The West Shore has become a hotbed for minor lacrosse over the years, with professional players joining the coaching ranks and teams in all age brackets racking up provincial medals.

So it should come as no surprise that Juan de Fuca Whaler players have been regularly earning spots on Team B.C., which sends teams annually to the Canadian Lacrosse AssociationB次元官网网址檚 national championship tournament.

This year the national pee wee, bantam and midget divisions will be contested in Coquitlam and New Westminster from Aug. 4 to 9.

Eight Juan de Fuca athletes will compete for B.C. in those categories, including Jacob Obee and Adam Bland in pee wee; Connor Wilson, Brandon McClintick, Ryan Atkinson and Nick Coleman in bantam and Jake Campbell and Jack Kendall in midget.

Some have had the experience before and others are suiting up for their province for the first time.

Bantam goalie Atkinson is one of the veterans, having made the 2012 pee wee box team and being picked this year for the under-14 squad in field lacrosse. He feels privileged to be a part of another Team B.C.

B次元官网网址淭he hard work, determination and dedication it takes to earn one of the few spots available to represent your province at a national level is extremely special, not only on the floor, but off the floor as well,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淲e will make lifelong friends and connections that we might not otherwise have the chance to make.B次元官网网址�

First-time provincial teamer Obee is excited about the opportunity to boost his skill level.

B次元官网网址淚t is very special and I have practised long and hard to get to this stage,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e enjoyed every part of it B次元官网网址� meeting the coaches and all the new kids.B次元官网网址�

Fellow Team B.C. rookie McClintick is making the most of his chance to shine, having been cut in the first round of tryout in his previous attempt.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned a lot from the coaches during the Team B.C. practices,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚t is definitely a really high level of play. IB次元官网网址檓 really enjoying this experience so far, as itB次元官网网址檚 making me push myself to my full potential. ItB次元官网网址檚 a challenge which helps me play harder.B次元官网网址�

Bland, another first-time Team B.C. player, and Wilson, who made the cut in field lacrosse last year, agree that being exposed to different coaches and a high level of players is going to help them down the road with their skills. Wilson says heB次元官网网址檚 already learning new things and improving his play.

Coleman, another U14 team member in field lacrosse this season, likes the fact his hard work has been rewarded with a berth on the team. He looks forward to rubbing shoulders with the best in the country for his age group and hopes to beef up his offensive skills in the process.

Campbell, a second-time Team B.C.er, says itB次元官网网址檚 been a great experience overall.

B次元官网网址淢y coach, Curt Malawsky, who also coaches the Calgary Roughnecks, is very intense yet experienced,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to have the opportunity to play on a team with such a high level of coaching. I feel the level of coaching and the caliber of play will motivate me to be the best player I can be.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com