The Sunshine Coast Lacrosse Association is back for its second season.
Hoping to build on the success of its inaugural campaign, organizers are kicking off the season with a free lacrosse development day on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Elphinstone Secondary School.
The event, slated from 1 to 4 p.m., is a chance for interested players, coaches, parents and volunteers to come out and learn what lacrosse is all about. The age range for players is from six to 16. Players are asked to bring or wear gym gear and any equipment they might have. Some equipment will also be available to use.
League coach and co-ordinator Jim Cooper hopes to have a big turnout.
"We want to hype up the season as much as we can," Cooper said. "Last year we started out a little slowly. This year we want to get people interested right away and get the season off to a good start."
Besides information about the league, players and parents will be offered tips on equipment, skills and game play from qualified representatives from the B.C. Lacrosse Association.
The clinic will serve as a nice precursor to the association's AGM set for the Sunshine Coast Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m.Cooper said volunteer positions will be discussed as well as the election of a new executive committee.
Cooper added they hope to start the season in mid-April, as soon as the ice is out at the arena. The season would end in June with playoffs as the Sunshine Coast is hoping to join with the Zone 5 league which encompasses Burnaby to Delta.
"It depends on our numbers, but we want to get into some real game action this year," Cooper said. "We had a good first year, but we know we can do better. The initial response so far has been positive and we think the interest in the sport is quite high."
Drop-in lacrosse clinics have also started and are being held at Langdale and Kinnikinnick Elementary Schools and at Elphi.
Drop-in sessions at Langdale are Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. for girls and boys in Grades 1 to 7, at Kinnikinnick on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. for girls and boys in Grades 1 to 7, and from 8 to 9:30 p.m. for boys and girls in Grades 8 to 11.
Elphi also has a session on Thursdays for Grade 8 to 11 age levels from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Registration dates have been set for the association. They will take place on Feb. 21 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Source for Sports in Sechelt and Family Sports in Gibsons.
For more information about the league, email [email protected], call Cooper at 604-885-8809 or Arleigh at 604-886-3511.
