An effort is being made to launch a new sport in Rankin Inlet that is a first cousin to the game of hockey, and it all gets underway with a three-day clinic this coming weekend.
Photo courtesy of David Clark
Recreation co-ordinator David Clark is behind the push to see if lacrosse will catch-on in Rankin, and he's hosting the clinic this coming weekend that will cater to kids in the initiation to midget age groups.
Clark said there appeared to be at least cursory interest in the sport, so he applied to the Sport and Recreation Division of Community and Government Services for a grant to purchase some sticks and balls to launch the sport.
He said lacrosse is very similar to hockey in a number of ways, so players can use much the same gear for lacrosse as they do for hockey.
SA国际影视传媒淲e want any kid with an interest to come out to the clinic this weekend, Sept. 25 to 27, but, I think, it's a big help having so many kids in the community who don't have to worry about gear at all,SA国际影视传媒� said Clark.
SA国际影视传媒淪o, with gear not being a big concern at this point, and with us getting turf for the new arena, it just kind of made sense for us to try out the sport right now.
SA国际影视传媒淲e had plans for doing the clinic earlier in the year, and, at that time, we had a guy committed to coming up and help run the camp, but Covid-19 and the travel restrictions in place because of it ruined that plan.
SA国际影视传媒淪o, I took it upon myself to learn about lacrosse on the internet and I spent a lot of time researching drills, practices and techniques while I was in quarantine in Winnipeg.SA国际影视传媒�
Clark is going to run the camp using local youth leaders to assist him in much the same way as he does with the annual Rankin Rock hockey clinic that kicks-off every new hockey season.
He said the based-in-Nunavut movie, The Grizzlies, has made lacrosse quite popular among youth right now and he hopes that popularity will lead to lots of kids signing up for the sport.
SA国际影视传媒淲e have a new rink, new turf and a sport that youth see as being pretty cool right now because of that movie, so the timing couldn't be better to give it a try.
SA国际影视传媒淚f we have a good turnout at the camp and there's enough interest in the sport, hopefully, we'll be able to offer some type of lacrosse program the following season. We're all going to be learning.
SA国际影视传媒淢y vision for this would be for it to evolve into something similar to the Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey Association or the Rankin Inlet Soccer Association SA国际影视传媒� maybe not as big but something along those lines.SA国际影视传媒�
Clark said lacrosse will take root in Rankin as long as its made fun to play.
He said kids having fun and word of mouth are two great allies to have when launching something new.
SA国际影视传媒淚f the sport is fun and accessible, and it's being held at a fun, safe place to come, then the kids will get excited and the program will succeed.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat being said, I will be giving everyone lots of notice that this sport is not for everyone. It's a real physical and mental grind to play lacrosse.
