Interest in lacrosse in growing at such a rate that the Lacoka Lacrosse Association is seeing some of its biggest number of players, ever.
President Mike Wood could hardly contain his excitement during an interview Saturday, April 4, as players went through preseason drills at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex. “Our registrations are way up,” said Wood.
The association has enough interest that teams start at the mini-tykes and go all the way up to a junior team.
“We’ve never had three teams in one division before,” said Wood referring to three peewee teams.
Another exciting development is seeing more than 20 girls sign up for their female teams, something Wood says is a first for the association. He says they will have a girls’ peewee/bantam team and a midget team.
He says coaches and parents want to be involved and he feels this season will be one with many milestones. Wood added that lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in North America with associations putting together field and box lacrosse programs.
“The biggest thing that we have to develop is our coaches,” added Wood.
He feels as coaches develop their skills they will pass that learning on to the players. Wood says he is pleased to see older players returning to show the younger players valuable skills. “This year we’ve had quite a few players step up and say they want to come back.”
“You know you’ve won as an association when the kids that have come through want to give back,” he added.
The season is expected to start next week and Wood says Saturday, April 25 is a big day for the association because all the Lacoka lacrosse teams, including the mini-tykes, will be playing league games in Ponoka.
Wood says they are accepting registrations until May 5.
As the City of Lacombe is working on renovations at its arena, much of the season will be played in Ponoka. Lacoka generally shares floor time between the two municipalities. Check www.lacokalacrosse.com for more information.