Campbell River Lacrosse

A true North American game.  As early as the 1400’s First Nation Americans and Canadians called the game Bagataway or Tekwaarathon, with  hundreds of warriors taking to the field in two teams, sometimes playing all day, bloody scrimmages were often aimed to disable the defenders rather than outmanoeuvre them.  Serious casualties were expected. 

 

Considered a right of passage for young men, and spiritually linked to many aspects of First Nations culture, the game, sometimes displayed as bloody intertribal showdowns was often referred to as the “little brother of war”. 

 

Modern box lacrosse games are exciting and notoriously rough contests, but still a far cry from the “little war” games of the Iroquois.  A reflection of the structure of the society and spirituality as a whole, seen as a gift from the Almighty, it was often referred to as the “Creators Game” and therefore was used as an instrument to settle disputes, heal the sick and train young warriors in preparation for war.

 

Each tribe used their own unique form of lacrosse stick, made out of natural fibres and materials such as wood, deerskin and leather.  So vital was the lacrosse staff to the overall culture that it was thought to establish a spiritual connection to all players of the game on the earth.

 

The Jesuit missionaries were responsible for the development of the modern sport.  Jean de Brebeuf documented lacrosse games being played by the Huron Indiands in southeast Ontario as early as 1636 and was amazed to find that some form of the game was being played by no less than 48 First Nation’s tribes.  A standardization and development of one set of accepted rules and regulations would not take place until two hundred years later.  Later in the nineteenth century Canadians of European decent began playing the game and first organized teams of non-Natives.

 

In the modern game the sport of lacrosse is to most observers an amalgamation of basketball, soccer, and hockey.  The required skill set is more varied than in any other sport.  Lacrosse is also adaptable enough to be open to individual interpretation and style.  A larger stronger player will use forceful moves to get to the goal, while a smaller more agile player will use speed and trickery.  No matter your physical size, the capacity to “see the field” and retort quickly are great assets in lacrosse, in both men and women’s game.

 

There is a Lacrosse box at the Willow Point Sportsplex

 

Address:  1800 South Alder Street, Campbell River BC, Canada, V9W 7J1

 

Phone:  250 –923 - 7911

Fax:  250 – 923 - 7921

Email:

Website:  www.campbellriver.ca

 

 

There are organized lacrosse games at the:

Address:  225 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River BC, Canada, V9W 6B9

 

Phone:  250 – 287 – 9235

Toll Free:  1 – 877 – 830 - 2990

Fax: 1 – 250 - 830 - 6710

Email:  administration@strathconard.ca

Website:  www.strathconard.ca

 

The City of Campbell River

 

Address:  301 St Ann’s Road, Campbell River BC, Canada, V9W 4C7

 

Phone:  250 – 286 - 5700

Fax:  250 – 286 - 5760

Email:  ross.mlnthorp@campbellriver.ca

Website:  www.campbellriver.ca

 

Location:  From downtown head south on Dogwood Street and turn right on Merecroft Road, travel down Merecroft for two blocks and on the left hand side of the road you will see a parking lot with toilets, the Lacrosse field is directly behind the washrooms.