Spring has arrived, the ice is out of the Innisfail Arena and it's time for Canada's national summer sport to get rolling.
Lacrosse teams from tykes to midgets with the Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association have been busy practising in recent weeks, preparing for the season ahead.
“We developed a winter program where we partner with some of our alumni (members) called Flo Bros Lacrosse. Our winter program rolls into our pre-season so a lot of these players have had lacrosse sticks in their hands since January,” said Wally Genz, president of the association. “That has proved very beneficial to us.”
The regular season officially gets underway this weekend and runs until July. The Innisfail Phantoms play in the Central Alberta Lacrosse League.
“Every team has one game in Red Deer for that opening weekend (April 9 and 10),” said Genz. “Then we start rolling into our own home schedule.”
Pre-season registration numbers were lower this year, noted Genz, pointing to several factors including a tough economy.
“We decided not to increase our fees (this season). We are taking the initiative to make sure we have the support needed to get every player playing (lacrosse) that wants to play,” explained Genz. “We want kids to stay active.”
About 90 to 100 players have registered with the association this season, allowing for full rosters on teams.
“This year we (may) have smaller teams but we're still able to field a team at every level,” he said, noting the important role that junior coaches will have this season with the association.
Having completed the minor lacrosse program here, the junior coaches are now giving back to the community and are mentors to some of the younger players with the Innisfail minor lacrosse program, said Genz.
“Many of our junior coaches are alumni members that have current knowledge and skills and have been playing the game for at least seven or eight years,” explained Genz. “These guys are now able to give back. It's great to get these young men between 15 to 25 years of age giving back to the community.”
Genz pointed out that lacrosse is a popular sport today that benefits many and is enjoyed by many more.
“It's such a good cross-over sport. The skills and drills are the same (as many other sports),” said Genz. “There's agility, motion, constant movement, and hand to eye coordination. Everybody gets the benefit from this and it's a great sport for everyone,” Genz concluded.
Wally Genz
"Our winter program rolls into our pre-season so a lot of these players have had lacrosse sticks in their hands since January."
