The gymnasium at Ruth King elementary in Langford was buzzing with excitement Monday afternoon. Grade 3, 4 and 5 students filed in and pointed with excitement to the Mann Cup on display for them to see.

Accompanying the Cup was Victoria Shamrocks player Tyler Burton. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of the most expensive trophies in all of Canada and itB次元官网网址檚 one of the oldest trophies in all of Canada,B次元官网网址� he told the students. They sat up a little higher to see the gold sparkle on the cup and gasped with excitement when he told them the real cup is made of solid gold and is worth more $60,000.

But he wasnB次元官网网址檛 at the school to just show off the trophy and his championship ring. Over the next few weeks Burton, as well as other team members and volunteers, will visit schools across Greater Victoria to speak about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as part of the ShamrocksB次元官网网址� and SubwayB次元官网网址檚 Commit to Fit program.

After explaining some of the origins of lacrosse and how it was originally played as a way to heal bodies and souls, Burton stressed the importance of being active.

B次元官网网址淭his doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean you have to go to the gym every day,B次元官网网址� he told the youngsters. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 so many things you can do outside.B次元官网网址�

While he admitted he has suffered a number of injuries playing the game he loves, he said he always feels his best when heB次元官网网址檚 active. B次元官网网址淥nce you feel good and are healthy, you feel good in your mind.B次元官网网址� He noted this can help the students in the classroom as well.

After the presentation Burton said he likes coming to schools and speaking with children because he knows how important it is.

B次元官网网址淚 always had people that reached out in the community when I was younger,B次元官网网址� he said, adding heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渏ust trying to do a little good B次元官网网址� and kids love to see the Mann Cup.B次元官网网址�

Nowadays, he said, with kids so immersed in video games and other electronics, they arenB次元官网网址檛 always getting the exercise they need. B次元官网网址淚 know it sounds clich茅, but kids are the future.B次元官网网址� He said children need to be outside and running around B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big part of growing up.B次元官网网址�  He added with a smile that he was also hoping to persuade a few to play lacrosse.

Jason Sperling, the ShamrocksB次元官网网址� operations manager, said the community is a big part of the teamB次元官网网址檚 success and they try to give back to that community as much as possible.

He noted the team will visit five other schools as part of this campaign. While itB次元官网网址檚 not as many as they would have liked, Sperling said, they just couldnB次元官网网址檛 fit more into the schedule with the new season coming up quickly.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 good to give back to the kids.B次元官网网址�

katie@goldstreamgazette.com