Scotia league club lacrosse season start July 11

Media release
 
June 24, 2021
 
Scotia league club lacrosse season start July 11
 
Community youth lacrosse is back, as the Scotia Minor Lacrosse League is set for its 2021 season.
 
The SMLL has adopted a number of changes – some related to the pandemic, but others designed to align the minor, club-level game with more senior divisions.
 
Box lacrosse would typically be wrapping up its season championships now: play normally runs April through June, but initial club practices were interrupted with May provincial measures to stop a third wave of COVID-19. Absolutely determined to get a 2021 season in – after losing the entire 2020 season, clubs turned to outdoor practices on tennis courts and fields as soon as provincial phases for small gatherings allowed. Clubs expect to return to indoor rink practices the first week of July. A condensed, six-game season will get underway July 11, followed by a league championship August 7 and 8.
 
The league’s Truro Bearcats, Pictou Snipers and Valley Thunder will field teams at 10U, 13U and 17U/ Intermediate age divisions. This is off Lacrosse Canada’s defined 2021 age divisions, but is a response to smaller athlete numbers as the sport moves out of its regular season. Cape Breton Lacrosse will join in SMLL action later in the summer as registration on the island continues. All teams will play with five on the floor: a goalie, and four-on-four.
 
In moves move clearly related to growing and enhancing the game experience within the league, games will move from three longer periods to four shorter periods: 17U/ Int will play four 15-minute quarters, while younger divisions will play four 12-minute quarters. Conveniently, the shorter periods and more frequent breaks will support athletes playing through a warmer summer season. Pictou and Truro will play their games on weeknights in their home rinks; Valley will host Pictou and Truro for double-headers at the Credit Union Centre in Kingston July 11 and 25.
 
Pictou will host the championship weekend August 7 and 8, the second SMLL finals following the league’s 2019 founding season. The weekend schedules games for all league members’ teams together, so athletes, coaches and families can support and celebrate lacrosse at every age and skill level. Winning age division teams will take home SMLL banners.
 
To follow the league, visit smll.ca. Member clubs may also be contacted through the league website.
 
 
For more information:
Brendan Smithson
Commissioner,
Scotia Minor Lacrosse League
brendonlivestrong@hotmail.com