
Archie wasn't just one of the brilliant lacrosse players of his generation. He gave back to the community in many ways including coaching junior box lacrosse between 1953 and 1958. He spent more than a decade as President, Director and Head Coach of the Esquimalt Minor Lacrosse Association, and he was a widely respected policeman on the Esquimalt Police Force.
Sadly, his life ended on November 18, 1989 at the age of 62, a victim of cancer. Two years later, the community he served, both as an athlete and a policeman, honoured him by officially renaming the Esquimalt Sports Centre the Archie Browning Sports Centre.
SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA SHAMROCKS LACROSSE TEAM
Search For an Inductee
Others In Category
- 1919 Victoria Foundation Lacrosse Club (1997)
- 1950-1999 Victoria Shamrocks Lacrosse (1999)
- Archie Browning (2012)
- Gary Gait (2010)
- Jim Cain (2023)
- Kevin Alexander (1997)
- Mason Sheldrick (1997)
- Paul Gait (2010)
- Ranjit Dillon (2005)
- Seasprays - Waxmen (2010)
- Victoria Shamrocks (1955) (2000)
- Whitey Severson (2012)
