Throughout his entire lacrosse career, Phil Sanderson was known for his stellar play as a defensive specialist. Clearly, he was successful, winning nine championships (2 Minto Cups, 3 Mann Cups, 3 Champions Cups, 1 MLL championship). He is acknowledged as being a team leader at every level he has played. His personal skill set, attitude, and tenacity were key factors in the teams he played for achieving success and winning championships. Beginning in 1994, Phil played five seasons for the Orangeville Northmen of the OLA Junior “A” league, being team Captain in 1997 and 1998. He won the John McCauley Trophy as the Top Defensive Player in 1997 and was selected to the OLA Junior “A” All-star team three times – 1995, 1997, 1998. At the senior level, Phil played eleven seasons, including being a member of three winning Mann Cup teams – 2002, 2008, and 2009. At the Box Pro level, he played fourteen seasons in the NLL, including three Champions Trophy championships: 2005, 2008, and 2011. In the Field game, he was with the Toronto Nationals in 2009 and 2010, winning the league championship in 2009. He also achieved success on the international stage, representing Canada in two World Field Lacrosse Championships. He was a member of the bronze medal-winning team in 1996 and captured a silver medal in 2002.
