Saskatchewan ‘A’ Field Lacrosse League Enjoys Successful First Season | The Canadian News

As the popularity of lacrosse grows across the province, so does the need for leagues that facilitate the high level of young players emerging in Saskatchewan.

Starting this summer, the Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association has done just that with the creation of a new field lacrosse league.

The Saskatchewan ‘A’ Field Lacrosse League concluded its inaugural season last weekend in Saskatoon with many spectators and athletes in attendance for the final.

The league was created to provide Saskatchewan’s best outfield players with a higher caliber league in which to learn, grow and play.

“It’s been a work in progress, but it really is the players,” said Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association Executive Director Bridget Pottle. “The players have been pushing to give them more, and we as organizers, administrators, parents, coaches, everyone, we have to listen to what the players need.”

The league consists of two age groups, U15 and U18, with three teams in each age group based in the three largest cities in the province: Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.

But the players come from all over Saskatchewan.

“We’ve seen guys being pulled from everywhere,” said U15 Saskatoon general head coach Jordan Brakstad. “On our team, we have children from Sturgis, I think Regina has children from the south to Estevan and Weyburn. So it’s great to see that everyone is coming together and wanting to play at a competitive level. “

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Regina Royals U15 forward Ryan McDonald. “Get out there, play at high levels, travel and play more lacrosse than ever.”

With players from all corners of the province, the league is structured around tournaments, where all teams travel to a host city to play a weekend of head-to-head competition.

“We borrowed the idea from the PLL, the Premier Lacrosse League that plays in the southern United States, where everyone comes together to play,” Pottle explained. “So instead of Regina traveling to PA just to play a game, they’ll come up and play both PA and Saskatoon, all teams.”

It really provides an amazing environment where all the kids get together, hang out, cheer on each other, and ultimately play against each other. “

As the league continues to flourish and build their mental confidence, there is hope that it will become a true stepping stone for local players looking to continue their careers in a collegiate way.

“This is definitely a good stepping stone for more kids to be seen and getting them to go to the states if they want to play lacrosse in college,” Brakstad said.

“This will also provide great opportunities in the future once we have no COVID restrictions so that we can have scouts to see these players,” Pottle added. “All of these games have been filmed, so all these kids have a movie to send to colleges and coaches to potentially get recruited and have an educational opportunity.”

After the league’s expansive success in just its first season, talks toward expansion have already begun, which could be on the horizon as soon as next season.

“I can’t wait until next year, we have some interest from the team states coming up, we have Manitoba that wants to join the league,” Pottle said. “So it’s really a great opportunity for them.”

“The league is going to grow even more, the sport is going to grow, there is going to be even more competitiveness next year,” McDonald said. “I can not wait”.