ST. PAUL – Lacrosse has long been a staple of Canadian sports. In fact, alongside ice hockey, lacrosse is the other national sports in Canada.
In St. Paul, the sport is starting to gain its footing, with a free camp offered at the Cap Arena on Aug. 17, marking the beginning of what some hope will enhance the region’s athletic culture.
The lacrosse camp featured players from Lakeland Heat and Team Alberta. Amanda Mudryk helped organize the camp to showcase the sport in St. Paul, and “To let the kids come out, give it a try, and see if they like it.”
“The intention is to start a league here in St. Paul for spring of 2025,” she says.
Being a primary force in the effort to bring the sport to St. Paul, Lakeland This Week asked why Mudryk decided to start the process of bringing lacrosse to town.
“I’m literally just a mom whose kids wanted to play lacrosse,” Mudryk says.
So, she reached out to the Alberta Lacrosse Association, who was more than happy to possibly have St. Paul join the organization.
“They basically said they just had been waiting for a parent to reach out. So, here we are,” Mudryk says, happily.
Michael Groves is the president of the Wheatland Lacrosse Association. He also sits on the board with the Alberta Lacrosse Association. He thanked Mudryk for setting up the camp.
“Honestly, this wouldn’t have happened without [Mudryk]... I’m just the person to come and help... she deserves all the credit for getting this going,” he says, adding, the effort was well worth it, and there was a strong turnout of youth who showed up.
“This is incredible,” he says.
Grove says lacrosse is a great crossover sport to hockey. If hockey players play ice hockey in the winter, they could play lacrosse in the summer. “Connor McDavid played it. Wayne Gretzky played it. And with it being Canada’s national summer sport, it’s not promoted the way it should be,” he says.
Like Mudryk, Grove says he also wants the sport to grow in St. Paul.
“I want St. Paul to be a part of the league. I want all communities to be a part of the league. That’s why I’m here from Cold Lake.”
While there are challenges with gaining interest in the sport, Mudryk says the effort to bring lacrosse to the community has been good so far and she is hopeful for the future.
She thanked the parents, the kids, Alberta and the Wheatland lacrosse associations, as well as the Lakeland Heat for their support.
