With the regular season winding down and first place theirs for the taking, the Victoria Shamrocks still make time for their fans.
More than 100 young lacrosse players between the ages of 6 and 14 descended upon the 100.3 The Q Centre, where Shamrocks senior players and coaches led the inaugural Shamrocks Open 2014 Minor Lacrosse Camp.
“I think it’s important for the Shamrocks to give back to the community. Historically, they’ve had such a big presence,” said Shamrocks attacker Rhys Duch.
“I just think it’s important to reach out and support them, like they support us on game day.”
Duch, one of the top scorers in the Western Lacrosse Association, teammates Corey Small, Dhane Smith, Jon Harnett, Karsen Leung, Cody Hagedorn and head coach Bob Heyes, among others, drilled potential future Shamrocks for four days last week.
“I think the instruction we can give them is second to none and it’s just going to help them grow and help grow the sport,” Duch said. “I still remember a lot of the lacrosse camps from when I was growing up … They are memories that the kids build.”
Campers learned everything from basic stick technique, transitions, running and shooting to using teamwork, during a full scrimmage. The camp is about developing both skills and Shamrock players’ relationships with the fans, Duch said.
“It’s enjoyable. The kids are fun and they bring a lot of energy to us. I think we get just as much out of it as they get from us,” he said.
“It gives you a bit of a young feeling. Yeah, we are tired at the end of the day, but the energy they give you and just seeing the love for the sport in their eyes is awesome.”
The Shamrocks were inspired to post their 11th win, 8-6 in Burnaby over the Lakers on Friday. The can clinch the regular season title Wednesday (July 16) with a road win over the Langley Thunder.
The ’Rocks round out the schedule with three games at home, beginning with a 7:45 p.m. outing against the New Westminster Salmonbellies this Friday at The Q Centre.
alim@vicnews.com
Seeing Green
With just four games remaining in the regular season heading into Wednesday’s (July 16) game in Langley, the Victoria Shamrocks senior team gearing up for a playoff run.
You can cheer them on to a Western Lacrosse Association title at 100.3 The Q Centre. Find tickets to their last three home games at victoriashamrocks.com or get them at the door.