Lacrosse players in Medicine Hat took to the field at the Big Marble Go Centre on Tuesday for a player development clinic. (Bob Schneider/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Lacrosse player development clinic takes the field at the Big Marble Go Centre with Jr. A coach and general manager

Feb 20, 2024 | 5:35 PM

Many kids who have a hockey stick in the winter switch to a lacrosse stick in the spring.

Here in Medicine Hat the local lacrosse club is looking to continue growing the sport.

According to vice president Dustin Ressler there is lots of interest locally and he feels it’s a great sport for kids to play.

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“We’re growing quite a bit as a club,” Ressler said.

“We went from about 90 kids here before last to almost 150 last year, and we’re hoping to grow again this year,” he said.

“Hopefully in the future, we can offer some more with this kind of coaching so that we can get more kids in.”

A player development clinic is underway at the Big Marble Go Centre and there is excitement for a number of the players participating.

The clinic is run by Cody Hawkins, the general manager and head coach of the Calgary Jr. A Mountaineers.

Hawkins said this is his first time in Medicine Hat and he is excited to help the kids with their development.

“It’s nice to get out into the small towns and give back,” Hawkins said.

“I’m really happy for this opportunity. We’ve had great success drafting the small town kids. This is just another thing me coming out here showing that I’m committed to them getting on the highway, just like they do for us,” he added.

“It’s easy for me to ask more of them when when I’m doing it myself. So I just want to make sure I’m putting in the same commitment that these kids are.”

Hawkins adds that he understands the importance of development for the kids with these clinics and hopes each kid can take a few small things from it to help improve their game.

“For the young kids I’m trying to make it fun for them and make them fall in love with the game and make sure that they want to come back tomorrow and have fun,” Hawkins said.

“With the older kids, it’s give them a little bit more I.Q., you know, and hopefully something that they can bring back to their practices with their coaches.”