Registration still open for lacrosse

    The Badlands Lacrosse Association is looking at mentoring its younger players with players at the more senor levels to help develop skills.
    Registration night and the Association’s AGM was on Tuesday, March 2, and while numbers appeared to be down slightly, registrations are still open and coming in daily.
    There are traveling teams at the novice, pee wee, bantam and midget levels. This year the tyke and mini tyke players will practice once a week and play some make up games.
    This year the mini tykes will concentrate more on skill development and will be played in a non–competitive format. They will play cross-floor 3 on 3 with no goalies, no contact and no keeping score. They will use a soft lacrosse ball.
    The tykes will play in roughly the same format as the mini tykes, although the games will be 4 on 4, they will play on ¾ length floor, employ a goalie and use a regular lacrosse ball.
    “The big emphasis on both the tyke and mini tykes will be fun, learning the game, and more fun,” said Dave Powell president of the Badlands Lacrosse Association.
    To help the younger players along, the association is bringing in a mentorship program. This is where midget players and former players will volunteer their time to help develop the younger players. This will help in skill development for the younger players, and will help the older players develop leadership skills. The hours dedicated the program can be used for their volunteer time for school.
    The Badlands Lacrosse Association plays in the Central Alberta Lacrosse Association and the season kicks on with the Eye Opener tournament in Red Deer. The league’s season ends on June 13 with a double elimination playoff format over the following two weekends.
    Teams in the league include Three Hills, Olds, Didsbury, Innisfail, Red Deer, Blackfalds and Lacombe/ Ponoka.
    Because of the travel involved, the league has is implemented tournament-style weekends. The teams play a 12 game schedule, with May Long Weekend off.
    The new executive was appointed at the AGM. This year Dave Powell is president, and vice president is Steven Hayes. Lori Powell is the secretary/ registrar, treasurer is Heather Kakuk and director in charge of website is Kim Smyth. Joe Rowbottom and Tim Gendron are both directors.
    There is always a need for referees and coaches, and applications can be picked up at the Sports Room Source for Sports. Badlands Lacrosse will be hosting clinics for both on the near future.
    For more information, contact any board member or call the Sports Room Source for Sports at 403-823-3152.