Venom to co-host 80-team tourney

Times Reporter    

 

A tradition that began in 1977, the Canada Day Lacrosse Tournament – now sponsored by the Calgary Roughnecks – will be taking place from June 28-30 at the Calgary Soccer Centre. 

For this year, and next, Strathmore Lacrosse will be one of the two teams hosting. Roughly 80 teams from novice to midget will be participating in the event.

“It’s one of the, if not the biggest, lacrosse tournaments in North America,” said former president of Strathmore Lacrosse, Todd Betterton. “The kids come sometimes from all over the world. We’ve had teams come from Australia and the Czech Republic come over before. Primarily, it’s North America – a lot of teams from the U.S., including a team from California that’s been coming up for quite a few years.”

Strathmore is part of the Calgary District Lacrosse Association, along with Okotoks, High River, Rockyview, and one team for each Calgary quadrant. Each year, two host clubs drive donations and build a volunteer base for the tournament.

“It’s critical to the success of the tournament,” Betterton said, who will still be volunteering though he is no longer president. Calgary SE will be hosting alongside Strathmore; any profits that arise from the Canada Day Tournament will be split between the two associations.

“It’s a way for our club to keep fees low, and it’s a way for our club to buy equipment and floor-time. It’s also a way to help progress the game of lacrosse in Strathmore,” Betterton said. “But it’s a major, major endeavour for us.”

The Strathmore Venom will be sending four teams to the tournament, facing off against 1,400 other players.

“It brings exposure to teams they’ve never played before. It’s typically higher-level lacrosse,” Betterton said. “You’re going to be playing some teams from B.C. and from the U.S., and from potentially out east, that have played the game a lot longer than we have here in Alberta.”

Current president of Strathmore Lacrosse Chris Iversen, and head of sponsorship Deanna Weis are still looking for help. Over 100 volunteers will be needed for the tournament. Go to strathmorelacrosse.com for details.