The Huntsville Field Hawk Tykes (U9’s) are in Brampton this weekend hoping to wrap up their Spring Field Lacrosse league season with a championship tournament win.
They are heavily favoured in the competition which has not formally been designated a provincial championship by the Ontario Lacrosse Association as it is considered a pilot project this year. However, it will be every bit a championship atmosphere when they take to the field.
Jocelyn Knox, hard working builder of the co-ed field lacrosse game, says it’s all about growing the sport at this level. “There are no open field hits and it’s about getting them out and getting them to come back and enjoy it.”
There are actually more players registered in Huntsville in the Spring Field Lacrosse league than in the Huntsville Box Lacrosse rep team program. Several of the players do play in both games, but the field game has attracted 86 athletes in the five divisions compared to 84 in the box program. There are 104 players in the House League Box lacrosse program.
The other divisions in the Spring Field Lacrosse League will play their provincial championship tournaments next weekend at the Sandlewood Credit View Fields in Brampton over three days with each team playing a round robin format that guarantees three games but could be as many as six.
There’s a seeding process that takes place with the Ontario Lacrosse Association establishing at which level teams will play in the championships tournaments.
The Huntsville Field Hawk Tykes, or U9’s, are expected to play for the B title.
During their regular season they won nine games, lost two and tied once.
The Midget, or U17, team is also expected to be given a B designation. The level is determined by the results of the regular season and consultation with team officials. The other Huntsville teams will likely be considered C level for their provincial championships.
Getting this far has not been without its challenges.
Knox says, “The Spring League has scheduling problems competing with hockey tryouts especially in the Toronto area and is constantly subject to schedule changes.” This is compounded for Huntsville because all of their league games are played away from home. “We are accepted in the Ontario league,” she explained, “but must play our games away from home.”
There is a four week schedule which we have just completed. We only play on weekends so it means the tykes play three games in one day on a Saturday while the other divisions play two games on Sundays. We have agreed to that because we are limited by one field and only get what’s available weather wise. We have no lights and the spring league starts right after the March break. Other fields are not available until after the May 24th weekend. Lights would be incredible and make a difference, or an indoor facility. We are hoping maybe something can be brought forward when they plan the new curling sports complex facility.
Jocelyn Knox
The challenges haven’t deterred the interest in the field game at all levels as the registration numbers show. The
icing on the cake will be success this weekend and next as the 2016 Spring league season is completed.
Photo courtesy of Keri Black, Hawks’ Lacrosse
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