By Nathan Kanter

Grassroots lacrosse growing in Battlefords

Feb 13, 2017 | 1:03 PM

The game of lacrosse has seen positive steps in recent years in the province of Saskatchewan, and there was proof of that at the grassroots level this past Sunday at the NationsWEST Field House in North Battleford.

The facility was crawling with young kids all looking to dip their hands in a brand new sport, as the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association (SLA) ran the successful clinic that had strong attendance.

The SLA runs clinics around the province and was encouraged by how things went in the Battlefords.

“Great turnout,” said Neil Hruska, the SLA representative who taught both sessions. “[Clinics are] something we’ve seen a lot of interest with, especially around the province over the past couple years. Benefits of the [Saskatchewan] Rush coming in to Saskatoon of course, but it’s our job to work and grow the game and that’s what we’re out here to do.”

Hruska has been involved in the sport for eight years, as both a coach and parent.

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He is also a member of the Saskatoon Box Lacrosse Association, which saw a 25 per cent increase in registration last year. This year, he expects a 30 to 33 per cent increase, mostly in the younger age groups.

Hruska said having a National Lacrosse League team appear in the mainstream media and in advertising has helped grow the game in the province.

“Bringing the professional game, professional box lacrosse, to Saskatchewan has really given [a] place where people are seeing it… so it becomes more prominent,” he said. “[Without it], the kids don’t get exposure to it and that’s especially true with lacrosse. It’s not a really big game within Saskatchewan.”

There were 20 boys, aged 8-13, at the first clinic, while the second one for 14-plus, as well as the staff who will help run the Battlefords Alpha Lacrosse League, saw roughly half that.

The clinic got down to the basic fundamentals of the game for both groups, including drills on how to hold the stick, and how to shoot and pass properly. Those basics are necessary for the older group as well as the younger kids because much of the staff who will help with the Battlefords league that begins in March, have never held a lacrosse stick either.

“The only difference [between clinics] is I’ll spend a lot more time talking about the skills and why you do it, so they can explain it to the people they’re teaching,” Hruska said.

Halfway through the first clinic, Hruska also took a moment to encourage parents to get their daughters involved. There aren’t any girls-only leagues due to a lack of numbers, but most leagues, including the Battlefords Alpha Lacrosse League, are co-ed.

Hruska’s own daughter currently plays, which he said has been great for her self-confidence.

“I think the game itself really is a great sport for girls, especially younger girls, to play, [because] they gain self confidence in being able to stick up for themselves,” he said. “I actually like the fact that she’s confident enough to hit boys with sticks.”

With ice hockey being the dominant sport in the province, Hruska said having a lacrosse facility in the Battlefords that is played on turf is extremely helpful, because in his experience more and more hockey teams want to push their seasons further into the spring, which makes it difficult to have box lacrosse sessions.

“Facilities in North Battleford where you can actually do field lacrosse are wonderful,” he said. “It’s a great facility and it’s not tied up by a lot of other sports, so it’s great access for the kids.”

The Battlefords Alpha Lacrosse League begins March 7. The league runs on Tuesday nights and has four divisions, three for youth, and one adult.

For more information, call 306-445-1790.

Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11