Lacrosse gaining popularity in Northern Kentucky
UNION, Ky. — You may have heard that lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in America, but what is it? Modern lacrosse is played by using metal and plastic sticks to move a rubber ball and score goals. The offensive strategy is like basketball. The goal is defended by a goalie, but the goal is 6-feet by 6-feet goal, larger than a hockey goal, but much smaller than a soccer goal.
Unlike soccer, the goals are inside the field, not on the end line, so the offense frequently runs behind the goal.
Lacrosse has been played in North America since at least 1100 A.D. In the 1600’s, French missionaries saw the game being played by the indigenous people of the St. Lawrence River valley with wooden sticks and fur-filled balls. By the late-1800’s, lacrosse exhibitions were held in Great Britain, where it is believed the first women’s game was played. Lacrosse was an Olympic sport in 1904 and 1908 and will be again in 2028.
Traditionally, lacrosse has been popular in Canada and in the northeast United States. Until the 1970’s players used wooden sticks hand-made by Native American craftsmen. The ability to mass-produce modern sticks has coincided with the growth of the game which has accelerated in recent years. From 2012-2018, youth participation in lacrosse increased 25%, while participation in baseball increased only 2%, and participation in football decreased 16%.
Lacrosse is gaining popularity in Northern Kentucky too. Since 2019, local high schools, including Ryle, Cooper, and Walton Verona, have added a total of 8 teams (boys and girls combined). In 2023, Thomas More University’s men’s lacrosse team will have its inaugural season. The Northern Kentucky Lacrosse Club sponsors the Bluegrass Bulldogs youth lacrosse teams, and a boys’ high school club team.
For more information visit them at www.nkylacrosse.com or at their Facebook page, @bulldogslacrossenky.
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