Just like pretty much everyone else around the world the Weyburn Lacrosse Association was effected by the current pandemic in a number of different ways.

They announced back on March 15th that they would be temporarily shutting down all of their programs to aid in the battle to reduce the spread of COVID-19. And by now they would have started up their new season of regular programs but they are cautiously optimistic to be able to start things back up when it is safe to do so. However, this time with a brand new outdoor program they just officially created called the Weyburn Rattlers!

"Well the whole idea of our field lacrosse program came to us in 2019," explained Randy Labrecque, President of the Weyburn Lacrosse Association. "So we worked throughout this entire off-season to put together the Weyburn Rattlers Field Lacrosse program to complement our box lacrosse program. And typically the field lacrosse programs run at the same time as our box lacrosse programs. But there's a lot of synergy with the programming. So there's no cross-over and kids have the ability to play both box and field lacrosse. And the reason why it jumped onto our radar was because we were quick to realize that if any of our midget age players or graduating grade twelves ever wanted to have the opportunity to play college lacrosse that the game they'd have to play is field lacrosse. So we decided to start it up with our program and really broaden the horizons with opportunities for our kids. So that's kind of the nuts and bolts of it. And that program is going to incorporate all of our age groups. So starting with our 6U and 8U programs. There's not a lot of difference between field and box lacrosse at that age. Typically it involves three tournaments throughout the year and a provincials tournament at the end of the season as well. So that's pretty cool. We'll get an opportunity to compete for a second provincial title with field lacrosse. So we're pretty excited about it."

Obviously you haven't been able to do as much as usual but is it true that you have a fundraiser going on?

"Absolutely. So we're in the midst of of spring and summer fundraiser where we are offering fifty-five pound bags of lawn fertilizer for fifty dollars," told Labrecque. "You can get a hold of myself or anyone of the lacrosse families. And then we can just get the money and have it delivered out there to folks. Then in the fall we're gonna be back on offering our sidewalk ice melter to keep everybody upright and safe in the winter time out there. And all of the money we fundraise we make sure it goes into our kids with their player development and that sort of stuff. So we typically buy or upgrade training aids and goal tending equipment. So every dollar that we raise is purchasing items that will not just benefit that year's group of players but also the next few years of players down the round as well."

Are you currently looking for volunteers?

"Just like everything else and every other year we rely heavily on volunteers," expressed Labrecque. "And with the popularity of lacrosse, our numbers growing, and adding programs we're certainly at a point where we want to bring in families that would like to help us as volunteers. We're looking for coaches as well and just anyone that's willing to help us out."

Do you have any final words to leave with the public?

"On behalf of the Weyburn Lacrosse Association and all of our families we just want to pass along our greetings out to everybody and make sure everyone is staying healthy, and staying happy, and that you're out there helping wherever you can," Labrecque said.

To stay up to date with everything that is going on with the Weyburn Lacrosse Association feel free to follow their Facebook page and visit their official website.