They’re ready to rock.
After playing the entire 2012 season on the road because of the lack of a home floor, the Westlock Lacrosse Association is back in town and ready to put on a show for the home fans.
“We’re really excited that we’re hosting home games this year,” said association president Dan Basisty. “Last year we didn’t; because of the transition to the new building, we couldn’t commit to having home games in Westlock.”
The 2013 season begins on April 18, he said, but the details of the Rock’s schedule won’t be known until the leagues release their schedules on April 11.
However, he said he’s working towards getting the midget and junior teams scheduled to play regular Friday-evening home games.
With registration completed, Basisty said the association has about 110 players registered across all its seven age divisions, including the newly reconstituted Junior ‘B’ team.
“We’re really excited because we have healthy numbers right across the board,” he said.
It’s the first time the association has had a junior team since 2011, after not enough players registered last year. And because of the junior team and its 24 players, registration numbers are much higher than last year, said Basisty.
Another increase the association has seen is in its coaching and managing ranks, he added.
“I’m really happy that new people are taking an interest in coaching and managing,” Basisty said. “That’s always healthy for the development, continuation and growth of an association.”
Westlock’s lacrosse teams play in two different leagues — the junior team plays in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League, while the other six teams play in the Greater Edmonton Lacrosse Council (GELC).
The GELC has played host to the Westlock Lacrosse Association since its inception, a relationship that has served both associations well.
“It’s a really good league and they’re very accommodating and they’re very excited to have rural communities involved,” Basisty said.
The RMLL consists of teams in communities all over the province. The Rock play in the Tier II North Conference against teams in Edmonton, Cold Lake, Vermilion and Wainwright.
Although winning is always nice, Basisty said the ultimate goal for all of the Rock teams this year is to have fun.
“We’re looking for, quite simply, positive experiences,” he said. “We’re hoping for the kids all to come out of there with a fun experience and a positive experience after playing.”
