Editor’s Note: Andy Downing of Northern Box Lacrosse, in (ya know) The North, England is here to tell us about the major strides of the box lacrosse community in his neck of the woods. Let’s find out where Andy and the gang are at…
Like most of us that didn’t grow up in Canada, when you fall in love with box lacrosse, you have to travel to play it. When you get tired of endless travel, you get moving on bringing the game to your own backyard. Thus, here in Northern England, the Northern Box Lacrosse League was born.
It’s been a long time coming for most of those involved and with great strides, we’re excited to announce our recent advancement, the 2018 Summer Draft.
2018 Summer Draft
Northern Box Lacrosse (Stockport, England) are recruiting Junior and Senior players for the first-ever English box lacrosse draft. Players names will be drawn from a hat to compete for one of two local teams, The Heaton Hornets or Team UKLacrosse.
The “draft” games will be played on Thursday night’s in June and July at the newly refurbished pitch in Disley, Stockport. Anyone even slightly interest in playing is encouraged to attend as player entry is only £10 per game or £40 for all 4 games, including a free NBL t-shirt.
New Playing Surface
The league is one step closer to having our own boxes. We are currently refurbishing tennis courts to make all this happen as the UK suffers from lack of box venues, so this will be the first box specific venue in England. The long and short of what NBL is trying to achieve is to get kids playing box lacrosse. As a minority sport, we have to make lacrosse more appealing to kids, and we feel box lacrosse is the way forward. Smaller numbers, the ball is always in play….etc, etc.
As I mentioned, we are currently in the process of turning old tennis courts into a box pitch. The lengthy process includes curving the corners, making a bench area, adding additional safety netting, plus installing a score board. The new venue is based in Stockport, South Manchester, England at the Disley Amalgamated Sports Club. The club itself had great lacrosse heritage on the field side of the game, but in recent years had to folded as a section……..enter box lacrosse!
Tasko Cup Update
For all box lacrosse players and fans, we will also be hosting the 4th annual Tasko Cup at the end of August. This adult club tournament is going to be bigger and better than eve, so if you would like to enter a team please contact us at northernboxlacrosse@gmail.com.