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Lacrosse has been growing in popularity across the country, including the Anthem‑based North Valley Lacrosse League, which is entering its third season of play.
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Lacrosse craze felt in Anthem
North Valley team in third season

ANTHEM – Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States, as youth memberships have more than tripled since 1999, from 40,000 to more than 125,000 participants.

Anthem has felt that growth with the North Valley Lacrosse League, which begins its third season in October.

What started out as a few kids and a couple of dedicated coaches, has turned into a thriving, albeit fledgling, group of kids and a large support group of parents.

Lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey. Fans of the sport say anyone can play and that size doesn’t matter as in many sports.

There have been extensive growing pains during the past three years, but now the North Valley Lacrosse League actually has two divisions, a middle school team, comprised of sixth through eighth‑graders, and a junior high team, comprised of high school freshmen and sophomores. Both teams practice in Anthem.

Coaches Kevin Driscoll and Ray Olson have worked to get the team recognized by the Arizona Youth Lacrosse League. The middle school team has competed in the league the past two years.

Coaches say the growth of the young players, both individually and from a team aspect, has been incredible. During the club’s first season in 2005, the team was overmatched from a skill level against some more experienced teams, but their enthusiasm and determination made them a worthy adversary in every game.

Last year’s team, in their second full season, showed tremendous improvement and was competitive in every game. The team finished with five wins, including an impressive showing at the state championships in Mesa.

The junior high team is not an official high school sport and therefore not part of the high schools’ budgets. There are only four high school’s in the Valley that have lacrosse as a school‑sponsored sport.

The other Arizona schools classify lacrosse as a club sport. The junior high team will compete against other high school teams that have lacrosse as a club sport.

Both teams are looking for more players, but the rosters are almost full. The coaches are also talking about starting a girls team if the demand is there.

Driscoll and Olson emphasize that all children will learn the game and have fun doing so. They also ensure all will play, and they do.

For more information about the North Valley Lacrosse League, contact Olson at (623) 824‑5232, or e‑mail him at rwolson@cox.net.

Upcoming practices, information and photos will be posted on the club’s Web site at BCHSlaxClub.com.

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