Big-league lacrosse is coming back to Ottawa.

Say hello to the Ottawa Titans.

A league source confirmed that Ottawa has been awarded a Jr. A lacrosse franchise which will begin play in 2005.

An official announcement is expected to be made today at a press conference at Liam Maguire's Restaurant, at 11:30 a.m.

"This is great for lacrosse in Ottawa ... and all of Eastern Ontario," said Rad Joseph, president of the new team. "It's also a big move for the Jr. A league, extending to this end of the province."

Ottawa will be the 12th Jr. A franchise in Ontario, with most of the teams based in the Toronto area. Peterborough will be the closest team to Ottawa.

While the NLL's Ottawa Rebel died because of a lack of fan support, that shouldn't be an issue for this team, which will play its home games at Earl Armstrong Arena.

"You don't really make money in lacrosse," said Joseph. "Jr. B is getting 200-300 people a game. I'd like to see us get 300 a game.

"This is community-based. If we're lucky we're not reaching into our pockets. But we're not pipe dreamers, we've got big plans down the road."

Joseph expects the club will have a coach in place by the end of this year.