‘Our numbers are up by 40 per cent’
Cape Breton Warriors teams focused on growing the game, being competitive
NORTH SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Warriors program will have five teams competing in the Scotia Minor Lacrosse League this season.
The program, which will play its home games at Emera Centre Northside in North Sydney, will have single clubs in the under-11, under-13 and under-17 divisions.
Meanwhile, for the first time, the Warriors will have two teams in the under-15 division, both competing in the same league.
“I have no doubt all the teams will pull together and have a competitive season,” said association president Brandy Lagace.
“We have new coaches, new volunteers and new players who are all learning the game as they go and need some time to get their feet under them. I’m not concerned. Winning is not the focus, growing the game and having fun is what it’s all about.”
Since the start of COVID19, the program has gone from having two divisions to
having teams at all levels.
“Our numbers are up by 40 per cent this year,” said Lagace. “We are getting so much interest and support from the community and it’s helping us grow each year. We are trying hard to focus on the youngest players and make their experience with lacrosse a positive one.
“It helps us immensely to have our more senior players be so involved with the young groups, by getting
their coaching certification and being willing to help out whenever our main coaches need them.”
The under-11 team opened the season with a win and a loss last weekend. The club beat the Pictou County Snipers 4-2 in North Sydney and also lost to the mainland club 8-2.
Meanwhile, in the under13 division, the Warriors lost 9-0 and 9-1 to Pictou County. The under-15 team, Warriors Blue, lost 6-1 and 8-4 to Pictou County to begin the season.
As for the under-17 team, they picked up a pair of wins last weekend, defeating Pictou County 3-2 and 8-1.
Along with playing in the minor league, the Warriors will also have a team in the East Coast Junior Lacrosse League’s inaugural junior ‘B’ league this season.
Lagace believes junior ‘B’ will only add to the interest and grow the association moving into the 2025 season next spring.
“In any sport, young players look up to senior players and aspire to get where they are,” said Lagace.
“Having a junior ‘B’ team will be a great way to show players that they can play lacrosse long term, not just when they are in minor. Prior to this season, the closest team for anyone over 17 years old to potentially play for was in Truro.”
The four-team East Coast Junior ‘B’ Lacrosse League will begin on Friday night with the Metro Gryphons playing the Pictou County Generals at 7:30 p.m. at the East Hants Sportsplex.
Cape Breton will play its first game of the season on Sunday at 4 p.m. against the Generals at the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena in Thorburn.
The Warriors' home opener is scheduled for May 25 at 3 p.m. against Metro at Emera Centre Northside.
As for the Scotia Minor Lacrosse League, the under-11 and under-15 teams will be home this weekend for games in North Sydney.
Under-11 will play the Truro Bearcats at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, while later in the day, both Warriors under-15 teams will square off at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. There’s no entrance fee for the general public.