By Robb Fenton
Although there is no junior team in Lloydminster, lacrosse is alive and well.
The Lloydminster Lacrosse Association is off and running in their 2010 season and things couldn’t be better according to a few of the coaches.
“We have 10 teams from Lloydminster, it grew this year by at least 40 kids and the other teams are starting to be more competitive. We still have a couple that are struggling, but they are coming along,” Lloydminster Bantam 2 assistant coach Gerard Boyer said.
Last week, two local bantam teams hit the court at the Common Wealth Centre, proving the sport is thriving this season.
Boyer said he feels the sport in general, not just locally, is getting more recognition.
“With some of the games being shown on TV a little more and with the Edmonton Rush and Calgary Roughnecks, that’s helping draw more attention,” he said.
The LLA has a mini tyke team, the Arby’s tykes, two pee wee teams, three novice teams, two bantam and a midget team who all play teams from Wainwright, Vermilion, Kitscoty and surrounding area.
Another way the sport has grown has been through the schools.
“We’re doing some stuff, the high school gave us a call and we’re going to be doing a few things with them,” Boyer explained, adding there are many ways to promote the sport.
“We’re going to try to do more things during Aboriginal Days and through the schools.
“We’re trying different avenues to get more interest and more exposure.”
Ray Heide coached the junior team before it was cancelled and said to see all the kids out playing and taking an interest is a great thing and should keep the sport flourishing into the future and hopefully enough to get the junior team back in the city.
“This is great, just great. This is the building blocks and keeping these kids excited and improving, everything from there just keeps getting better,” Heide said.