The covered box lacrosse court in Harewood is a game-changer for minor lacrosse, who may need to wait their turn in city arenas. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

NEW SEASON

Covered Harewood box lacrosse court crucial for new season to begin

Jan 9, 2021 | 7:05 AM

NANAIMO — After being shutout during 2020, Nanaimo Minor Lacrosse is hopeful a combination of health precautions and increased vaccine availability will help them get the ball rolling in 2021.

The association’s season was nixxed in March as the pandemic took hold, just weeks before the outdoor season was slated to begin.

Brande Terris, Nanaimo Minor Lacrosse president, said ten months into the pandemic registration has opened for a modified season organizers believe can be successful.

“Normally we have well over 400 players, in the 430 range for the last few years. We’re hoping this year we get to 400 or 450, we’re really hoping we can expand a little bit.”

Families seem eager to return to the sport with well over 150 registrations through the first few days of January.

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Current health orders restrict game action and inter-city play, meaning youth will be limits to skills and drills play.

Organizers hope games will eventually be allowed, with the goal of setting up regional play with teams in Cowichan and Oceanside.

Harewood’s covered box lacrosse court next to John Barsby Secondary School is eyed as a live preserver for the league with a potential conflict in city arenas between hockey and lacrosse.

The facility will be centre stage as youth between the age of five and 16 gear up as restrictions ease.

“Just getting kids out on the floor, a lot of them haven’t picked up a stick in well over a year because there was no season last year. Getting them out, running around, making sure gear fits good to get them ready for the season.”

Numbers typically swell for minor lacrosse in the younger age groups with registration dipping as children explore other sport options.

The tyke and mini-tyke divisions featuring children as young as five are especially popular.

“They play small games, across floor instead of the full floor. It’s just getting them out, running around, picking up the ball and trying to pass.”

More information on minor lacrosse, including registration, can be found on their website.

— with files from Dan Marshall

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley