The Junior B Bulldogs lacrosse team has been operating in the City for at least the past three summers, and there is hope that enough players will be able to be put together to form a minor lacrosse team.
"There is definitely lots of potential for minor lacrosse here," offered Keenan Cummings upon completion of a lacrosse clinic offered at Kinsmen Arena last Wednesday night. Ten kids came out and were put through drills of the basics of lacrosse, Cummings said.
"It went really well."
The coaching staff for the clinic included Cummings, Joe Choptuik, coach of the Junior Bulldogs lacrosse team, as well as two of the players who played here last season, Brandan Wizniak and Brendon Turberfield.
Cummings said the Saskatchewan Lacrosse organization books clinics for no less then 10 players, so Yorkton qualified.
"They listened. They gave it their all," Cummings observed.
Choptuik, who is in his second year with Yorkton Junior lacrosse said he was hoping that more kids will come out to the net clinic as it would help to develop players locally who may then join the Junior squad when they become age-eligible.
"It's too bad we couldn't get more (kids out)," he said. "If you can get another eight out, you can start up a team."
He added that it would be good for the development of the game, which in some circles, is seen as 'Canada's national summer sport,' if players could be trained locally.
Lacrosse has been a sport that's been recognized by numerous National Hockey League stars over the years, including Joe Nieuwendyk and Doug Gilmour.
The similarities between hockey and lacrosse are very similar. As well, for those who can play, lacrosse, like hockey, basketball, baseball and football, there are US college scholarships available.
Lacrosse is also a great way to stay in shape and increase physical conditioning during the hockey off-season, and also prevents burnout.
Offensive skills in lacrosse can easily be transferred to hockey, as shooting at smaller targets and picking corners in lacrosse make it easier to do in hockey.
Cummings said the clinic in Yorkton went over the four fundamentals of lacrosse, including: scooping, passing, catching and cradling.
"They caught on very well," said Cummings.
