INNISFAIL - As part of a community celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, Innisfail students were recently given a hands-on experience to learn more about Canada's national summer sport.
Dan Taylor, 23, an Alberta native and one of Canada's top lacrosse players with the Saskatchewan Rush, recently made a three-day visit to Innisfail to share his passion and love for the game.
"I was really excited to talk to the kids in Innisfail about lacrosse," said Taylor.
"It was interesting talking to the kids and introducing them to a sport that a lot of them hadn't really heard about before," he added. "It was a lot of fun."
Taylor was invited by the Innisfail Minor Lacrosse Association (IMLA) to visit last month as part of a challenge by the town for user, sport and community groups to help promote Canada's 150th birthday within the community.
Dara Gooder, vice-president of the IMLA, said the sports club took up the challenge and arranged to have Taylor speak at three local schools in February. He spoke at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School, …cole John Wilson Elementary School and Innisfail Middle School.
"We wanted to expose lacrosse to as many kids as possible so that they knew what Canada's summer sport was," said Gooder.
Daryle Zimmer, coach and player development coordinator said it was important for the club to help celebrate Canada's milestone this year.
"We wanted a way for lacrosse and an understanding of the game to be the hot topic for Innisfails kids," says Zimmer. "To have over 300 kids pick up a lacrosse stick and learn the game was inspiring and a proud moment for IMLA."
Taylor was named the Coors Light Rush 2016 Rookie of the Year and finished sixth in Canada last year with a 4.81 points per game average. He is the highest National Lacrosse League draft pick ever chosen from the Alberta Junior League (12th overall in 2015 NLL entry draft).
He has played professional lacrosse for two years with the Saskatchewan Rush.
Taylor introduced lacrosse with a bit of its history and demonstrated some of the techniques used in the game.
"We discussed the First Nations historical background of lacrosse and why it's important to Canada," he said. "I taught some skills and tricks, passing and shooting to get them playing."
He was happy to share his passion for the game with Innisfail students.
"It's really important for me to give back to other people," said Taylor. "I think the grassroots movement of lacrosse is really important because I know how much opportunity there is for kids in the sport."
Gooder said it was a great experience to have Taylor speak at local schools.
"It's really inspiring to see kids get excited about our national summer sport," she said.
The IMLA is open to youth ages four to 16, noted Gooder. Regular spring season practices begin the second week in March and run until the third week in June.
"We're hoping that as many kids as possible in our community are exposed to lacrosse and they have the opportunity to come play if they want to," said Gooder.
For more information visit www.innisfaillacrosse.com
Dan Taylor, Saskatchewan Rush player
"I think the grassroots movement of lacrosse is really important because I know how much opportunity there is for kids in the sport."
