Introducing thousands of kids to lacrosse
Laker Turner Evans now enjoying business of lacrosse too; registration underway for summer lacrosse camps for kids
Turner Evans is marrying his business degree with his love of lacrosse.
The Toronto Rock and Peterborough Century 21 Lakers standout has taken over Brad Self ’s ownership stake in Nationwide Lacrosse.
Self is now living and working full-time in Denver with the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth.
Evans, who completed his business degree at Trent University in December, is partnered with his cousin Shawn Evans to operate a business that aims to grow the game of lacrosse across Ontario and beyond.
Turner Evans, who also has a communications degree from his days starring for the Ohio State Buckeyes, said the timing was right, with Self’s move, to join the business. Self helped found Nationwide Lacrosse with Shawn Evans.
“It made sense to work alongside Shawn and try to make some things happen with Nationwide Lacrosse,” Turner said.
“We’ve been fairly busy doing school workshops starting in February and March. Since May and June, we’ve been packed full of two to three workshops a day. It made sense for me to stay in the lacrosse community.”
This spring the cousins have travalled from Ottawa to Niagara Falls introducing lacrosse in elementary schools.
“We estimate we’ve taught about 20,000 students this year,” he said. “We’re trying to grow the game and make people aware of Canada’s national summer sport.”
Once again, Nationwide will operate summer camps at the Memorial Centre throughout July. They’ll be joined by Lakers teammates and guest instructors Jake Withers and Jordan Stouros as well as several junior Lakers players.
The camps, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, focus on skill development, fun games and other sports activities with daily prizes from Nationwide Lacrosse and StringKing.
The opening week, shortened by Canada Day, is July 3 to 6 for beginners to rep boys and girls for $175 plus tax. Week two is July 9 to 13 for beginners to rep at $200 plus tax. Week 3 is for advanced box lacrosse players July 16-20 at $225 plus tax. Week four is for beginners to rep from July 23-27 for $200 plus tax.
“It’s an affordable camp,” Evans said. “The kids can get a lot of lacrosse instruction, build on their skills, teamwork and sportsmanship.”
A combined lacrosse and hockey camp is available July 30 to Aug. 3 with three hours of lacrosse instruction and 1 1/2 hours of hockey daily for $375 plus tax.
For more information or to register for any camp visit www.nationwidelacrosse.ca.
Turner Evans hasn’t played lacrosse since Game 6 of the 2017 Mann Cup last fall. He required knee surgery following the season but he’s getting close to a return with the Lakers after missing the Rock’s entre season.
“I’m hoping to be back in the next two weeks,” he said.
“I’ve been doing some rehab really trying to get some strength back in my knee. Things are feeling pretty good. It’s been a long eight months so I’m looking forward to getting back in sooner than later. Hopefully, my knee feels good and we can go from there and have another successful season.”