TRURO, N.S. – Four Nova Scotia minor lacrosse associations are founding members of the new Scotia Minor Lacrosse League, launching in time for the 2019 box lacrosse season.
The SMLL includes Valley Thunder Lacrosse, Truro Bearcats Lacrosse, the Pictou County Snipers and the Cape Breton Warriors. League play gets underway May 4, with clubs fielding teams in novice, peewee, bantam and combined midget/intermediate divisions.
“The SMLL’s focus is on growing the game of lacrosse across the province,” says league commissioner Brendon Smithson. “We ran a successful four-club season and championship program for the peewee division in the last two seasons; this year, we’ve expanded the schedule and really put a full league together.
SMLL teams will play an eight- to nine-game season, and host their first full championship weekend in Truro June 22-23.
Hosting clubs are also scheduling in a variety of development clinics for athletes, coaches and officials, taking advantage of events to offer skills training, mentorship and opportunities to build camaraderie at all levels within the game. The 6th Apple Cup, hosted by Valley Thunder in Berwick and Kingston June 7-9, will see league teams joined by clubs from across Nova Scotia and into New Brunswick for the largest minor box lacrosse tournament in the province.
Lacrosse Nova Scotia is expected to sanction the SMLL, and it will formally register with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks.
“On behalf of Lacrosse Nova Scotia, we are pleased to welcome a new minor lacrosse league into our province,” says Donna Goguen, Lacrosse Nova Scotia board president.
“Scotia Minor Lacrosse League is a welcome addition and will be part of the growing infrastructure needed to accommodate future growth of our sport. Lacrosse players, coaches and referees will benefit from having an organized league to provide a game schedule for teams across the province to play.”
