Lacrosse is a growing sport in the city and the Ottawa Black Bears are giving the next generation of players a chance to learn from the best, hosting a “Learn Lacrosse” clinic at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday.
One of those is Malikai Mitchell-Gabrielli, who says at 11-years-old, he’s a season ticket holder with his dad. He says he wanted to play after seeing his first Black Bears game and has been inspired to try out for his school’s team this April.
When he got the chance to learn from the teammates themselves, he says he was excited.
“How to shoot, keep the ball,” he said. “I like to have my friends with me so I can teach them what I learned… I love the game.”
The team says they wanted to give kids of all ages a chance to try out.
This is the club’s first season since moving to Ottawa. The city last had a professional lacrosse team in 2003.
Ottawa native Will Johnston, who is the Black Bears practice roster goalie, says he never had an opportunity like this one to “have the game be introduced this way.”
“We’re playing on the floor that the Black Bears play at and it’s an amazing arena,” he said. “This is, actually, where hopefully some of these kids will be playing one day.”
Forward Jacob Dunbar added, “It was actually great to see the ones who couldn’t even pick up a lacrosse ball at the start and by the end of it, they’re slinging the ball off the glass and having a blast.”
Sofie Green, a volunteer lacrosse coach, says the sport is growing among girls in Ottawa. She explains that Nepean had the most girls registered in Ontario this year.
She feels events like this are important to expose kids to a game they may otherwise feel shut out from.
“You see them start to fall in love with the game,” she said. “And then you let them know that there are girls teams to play for.”
Bruno Taveres brought his six-year-old son Tiago to the clinic.
Taveres says his son loves hockey and baseball and after showing an interest in lacrosse, he thought he would be a great fit to try. He says afterwards, they plan to watch the Black Bears afternoon game against the Colorado Mammoth.
“It’s a great feeling because he comes out of his comfort zone,” he said.
“He’s learning something new, a new skill, and it just makes you feel good that you see a little one develop.”
