Opening Weekend And A Good Way To Pass The Time

By Chris Clarke

From the moment I walked in the building and caught the first whiff of hotdogs and popcorn I knew I was somewhere special.

The venue could have been anywhere in Canada, it just happened to be Sun God Arena in Delta. The occasion that brought me and everyone else to this particular shrine was the opening weekend exhibition jamboree for British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League.

As I walked in the arena and approached the woman at the temporary table set up to collect entrance money she reminded me of my mother thirty-some-odd years ago. She was continuing the time honoured tradition of volunteering at kids sporting events that has been going on for generations and continues today.

The transport back to my youth was completed upon seeing youngsters running around the arena concourse more thrilled with chasing each other than the events unfolding on the concrete floor below, totally unaware they might someday be playing junior lacrosse on this very floor.

I won’t lie and tell you the place was packed, after all it was only exhibition and many of the best players for these teams weren’t dressed. The Sunday night games also happened to conflict with that certain team in Vancouver that sports a funny looking hockey stick on its jerseys.

Although they might not have been playing to a full house there was no lack of passion on the floor. You could hear it and feel it with every hit as young men played their hearts out trying to show coaches, owners and parents why they deserved to wear the colours of their respective teams.

I approached a woman in the stands who was peacefully reading a book sitting with her daughter and dog. Assuming she was a mom there to see her son play I asked about which team she was cheering on. It turned out she was a coach’s wife supporting him and his love of the game.

We sat and had a laugh about cold barns and the unique fan behaviour in each arena. We discussed lacrosse and the families that support it. Listening to her talk about how much her husband enjoys giving back to the game and how she had become a fan, it was obvious they were just such a family.

The games all weekend were of young men showcasing their skills and desire, trying to prove their worth to one of the six teams participating in the opening event. But even more, it was two days of families and friends coming together after a long off-season to show their support to a sport they love.

The official regular season opener is April 28 but this past weekend sure was a great way to kick things off.