INNISFAIL – Although lacrosse season is months away, local players and interested individuals will have an opportunity to play the sport this winter.
“Our spring lacrosse session comes really fast,” said Dara Gooder, vice- president with Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association. “This (winter session) is a way for them to (practise and improve) their skills and keep them going into the spring.”
The winter sessions begin Jan. 8 and run until the middle of March in the north gymnasium at Innisfail High School.
“It's also a great opportunity for kids who are thinking about joining lacrosse, to try it out and see what they think of it before they join the spring program,” she added.
The association recently held two registration nights for the winter sessions on Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 at the Innisfail Arena. Officials tout the winter sessions as a fun, non-competitive way to practise skills and learn more about the sport.
Innisfail Minor Lacrosse partners with Flo Bros Lacrosse to provide the winter sessions.
“Trey Christensen from Flo Bros will be the head instructor in the program. He's an Innisfail Phantoms alumni who's had an enormous amount of success and has come back to Innisfail to coach,” said Gooder. “We're very fortunate that he continues to come back to Innisfail and support our program as well.”
His experience, knowledge and success in the sport benefit players of all ages, Gooder added.
“The kids who work with him have confidence and their skill level improves so quickly.”
Winter lacrosse is not just an Innisfail-based program, said Gooder. She added it is open to all lacrosse players and interested individuals in Central Alberta.
“We extend an invitation to all Central Alberta lacrosse players to come and join,” she said, noting such participating communities as Sylvan Lake, Olds, Red Deer and Didsbury.
Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association has held its winter lacrosse sessions for the past six years from January to March on Sunday nights.
The winter sessions are open to all age groups and levels.
“We have two sessions for the mini-tyke and tyke levels (ages three to five) and eight sessions for novice to midget players (ages seven to 16),” explained Gooder.
Although registration numbers are not complete, Innisfail Minor Lacrosse is anticipating a good turnout and another successful winter lacrosse session.
“We're hoping to see at least 20 kids in both of the older divisions and at least 10 in the mini-tyke and tyke sessions,” said Gooder.
There will be one more registration session on Jan. 3 at the Innisfail Arena from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information contact registrar Angela Robertson at [email protected]
Dara Gooder, vice-president with Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association
"It's also a great opportunity for kids who are thinking about joining lacrosse, to try it out and see what they think of it before they join the spring program."
