Registration for the fastest game on two feet has surpassed expectations this season. The Badlands Lacrosse Association is gearing up for the upcoming season with the most fresh faces they have seen.
Lacrosse registration filled most of the teams, save the Midgets. There were enough participants to fill a mini Tyke, Tyke, Novice, Pee Wee, and there has been a lot of interest in a Junior Team. The Novice and Junior teams are bursting, with 21 and 20 players apiece.
Last year, all of the teams were filled, the difference being this year there are a tonne more kids new to the sport joining up.
“I think the registrations went well, thanks to the school visits we had from Jesse Fair,” speculated Ren Dumaine, president of the Badlands Lacrosse Association. “Sometimes the registration forms sent to the schools are not enough.”
The Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA) hired Fair to travel across the province and give demonstrations to schools in a bid to generate more interest in the sport. To compliment the ALA’s initiative, the Badlands Lacrosse Association made an appearance at the Sports, Recreation, and Arts Expo in the Badlands Community Facility on March 7.
“The expo was excellent for us, there was a line up at our booth the whole time. Showing everyone the equipment and parents what the kids need,” said Dumaine.
Compared to hockey, Dumaine argues that lacrosse can be more accessible for parents.
“Not everyone can skate, hockey is quite expensive, and the hockey season is longer,” said Dumaine. “It’s cost effective for parents to have their kids try lacrosse.”
For the near future, the association will be gearing up for the upcoming season, but already have a few plans to bring more lacrosse action to Drumheller.
“Hopefully we can host a few tournaments in Drumheller, in the arena and Community Facility,” said Dumaine. “We can get people interested if they see it played at that level.”
Dumaine also speculated that, after the season is underway, there may be room to start a recreation league.
For more information regarding lacrosse, visit www.badlandslacrosse.com.