Newcomers Program Funded by Jumpstart

Newcomers taking lacrosse next-level!
 
Lacrosse Nova Scotia continues to grow the game – and address the need to become a more diverse, inclusive and equitable sport in the province. With the support of Jumpstart, youth – and their families – from around the world, now making their home here in Nova Scotia, are being introduced to Canada’s national summer sport.
A Newcomers Lacrosse Program started October 14, playing in eight two-hour weekly sessions from the Gray Memorial Arena in Dartmouth. This program builds on a Fall 2022/ Winter 2023 introductory program with the Alnaas Community & Youth Development Association: this partnership continues, as 38 8- to 16-year-old youth with Alnaas will now learn the basic skills and take the “next step” in their skill development through recreational game play.
“We know that providing opportunities for youth to play within their cultural groups helps them feel welcome and safe,” says Lacrosse NS executive director Donna Goguen. “In the past two years, we have provided 'try lacrosse' and next-level skills development to a number of under-represented groups, including for Black/ African Nova Scotians, newcomers, girls and women, our indigenous community, and programming for rural areas of the province.”
Tailoring these outreach programs to groups’ and communities’ needs means typical sport age groups are suspended, as new players develop their skills together. Families bring their children to one free, all-ages program, decreasing barriers in registration, travel and childcare logistics and costs. Intro sessions provide basic gear for participants, and Lacrosse NS can use Jumpstart and other budgeted or partner funding to source protective gear for players as they advance to a next-level session, or even borrow for use as they join club programs where they live.
Jumpstart funding for this specific Newcomers Lacrosse Program includes buying some key protective gear for older participants. It also means Lacrosse NS program facilitators will access four respect-themed Jumpstart trainings - Respect in Sport Youth Activity Leader, Keeping Girls in Sports, Supporting Positive Behaviors and Welcoming All Abilities – ensuring the safety, inclusion and well-being of participants from communities joining this, and future, Lacrosse NS outreach sessions.
“We are working hard to provide inclusive programming for all - recruiting representative volunteers to lead and coach, and organizing professional development and mentoring opportunities for our officials. Our board is one year into a new strategic plan, and our governance is changing. All of this is working to address diversity, inclusion and equity issues in the delivery of lacrosse in Nova Scotia.”
Lacrosse NS oversees 1,800 members participating in all-ages programs across the province, with opportunities to represent the province at Lacrosse Canada nationals and Canada Games high-performance levels.