A developmental field lacrosse league is in the works for the Sunshine Coast
"We will run practices to develop skills and knowledge of the game and train officials and hope to have competitive teams next year," said co-ordinator Pam Service. "This year we invite players aged eight and up to come and play this fast-paced game. If we have enough players to make a team, we will look into having some exhibition games with other teams or entering a tournament."
Plans are also in the works for BC Lacrosse to come to the Sunshine Coast to host a development day and a coaches and officials clinic. According to Service, Simon Fraser University has also offered to come to the Coast and host a clinic and a presentation on the college recruitment process.
The field lacrosse season is September to mid-February with a break mid-December to mid-January with provincials taking place to the end of February. Deadline for registration of players with BC Lacrosse is Oct. 31.
For those unfamiliar with field lacrosse, it is different from box lacrosse in terms of the rules, number of players and amount of contact. A field lacrosse team has 10 players on the field at any one time. The game is played on a field (artificial turf) that is similar in size to a soccer field. The game is divided into four quarters, each approximately 15-minute running time in length. There is no shot clock so the offensive strategy is built around moving the ball around in the other team's end until you can get a good shot at the net. It also means ball possession is important.
Equipment is pretty much similar to box lacrosse: helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, elbow pads, stick, jock, mouth guard and cleats and, while not mandatory, kidney pads should be used. There is some optional field lacrosse specific equipment players can use: helmet with brim, which is generally to keep the sun out of the player's eyes, but in B.C. it's for the rain (however, a hockey helmet is fine), lighter weight sticks, turf specific cleats (lighter weight than soccer and designed for different turf conditions).
After participation in a season of field lacrosse most players generally see an improvement in their stick skills and are more prepared conditionally for box lacrosse.
"Field lacrosse would be a great complement to hockey, soccer, baseball and softball to maintain or improve one's fitness level," Service added. "Field lacrosse will be part of the Sunshine Coast Lacrosse Association, but we need a separate executive. We need our own vice-president, secretary, treasurer and registrar, and it would be nice to have a head official, equipment manager and fundraising coordinator."
Details on a parents and players information meeting will be announced soon. In the meantime, contact Service via email [email protected] if you are interested in supporting the growth of field lacrosse on the Sunshine Coast in the role of a player, coach, official, member of the executive or sponsor.
- Submitted
