Langley – The Vancouver Stealth announced that Jamie Batley will succeed Dan Perreault as Head Coach of the Stealth effective immediately.
Batley, 49, is a Peterborough, Ontario native and is one of only 10 coaches in National Lacrosse League (NLL) history to have surpassed 80 games coached to exceed a 50%-win record. Batley previously was at the helm of the Colorado Mammoth (2003-05), Toronto Rock (2009) and Chicago Shamrox (2006-08). He has an NLL regular season record of 43 wins and 41 losses for a 51.2%-win percentage.
“We are excited to welcome Jamie to the Vancouver Stealth,” said team President and General Manager, Doug Locker. “I’ve known Jamie for years and have always respected his knowledge of the game and his leadership. As one of the NLL’s top winning coaches, we believe he can put us in a strong position for the second half of the season.”
As a coach, Batley has won five Mann Cups as Head Coach of the Major Series Lacrosse (MSL) Peterborough Lakers (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2012). In addition, he served as Head Coach for Team USA’s bronze medal performance at the 2003 ILF World Indoor Lacrosse Championship.
As a player, Batley was a Division I field lacrosse All-American playing at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and has also won multiple Minto Cup and Mann Cup Championships. In his NLL career, Batley played from 1995 through 2000 with the Buffalo Bandits (1995 and 1999), Syracuse Smash (1998), and Pittsburgh Crossfire (2000).
“I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to coach the Vancouver Stealth. I have watched the games this season and know they are a good group of players that are capable of going deep in the playoffs. I can’t wait to get started,” said Batley.
Dan Perreault departs the Stealth with a coaching record of eight wins in 22 regular season games (2015-16). In his tenure with the Stealth, he previously served as a scout (2011-12) and offensive coach (2013-14).
Locker finished, “I wish Dan all the best personally and professionally. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of our organization and is a loyal and respected figure within the team and in the community.”
Batley will make his coaching debut when the Stealth host the Saskatchewan Rush on Saturday, March 19 at the Langley Events Centre at 7:00pm PST. It is ‘Lacrosse On the Move’ night, with the first 1000 fans through the door receiving a free pack of Stealth player cards. For Tickets, please call 604.882.8800 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca.
