Local lacrosse club returns for sophomore season
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An ancient Native American game is growing by leaps and bounds in the Mission Valley. In just its second season, the 10Sticks Lacrosse Club has garnered international recognition in lacrosse magazines, and was the recipient for a U.S. Lacrosse equipment grant that has the athletes returning with new helmets, sticks, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads and eye protection.
The league is led by program director Alex Alviar, who strives to make the ancient game economically and culturally accessible to boys and girls on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
“Last year we struggled to get kids equipment and fields to practice on,” Alviar said. “We finished the season without owning a single piece of equipment.”
The new club made it through the season by bootstrapping and a strong community partnership, Alviar says. Despite the struggle, the team even produced the first two Native All-State Lacrosse athletes in the history of Montana.
With more community members now aware of the club, Alviar’s seen a rise in popularity for the sport.
“On Dec. 10, I was already getting texts from people asking, ‘When are we starting lacrosse?’” Alviar smiled.
So far, the boys’ team has the 10 players it needs for a regulation game, but the girls’ team still needs seven players to be able to participate. Teams can be formed for high school boys and girls, kids 13 and under, 11 and under, and 9 and under.
“The reason we picked the title 10Sticks is because we knew we’d start small, but all we needed was 10 sticks on the field to play,” Alviar said. “Originally, we had 10 kids come out last year. I’m proud of them; they took a big step.”
The club takes on competition from around the state, playing Bozeman, Hellgate, Sentinel and Big Sky.
The team also contributed to First Lady Michelle Obama’s inaugural “Lets Move: In Indian Country” event last year, traveling to Browning to help the Blackfeet Nation field its first lacrosse team ever.
“We brought eight kids who did a great job sharing the game,” he said.
Alviar has high hopes for his teams this year, as his boys’ team is returning a long list of players.
“I’m hoping all 20 sets of gear will be taken and used, which would mean we’d double the size of the program,” he said.
Alviar says benefits for youth joining the lacrosse club include staying active during the spring, typically a down time for athletes, and the distinct nature of the sport.
“There’s not a whole lot being offered in the spring,” Alviar said. “Lacrosse is unique; no other sport like it. It’s an ancient game that’s rooted in Native American tradition. It has immense potential to bring people together.”
Alviar added the sport is a great way to reach children and bridge social conflicts and gaps in the community. Lacrosse also offers something for everyone.
“It’s unlike other sports,” Alviar said. “Lacrosse has a position for every body type. It favors small and fast athletes, but you can be a big guy (and play too). One thing for this year is everyone’s guaranteed a lot of playing time. If a kid has felt cut out from other sports, this is something new that they can make their mark in.”
Meetings for anyone interested in joining 10Sticks will be held March 1 and 8 at the Camas Room in the Salish Kootenai College Gymnasium. Both meetings will go from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
