By TRT Staff with notes from fnjbll.wordpress.com
SIX NATIONS — As recognition for the Junior-level talent that exists on Six Nations, and as the population of Junior-level players continues to grow, news of a new, Six Nations-based, Junior ‘B’ squad was announced in November.
Roger Vyse posted to Facebook to announce the initiative of expanding into the First Nations Junior ‘B’ Lacrosse League (FNJBLL), formerly Iroquois Nations Junior B Lacrosse League on Thursday, November 29.
Named the Six Nations Fire, the new team is the first Canadian team to expand into the FNJBLL. Vyse explained that the initiative was born out of a desire to help Six Nations players play for their hometown at the level they deserve to play in, without having to play elsewhere.
“Sharing some good news to our lacrosse community,” wrote Vyse. “A committee of community members stepped up to bring a new team here to Six Nations. [Our community has] so much young talent and not [every player is] able to make our already established junior teams, and [are] made to play off reserve.”
To note, the FNJBLL is a box lacrosse league sanctioned by the First Nations Lacrosse Association. The league was formed in 2014 with the restructuring of the Canadian Lacrosse Association. Four teams competed in the inaugural season. Just like the Rebels, the league winner earns a spot in the Founders Cup, the national championship for Junior ‘B’ lacrosse.
Vyse shared that tryout dates will be scheduled as follows: December 29: 7-9 p.m., January 5: 7-9 p.m., January 13: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., January 19: 7-9 p.m., and February 2: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m..
He also noted several parameters for interested Fire hopefuls: new incoming, graduating minors and Junior ‘C’ players must acquire written permission from Neil Henhawk at grandrivermemorial@hotmail.com.
While Six Nations Minor Junior ‘B’ players will need written permission from proper authorities of their respective teams, with dates able to tryout and signed by team officials.
If a player would like to reclassify; they are required to follow through with the OLA office and will be subjected to a $250 fee. Reclassification must be completed with proof before a player is allowed to take part in try-outs.
It was noted that the team will play home games out of the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA).
The first game in FNJBLL, formerly INJBLL, history was contested between Tonawanda and Seneca on May 24, 2014 at Cattaraugus Community Center. Seneca won the game 27-4.
