Fort St. John Lacrosse Association holds free drop-in sessions

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The Fort St. John Grizzlies lacrosse team. (Submitted by Karleen Jones)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local lacrosse association is looking for more children and teens to get in the swing of Canada’s national summer sport.

The Fort St. John Minor Lacrosse Association has announced free drop-in lacrosse sessions for youth on Tuesday and Thursday nights from now until the end of March.

Karleen Jones is one of the organizers of the youth drop-in nights. Jones is also the club’s fundraising director.

The game of lacrosse is a bit of a family affair, as both Jones’ son Wyatt and husband Sam participating as a player and coach, respectively.

“We started with the free drop-in [sessions],” said Jones. “We have become more involved in the league ever since.”

The drop-in sessions are available to players with no previous experience. Jones said Wyatt began with no prior knowledge of the game and will assist newcomers at the U-15 level during the sessions.

“Since he started playing lacrosse, we have noticed his general sports knowledge, his general skills in terms of crossover sports, has greatly improved,” said Jones. “…You can share that passion and excitement around something with people, regardless of age or experience.”

While the club has been quiet with regards to competing in recent years, this year they re-joined the Great White North zone sanctioned by the BC Lacrosse Association.

They will compete against other teams from Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George and Mackenzie. There are also plans to play in the Canada Day Tournament in Calgary in July.

Sessions will be held at the Kids Arena Fieldhouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays, broken up by age group:

U-7s to U-9s: Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
U-11s to U-13s: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
U-15s to U17s: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Participants are asked to bring indoor running shoes, along with a hockey helmet fitted with a cage and a pair of hockey gloves. Lacrosse sticks will be provided by the club.

For more details on the Fort St. John Minor Lacrosse Association, visit the club’s Facebook page and website.