Julien Guignard gets a thrill and adrenalin rush when playing lacrosse – and that’s why he was so happy to learn he made the provincial team.
The 13-year-old son of Paul and Patty Guignard is the only player on the team from Stephenville and he’s just fine with that, as he feels proud to be representing the provincial team.
“It’s wicked and gives you a good feeling to have been chosen,” he said.
He and the other members of the team will be attending the Canadian National Lacrosse Festival in Whitby, Ont., from July 31 to Aug. 6. It’s the largest youth sporting event in all of Canada with more than 9,000 participants.
This is the first year Newfoundland and Labrador will be represented at the lacrosse nationals and it’s a sport that hasn’t been played much on the west coast of the province. However, St. John’s has had a league for several years.
Julien started playing lacrosse thanks to Ron Dobbin in Corner Brook, who started training and conditioning a number of youth in Western Newfoundland back in March.
He and other players traveled to St. John’s twice for tryouts and it was during the last tryouts weekend of May 28 that he learned he had made the team.
“It’s wicked and gives you a good feeling to have been chosen.” - Julien Guignard
Julien said members of the coaching staff in St. John’s were very impressed with the skill level of the boys from the west coast, considering the short time they were involved in the sport. He and four other bantam age boys from Corner Brook made the team.
While he mostly played defense during the tryouts, Julien’s not sure what position be will be placed in during the nationals. The team is still looking for a goalie.
The provincial team coaches will be travelling to the west coast soon to carry out some conditioning and training with the players who have made the team from western.
Julien’s mom said in conjunction with Mr. Dobbin, they hope to grow the sport in Stephenville and Western Newfoundland enough to possibly start a box lacrosse league, which is played indoors; however, they’re still looking for a venue in the Stephenville area for practices.
She said the sport provides great conditioning for hockey players in the off-season.
Julien, who plays hockey as well, is really looking forward to more practice and then competing in the nationals.
