AMERICAN ACES PROVE A BIG HIT
THREE years ago a brainchild was hatched for a lacrosse
camp which would attract the best American players to these
shores.
Three years on and that brainchild is a glowing success, thanks
largely to the efforts of Keith Wainer and Eric Foust, business
partners and lacrosse enthusiasts.
In 2003 Wainer, who lives in Wilmslow, and American Foust
- a former overseas Lacrosse Development Officer at Poynton
- managed to attract 38 budding lacrosse youngsters to the
Warrior Lacrosse Camp at Oakwood Farm, Styal Road, home of
Wilmslow Lacrosse Club.
Through Warrior and the duo's efforts top US players Jesse
Hubbard and Jay Jalbert journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean
to teach English children - and by the time 2004 came around
the camp had attracted nearly 70 youngsters.
So it was no surprise to Wainer and Foust when this year's
popular camp, sponsored by UK Lacrosse, attracted over 100
lacrosse players, all of whom came to Wilmslow during Easter
to learn the finer arts of the game.
Hubbard, regarded as one of the best attackers in the world
game, was in Wilmslow again, coaching for a third successive
year. He was joined by Greg Cattrano, the vastly-experienced
goalkeeper regarded as one of/if not the best in his field.
Hubbard won a gold medal with the American team at the 1998
World Championships, while Cattrano has been voted the Mayor
Lacrosse League goalkeeper of the year from 2001-2004.
"The Warrior camp continues to grow and grow," said
Wainer, who was delighted to see girls, as well as boys, learning
from the best in the business at the annual three-day camp.
"It so satisfying seeing the look on these kids faces
when Jesse and Greg are coaching them. They all listen and
go away from the camp with skills to become a better player."
This year Hubbard introduced new techniques, from basic control
of the stick to shooting, with Cattrano on hand to deliver
a coaching seminar on shot-stopping and commanding the goal.
"I love coming back to Wilmslow," said Hubbard,
who teaches lacrosse clinics all over the world. "The
lacrosse players on this camp want to learn - and that makes
it so much easier to coach.
"The game is moving on every year, so each year we come
back to Wilmslow we try and introduce something new and give
those kids on the camp skills to take away with them, for
practice at home and with friends. It's a great way to become
a better player."
A view echoed by Cattrano, who hinted that he is going to
play for the American team against England in the World Championships
in Canada next year.
"The kids have a great few days learning lacrosse, which
is great because I love to coach them and pass off some my
knowledge," said Cattrano, who has never played for the
national team because league rules have never before permitted
him to play before.
"It's a crash course in many ways, but I'm sure everyone
takes something away for the camp and develop their game.
"I looked at drills, technique, being confident - attributes
which help you become a better goalkeeper. All the kids seemed
to enjoy themselves, which is great."
The Warrior Camp is set to return to Wilmslow in March of
next year, with organisers and coaches all agreed that more
lacrosse players will sign up to hone their skills.
- For more information about future Warrior Lacrosse Camps
contact Keith Wainer on 01625 872507.
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