Lacrosse booming in Strathmore

Times Reporter    

 

Registration for Strathmore Lacrosse has closed for the upcoming summer season, but with 230 players enrolled, numbers are up significantly from 2013.

“It’s up probably about 25 new players from last year,” said Strathmore Lacrosse President Chris Iversen. “I think people are just hearing about lacrosse, from word of mouth – especially at the younger ages.”

Fifteen teams have been made, including two mini-tykes, tykes, peewees, bantams, and girls.

“At the young levels, we’re focusing on their basic skills, like scooping and catching, just to get the idea of the game,” Iversen said.

Along with one junior team, this year there are three novice squads – a first for Strathmore Lacrosse. Novice, Iversen said, is when play starts becoming more competitive. 

He also noted that the Strathmore Venom will be able to select some novice players for an elite team to represent the town at a tournament this season. Not only that, but the club is one of the host associations for the 80-team Canada Day Tournament, and are submitting one team at every level in the B division.

The only spots still available for Strathmore Lacrosse are with bantam; practices begin mid-April, for games in May.

Iversen recommends the game of lacrosse for all athletes, for teamwork and friendship, but especially hockey players in the off-season.

“Lacrosse is a great game for that, although it is quite a different game from hockey. Pretty well the only similarity between the two is that they have goalies; otherwise it’s closer to basketball than it is to hockey, rules-wise,” he said. “It’s really good just for general game awareness, and for getting good hands for hockey players; soft hands are an important skill in hockey, and lacrosse develops that really well.”