By: Laura Barker – 20.02.24
The Calgary Roughnecks have today launched the Roughnecks Lacrosse Literacy program in partnership with the Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA).
Lacrosse Literacy is the ALA’s province-wide school lacrosse program. Aimed at increasing the participation in and the awareness of lacrosse across the province, the program offers:
- Certified instructors who have experience coaching children and youth.
- Educational aspects centered around the Indigenous roots of lacrosse, “The Medicine Game”, geography, and history.
- Physical literacy covering A, B, and C’s (agility, balance, and coordination).
- Fundamental movement skills corresponding to the different stages of the Long-Term Athlete Development plan in a variety of environments.
- Discovery of movements for dodging, shooting, passing, catching, and ground ball mechanics.
- Development of enhanced hand-eye coordination.
- Team-oriented situations that encourage cooperation by interacting positively with others, fair play, and leadership.
The ALA provides programming for students from kindergarten to Grade 12 and supplies all equipment, including lacrosse sticks and balls. The Calgary Roughnecks are pleased to also contribute resources to the program, including complimentary Roughnecks tickets to all participants and $30,000 in funding from the Roughnecks Foundation to support the program and ensure access to schools all over Alberta.
“This partnership with ALA gives us an opportunity to continue our impact in and around Calgary, but also allows us to grow provincially as well” said Dustin Edwards, Calgary Roughnecks Business Operations Manager. “We are unique in the fact that we are Alberta’s professional lacrosse team, and the work ALA does around the province will allow for growth of the sport at the grassroots level and introduce the Roughnecks brand to new fans. Growing the sport and getting sticks into kids’ hands is truly what this new partnership is about, and we feel this is a great program to achieve that.”
“We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership that promises to redefine the landscape of lacrosse literacy” said Jessica Frederickson, ALA. “The Alberta Lacrosse Association is honored to be awarded the partnership with the Calgary Roughnecks to bring forth the program Roughnecks Lacrosse Literacy. We look forward to working with the Roughnecks and are honored that they are supporting bringing more students the opportunity to play this great sport.”
