By Colton Swiderski

Rush helping lacrosse grow in Saskatchewan

Feb 3, 2017 | 6:43 AM

Lacrosse participation is growing across the province and it might have something to do with the excitement generated from a two-time championship winning, professional team.

From approximately 1,700 players in 2013, to over 2,200 last season, executive director of the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association (SLA), Bridget Pottle attributed the growth to both the Saskatchewan Rush organization and initiatives by the SLA.

“We’ve been doing some trial lacrosse clinics the past couple years but I definitely think a professional team moving to Saskatchewan, bringing the excitement with them has definitely promoted the sport in general,” she said.

Pottle added more kids are attending clinics than ever before and more are calling wanting to know where they can play. The SLA hosts trial clinics which help to both determine the level of interest in a particular community and to introduce the sport.

Pottle said the Rush players do a phenomenal job of promoting lacrosse.

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“[We’re in] talks with the Rush trying to arrange with their schedules to have a player attend some of our clinics,” Pottle said. “Like any sport, when you have professional players coming out and working with the players, it creates that excitement. Those players want to be like the player who came out, especially the little guys.”

Rush head coach and general manager Derek Keenan said he’s very excited by the work done at the grassroots level.

“A tremendous job by Saskatchewan minor lacrosse to build, and hopefully we have something to do with that,” he said.

In the team’s inaugural season in Saskatchewan, player Jeremy Thompson and Keenan hosted clinics geared towards the Indigenous community.

Keenan said this year the Rush organization is planning clinics this March in Saskatoon and Regina.

“Hopefully they’ll be well attended. I know I’ll be involved from a coaching perspective and a couple of our players [will be there] as well,” he added.

Rush captain Chris Corbeil said the game’s growth can, in large part, be attributed to awareness.

He said the fact there’s a pro team bringing in 15,000 plus fans a game, having it televised and on the radio is showcasing the game of lacrosse across the province.

“It’s a great game, it’s a fun game, for anyone who’s seen it they’ll testify it’s a lot of fun and in a lot of cases, myself included, fall in love very quickly. It’s a fun, fast paced game with a little bit of violence too,” he said.

Corbeil, however, said there needs to be more than just interest to develop the sport.

“… There has to be infrastructure and knowledgeable teachers and coaches if the players are going to develop,” he said. 

Saskatchewan has 10 minor lacrosse associations. Saskatoon and Regina each have two; a field and a box lacrosse league. Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Estevan, Yorkton and Melfort also have associations.

Communities like North Battleford, Humboldt, and Weyburn have recreation lacrosse leagues, however, they aren’t part of an association.

colton.swiderski@jpbg.ca           

On Twitter: @coltonswiderski