BC SUMMER GAMES
Box Lacrosse
Youth lacrosse players start participating as early as four years old and will play at the Pee Wee, Bantam, and Midget levels before attending the BC Summer Games. The athletes at the BC Summer Games are the best 15-16 year-olds in the province. Athletes who attend the BC Summer Games tend to continue the long-term athlete development process and compete at a high level provincially, collegiately, professionally, and internationally.
Notable BC Games alumni in the sport of lacrosse include National Lacrosse League players Rys Duch (Victoria), Curtis Dickson (Port Coquitlam), and Kevin Crowley (New Westminster).
The BC Lacrosse Association (BCLA) manages youth clubs in lacrosse associations with male and female participants up to 16 years of age. Senior level lacrosse leagues include Intermediate (17 and 18 years), Junior (19 to 21 years), Senior (22 years and up), and Masters (35 years and up). More than 16,000 registered athletes participate in lacrosse throughout BC, ranging from ages 4 – 50+ years. See www.bclacrosse.com for more informaiton.
Lacrosse is a sport rich in Canadian history and tradition. The initial forms of lacrosse were documented as early as the 1700s and are best detailed in the history of our First Nations people. Lacrosse is “Canada’s National Summer Sport” and recognized as the “Fastest Game on two Feet.” There are two forms of Lacrosse – Box and Field.
In Canada, Box Lacrosse is the discipline recognized by most people. It is played mainly during the summer months in hockey arenas, on a cement or turf surface. The game is very similar to ice hockey and is played with a goaltender and five players aside on the floor at one time. Body contact is permitted on the ball carrier, with limited contact off the ball carrier. Play can continue freely in all zones of the floor; there are no off-side rules. A full roster consists of 20 players.
The object of lacrosse is to outscore your opponent. A goal is worth one point. Each team must maneuver the ball and shoot the ball on goal within a 30-second shot clock. Penalties of 2, 5, and 10 minutes are called for rule infractions.
