INNISFAIL – You know spring has arrived when lacrosse season begins.
Innisfail Minor Lacrosse practices have begun, with another exciting year beginning March 12, and running until early July.
"We’re looking forward to a really good season. We’re going into the season with our bantam team as the defending league champions,” said league president Blake Sutherland. "They won the CALL (Central Alberta Lacrosse League) championship last year. It was very exciting.
"We have quite a large midget team as well, with lots of returning players this year,” he added.
Lacrosse practices will be held in the gym at Innisfail High School until the ice is out of the Innisfail Arena in early April, noted Sutherland. He added practices are Monday to Wednesday at the school until they move the location.
"Once we’re in the arena we practise Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said.
Dozens of kids have already registered for the season, noted Sutherland, adding they welcome lacrosse players in the mini-tyke, tyke, novice, peewee, bantam and midget levels.
"We have full teams (registered). We’ve declared one team in every division, which is typical for us every year,” he added, noting the possibility of two mini-tyke and two tyke teams this season. "It’s growing in popularity.
"It’s such a great offset sport for hockey in particular,” added Sutherland. "We promote it as a great way for hockey players to develop their hand-eye coordination.”
Innisfail Minor Lacrosse will host at least two tournaments this year including the Terror of the Tykes festival in early May.
"We also have our own S.O.S tournament, Spirit of the Sticks (the first week in June), for novice to midget players,” said Sutherland. "We also have (entered) to host the Central Alberta Lacrosse League peewee playoff tournament this year, the weekend of June 23.”
For more information visit www.innifaillacrosse.com
Blake Sutherland, president
"We're looking forward to a really good season."
