CARLYLE - The sport of box lacrosse is relatively new to the area and the Observer recently met up with area co-ordinator Rod Day at the Gordon F. Kells High School.
Day is a carpenter and resides in Carnduff. He has four sons ages seven, nine, 11 and 13. For several years he has been taking them to Estevan to play lacrosse. He and his family became tired of all of the travelling and last year decided to form local teams and a league.
For the second consecutive year, box lacrosse is being made available in four southeast Saskatchewan towns with five age groups: under-6, U8, U10, U12 and U14. The towns and teams that are participating are the Carlyle Chaos, Carnduff Cobras, Moosomin Maulers and the Redvers Renegades.
Lacrosse is becoming more and more popular with younger athletes and provides a competitive and invigorating alternative to other sports. For equipment, all you need is a hockey helmet, hockey gloves, lacrosse stick, shoulder and elbow pads, and a pair of runners.
The game of lacrosse was invented centuries ago. While the game of hockey is Canada’s national winter sport, lacrosse is Canada’s national summer sport. It was an approved sport for the 1904 and 1908 Olympics, and was a demonstration sport in the 1928, 1932 and 1948 summer games.
Box lacrosse is played in a skating rink without the ice. It consists of five players per team on the floor at once, called runners, and a goalie. The goal nets are four feet wide by four feet high. There is a 24-second shot clock which provides for exciting and non-stop action.
Added Day, “Comparing box lacrosse to field lacrosse is like comparing checkers to chess. Field lacrosse has no shot clock and box lacrosse provides for greater action. It is the preferred spectator sport.”
The spring season starts in April and runs thru June. Often, the four towns will host their own weekend tournaments with all teams competing in one location, which is a tremendous boost to the local economy. Many parents have more than one child participating, and this is a novel travel idea. It may be noted that lacrosse does not interfere with minor ball scheduling and that young athletes can enroll in both.
Day is the founder of the Carnduff Lacrosse Association and last year the organization won the prestigious Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association Volunteer of the Year award.
Concluded Day, “Lacrosse is becoming more and more popular in our rural communities. It is inexpensive, fun, and a great workout. If you require further information, please do not hesitate in calling or texting me at 306-339-7513.”
