Calgary, AB – The Calgary Roughnecks are proud to announce the return of the Jr NLL Roughnecks program for 2022!

Three youth teams will be selected to participate in the 8th Annual Jr NLL Tournament held at the Toronto Rock Athletic Centre (TRAC) in Oakville, Ontario, from August 26th – 28th, 2022.

Registration for the tryout will open to the public soon and includes a minimum of four (4) on-floor sessions, a Jr Roughnecks pinnie, a Jr Roughnecks dry-fit shirt, and two game vouchers for the Calgary Roughnecks 2022 – 2023 Home Opener. All players must pre-register online and pay a non-refundable fee of $120.

Open tryout sessions for Peewee, Bantam, and Midget teams will be held throughout the month of June in Calgary – locations to be announced.

The three divisions participating in the NLL-sponsored tournament are:

• U12 (players born in 2010 or 2011)
• U14 (players born in 2008 or 2009)
• U16 (players born in 2006 or 2007)

John Kilbride – U16 Head Coach

John has spent the last 30 years (and counting) playing and coaching lacrosse at virtually every elite level including Jr A, Sr A, National Field Level, and NLL. He has proven to be both an excellent talent in the game of lacrosse, but also a superb student of the game. Apart from a long and successful playing and coaching career, John is also a “founder” in the game, having founded the Jr A Mountaineers in 05’ – 06’ with Bill Sucha. John was also the 2017 recipient of the James McFall Award, which is the Alberta Lacrosse Associations (ALA) highest honour. John will function as head coach for the Midget Roughnecks. This will be John’s 4^th year coaching the Midget Roughnecks with a record of one 1^st and two 2^nd place finishes.

Jason Crook – U14 Head Coach

As co-head coach of the Jr B Shamrocks for the last 6 years, Jason accomplished one of the most amazing feats in Alberta in 2019 by claiming the Jr B National Championship title, the Founders Cup. Jason has over 10 years coaching experience (and counting) to compliment his 20 years of playing experience (and counting). Jason is considered one of the top young lacrosse minds in Alberta lacrosse and is currently the GM of the Jr B Shamrocks, and the Captain of the Sr B Mountaineers (one of the RMLL’s most successful Sr B teams). Jason served as Offensive Coordinator of the Midget Roughnecks from 2017 – 2019, and in 2020 will function as co-coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Bantam Roughnecks.

Andrew Williams –U12 Head Coach

Andrew has been involved as a player, coach, and served as a board member over the last 30 years. He started his minor lacrosse with the Axemen Lacrosse Association where he is still coaching to this day, winning multiple city and provincial championships. Andrew also coached with the Team Alberta program in 2010, winning a Silver medal and the first provincial team to defeat Ontario. His passion for lacrosse extended into Jr where he has served in various roles, including offensive coach for the Jr A Mounties. Andrew has been with the Jr Roughnecks program since its inception in 2017 and will serve again as co-coach of the Peewee Roughnecks.

Open Tryout Camps: June 1 to June 28, 2022

Registration Link – Please note that registration closes May 24, 2022: https://www.sportzsoft.com/regApp/Login?OrgId=5263

Tryout Registration / Tryout Fee: $120 – includes a Jr Roughnecks pinnie, a Jr Roughnecks dry-fit shirt, and two game vouchers for the 2022– 23 Calgary Roughnecks home opener.

• Players must register as either a runner or goalie, not both.
• If a player is unable to make a tryout date due to their Minor club lacrosse obligations, they will be evaluated based on the tryouts they were able to attend.
• If selected, players and parents are required to sign and adhere to the CDLA Code of Conduct.
• Players are to follow the criteria and rules as set up by the Canadian Lacrosse Association.
• The Jr NLL Tournament is not an Alberta Lacrosse Association sanctioned event and therefore the program carries its own insurance.

In co-operation with the Alberta Lacrosse Association, midget players can play for either the Jr Roughnecks or Midget Team Alberta, but not both. This ensures that the maximum number of players are exposed to the highest caliber of tournament play.

TOURNAMENT / TRAVEL DATES: AUGUST 25th – 28th, 2022

The tournament takes place August 26th – 28th, 2020 at the Toronto Rock Athletic Center (TRAC) in Oakville Ontario. Athletes are responsible for arriving at the team-designated hotel for a 7:00pm team meeting on Thursday August 25th, 2022. Players will be lodged 2-per-room and will be chaperoned by team volunteers and coaching staff throughout the weekend.

TOURNAMENT COST

The cost of the event, including on-floor practices, hotels, transportation to and from games, and food will be $2,200 per player.

Players will have the opportunity to sell a jersey sponsorship bar for $500, with those funds going directly towards the player’s tournament expenses.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

• $1,200 is required by July 1, 2022.
• $500 jersey bar fee / sponsorship is required by July 15, 2022.
• $500 final payment is required by August 1, 2022.

For additional information on the Jr Roughnecks program please contact Jr Roughnecks coordinator Steve Harlow at stevejroughnecks@gmail.com.

COVID

In the event we are not able to participate due to Covid. All possible funds will be refunded. There is a significant financial outlay at the beginning for apparel, flights, insurance, and floor costs. We will make this experience as memorable as possible. Kids will receive all apparel and we will continue training if we are able to under provincial and federal regulations. Any remaining funds will be equally divided and returned. We are not responsible if the event is cancelled.