(Photo courtesy/Melfort Lacrosse, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Spring Sports

Lacrosse season begins in Melfort

Apr 28, 2023 | 5:19 PM

The ice is out at the Northern Lights Palace in Melfort, and that can only mean one thing… it’s Lacrosse season.

Multiple age groups have been practicing since mid-March, however, they had to do so at the Kerry Vickar Centre because there was still ice at the rink.

Earlier this week, teams were able to begin playing at the Palace, as they get ready for their first games of the season, next weekend.

“It seems like Lacrosse has definitely picked up interest this year with a lot of new players, and we have at least four new coaches,” said Jill Gendall, co-president of the Melfort Lacrosse Association. “That’s exciting because lacrosse took a bit of a hit over COVID, and it took a while to build the program back up again.”

Melfort has U7, U9, U11, U13, and U15 teams, who all play from Monday to Thursday, twice a week on average.

Warm weather continues

Warmer-than-normal weather continues through the weekend

23h ago

Melfort candidate forum

Infrastructure, affordability, crime major topics at Melfort all-candidates forum

Nov 07, 2024

Humboldt mayoral candidate

Rob Muench hopes experience as mayor, councillor entices voters in Humboldt mayoral race

Nov 06, 2024

Currently, in their league, they will play teams from Prince Albert, Shellbrook, and Mistawasis.

“The theme for Lacrosse is to grow the game, we really want to grow the game in Melfort and the surrounding area,” Gendall added. “One thing that’s really neat about lacrosse in Melfort is that it draws from so many different communities. We have kids here from Tisdale, Naicam, Humboldt, Arborfield, and surrounding communities. We just love the opportunity to bring communities together in Melfort for our team.”

The season will run until the end of June, with playoffs to conclude the year, along with optional and additional year-end tournaments in July, such as provincials.

As of right now, the U15s will be competing in a tournament in Regina at the end of the season, while the other teams may participate in one in Warman.

“It’s a great opportunity for hockey players to develop additional skills, it’s fast-paced, exciting, and physical,” explained Gendall. “Lots of kids who play other sports really enjoy it as well, as it’s far more active than most other spring sports offered, so it draws in a lot of kids that way.”

Every year, the organization gets roughly two to three girls on each team, however, they’re always hoping for more.

They also want to promote the game in local Indigenous communities, and may even be posting learn-to-play days in the future.

–

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8