In any new endeavour, growth comes in baby steps.
For Lacoka’s Bantam girls lacrosse team, those baby steps come one game at a time with coaches and players celebrating the little successes. The female team played the Sherwood Park Titans Sunday, May 8 and while they lost 10-1, the players were all smiles after leaving the arena.
Coach Julie Barnes said the Locos have an uphill battle playing in the Edmonton female lacrosse league as many of the other teams have been playing since novice stage, but the sport is still new for Lacoka’s bantam girls.
“Our girls have either played a year or are either brand new to it this year. We just need to learn some new stick skills,” she offered.
Learning is continuous. Barnes said coaches bring in drills that help hone several important techniques in the sport. She added that with one drill it was possible for players to learn several different aspects of lacrosse.
While players may have a learning curve the attitude is always positive. “We have a great captain (Allison Swan). She’s always on the bench applauding the girls.”
On top of that, Barnes says the players are celebrating their successes on and off the court.
“It would be easy to them to hang their heads but with our group of girls they get along so well. They bring each other up.”
Barnes’ hope is to see more female athletes try out the sport so that it develops and grows.