Just getting started
Warriors lacrosse teams open Scotia Minor Lacrosse League’s inaugural season today
SYDNEY - Like many Cape Breton kids, Nathan Martinello played hockey during the winter months, but by the time spring arrived he’d be looking to explore other options.
Anxious to find another sport to play during the offseason, Martinello decided to try lacrosse four or five years ago, a decision he doesn’t regret.
“My mother had told me there was a lacrosse camp going on at ‘the dome’ (Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex) and she told me it would be a good idea for a couple of my buddies and I to go try it out,” said Martinello.
“We went to the camp and we fell in love with the sport and we’ve been playing ever since.”
While playing the sport locally, Martinello was selected by the Truro-based Mi’kmaq Warriors of the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League at the 2017 entry draft.
He would play one season with the club but was forced to miss his second year because of a knee injury suffered during hockey season.
“It was my draft eligible year and some of my friends had been drafted by the Warriors and I was really happy to have been picked by the team,” said Martinello.
“With the travel, it was kind of hard, but it was a really good experience playing in the league because I was able to learn more about the sport and bring that knowledge back to Cape Breton.”
Today, Martinello suits up for the Cape Breton Warriors midget team in the newly formed Scotia Minor Lacrosse League, which will kick off its inaugural season Saturday in Cape Breton.
Along with the midget team, Cape Breton will also have representation in the peewee and bantam divisions of the new league as well.
Cape Breton Lacrosse Association president Terri-Lynn Stirrett is excited to see how the local teams do in the league.
“I’m looking forward to the structure of the games,” said Stirrett, who noted that, prior to the formation of the new league, it was difficult arranging games for the teams.
“I’m looking forward to the kids being able to go out and know that they’re playing for a reason and I know they’re excited to be able to play for a championship banner.”
The Cape Breton Lacrosse Association was formed five years ago, with the goal of gaining interest in the sport on the island.
The association currently has 49 members including 18 players in peewee, 13 in bantam and 12 in midget.
Stirrett admits it’s been difficult over the years attracting new players and officials in Cape Breton.
“Our biggest hurdle is hockey, because hockey is a year-round program in Cape Breton,” said Stirrett, a former hockey mother herself. “It’s hard to get anybody to look at anything other than hockey.”
The Scotia Minor Lacrosse League will have four teams this season including the Cape Breton Warriors, Pictou County Snipers, Truro Bearcats and Valley Thunder in divisions ranging from novice to midget.
The Warriors will open their season, which runs just over a month, today when the peewee, bantam and midget teams play the Truro Bearcats, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath.
The peewee team will take to the floor at 11 a.m., followed by the bantam club at 12 p.m. and the midget squad at 1:30 p.m. The teams will also play at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Cape Breton will also be in action on Sunday when they travel to Truro to play the Valley Thunder at the Colchester Arena.
There’s no admission charge to attend the games.
Martinello encourages local sports fans to attend today’s game and to give lacrosse a chance.
“Don’t knock it until you try it or watch it,” said Martinello. “It’s a great sport and it’s a great workout for players and it’s certainly a good way to meet new friends.”
As for the Cape Breton Lacrosse Association, anyone interested in playing the sport is asked to contact Stirrett by email at terrilynnstirrett@hotmail.com.