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Renegades recruiting younger players to bolster the ranks

May 3, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

As lacrosse continues to grow as a sport in New Tecumseth the TNT Renegades are teaching younger players the skills of the game at the introductory level.

Kids learn the rules of the game and develop ball handling, passing, and shooting skills.

At the Paperweight level, they play games on half the arena floor which is more suitable for their size and give them a chance to learn how to play as a team.

At this level, the kids are organized into teams and go through practice before playing games themselves. Later in the season they will enter into some tournaments to meet other teams and see how their skills have improved and give them a feel for some real competition.

The Paperweights were at Alliston Memorial Arena on Saturday April 27, for their practice.

“These kids were all born in 2013 and 2014,” explained Renegades coach Mike Deacon. “We’re low on numbers so we’re trying to strengthen things up. Today is practice then there will be a game. The coaches out there on the floor now are getting ready to have a game. At this age group they play every Saturday for an hour. They have a half-hour of skills.”

The listen to their coaches and go through instruction and practice before getting into game mode.

The Renegades are hoping to recruit more players.

“Our numbers are a little low, especially as the summer goes on,” Deacon said. “You’ve got camp, school, and vacation. This year we’re doing things a little differently. It’s not going to be a traditional rep program where you’re having one or two practices each week and a game. We’re going to have practices and enter exhibition games at the end of the season. The older groups have already started their season.”

The Renegades have several divisions of teams entered this year with teams going up against other squads around the region.

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