It is a blast every week as the young kids take to Mimico Arena with mascot Blue to enjoy some Box Lacrosse. Melissa Horan Photography.
By REJEAN CANTLON
Every Saturday morning at Mimico Arena nearly 200 boys and girls aged 3- 8 are being introduced to Canada’s official summer sport, “Box Lacrosse.”
The introductory free program is run by the Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club and is sponsored by Andy Suboch of Suboch Law.
The Learn to Play program is managed by lead coordinator, Shelby Simons, who along with friend, Colleen Grimes, started a very successful Mimico girls field lacrosse program in 2010.
“Mimico Lacrosse is committed to achieving gender equity in our sport. We do this by striving to offer the same opportunities and experiences for girls in all aspects of our programming,” said Simons.
The kids enjoy the sport and are encouraged to have a good time by coaches and staff. Photo by Mimico Minor Lacrosse.
“In 2018 we introduced our free co-ed entry level lacrosse program while recognizing that we need to reshape the delivery of sports for girls, we also offered girl-specific programs. Our goal is to promote the sport of lacrosse and introduce it to new players and families in our community year after year.”
Mimico lacrosse player and lead instructor on the floor, Charlie McKeon gets the kids pumped up as they arrive each morning with her enthusiasm and energy.
McKeon plans to attend Saint Joseph’s University near Philadelphia on a lacrosse scholarship next fall. He is helped by Mimico Jr. B player, Ronan Cantlon, who helps on the floor, running drills and other activities.
McKeon and Cantlon are assisted by a small army of volunteers of current junior Mimico players. Not to be outdone by the administrators and instructors on the floor is the kid’s absolute favourite 300 pound, 6’4” mascot… Blue!
Mimico Lacrosse mascot Blue is well-loved by all players.
Blue the Bear has been the official mascot of the Mimico Mountaineers since 2018 and is also the head freezie distributor!
The young players are divided into age groups consisting of 3- and 4-year-olds fondly called Baby Peanuts and 5- and 6-year-olds referred to as Peanuts, which is also the first age group in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Rep program.
The last group of the day is the Girls U9 Box, which is becoming very popular alongside the Girls Field Program. Among the helpers in this category are: five-time Mann Cup winner and local lacrosse legend Brian Shanahan, his son Devlin of the Nanaimo Timbermen and daughter Brenna of Team Canada Lacrosse.
The kids are taught the basics of the game such as passing, catching, and scooping up the ball through games and drills. The program runs for 8 a.m. to 1 pm on Saturdays from early May to June 22.
So come on down to the arena at 31 Drummond Street, try one of Mimico Mike’s famous peameal sandwiches and see a lot of smiling, sweaty faces.
Since 1890, Mimico Lacrosse has provided a fun, safe and inclusive lacrosse program that is open to players of all ages and skill levels. Mimico Lacrosse is the oldest and largest lacrosse club in the City of Toronto.