The newly formed Innisfil Wolfpack Junior C lacrosse team held its inaugural tryouts last week, with 30 players from across Simcoe County laying it out for a chance to play Canada’s national summer sport.
“It looks really good,” said coach Dave Barrie, adding the coaching staff was pleasantly surprised by the turn out of quality athletes.
At this stage, it’s hard to tell what the team’s strengths and weaknesses will be but General Manager Owen Missen is confident the team will be able to compete with the other new teams in the league that include Caledon, Centre-Welling, Shelburne, and West Durham.
“Our goal is to compete,” said Barrie, who is coaching at the Junior level for the first time and is looking forward to the season.
For Barrie, lacrosse has been a family affair for generations. His grandfather, father, and uncle are all members of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame for contributions to the game, but Barrie says it’s too early for him to be a member.
“I’m too young.”
Box lacrosse is a quick, fast-paced game with plenty of action, played in an arena. Because of the speed of the game and with no ice to glide on, fitness is key.
“You’ve got to be in shape to try this sport,” said Missen. “If you’re not in shape, you’re in trouble.”
Barrie held two conditioning pre-camps prior to the try-outs to help the Innisfil players get their legs. Personally, Barrie enjoys playing lacrosse because it keeps him in the better shape than other sports do. He’s Commissioner and plays in the Over 20 Ontario Field Lacrosse League.
Missen sees the arrival of Junior C in Innisfil as a great development.
“We encourage players to try-out to the highest possible level,” he said. “This will help local players play Junior lacrosse and then move beyond (Junior) C.”
Innisfil had to wait for the Junior A Rama Kings and the Junior B Barrie Tornado tryouts to finish before holding a tryout, but for Missen the presence of the three teams in the County is great for the region.
“Simcoe County is becoming a nice spot for lacrosse. It’s a hot bed in its infancy.”
The Junior C team plays its first game on Tuesday, May 13 at Stroud arena.
Today's Weather 
A few clouds and 27°C
A few clouds and 27°C
