Shattler brings lacrosse expertise to young players

By Lethbridge Herald on July 14, 2022.

JHerald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Jeff Shattler shows local young lacrosse players some stickhandling during the first day of the lacrosse clinic at Nicholas Sheran Arena on Thursday.

By Justin Seward

The Lethbridge Sport Council welcomed Saskatchewan Rush  player, Jeff Shattler, to conduct the  second annual two-day lacrosse clinic on Thursday and Friday.

The two-day lacrosse clinic fell under the LSC Creator’s Game in partnership with seven other organizations as a part of the Pathway to Participation Advancing Indigenous Sport initiative.

The clinic was held at Nicholas Sheran Arena on Thursday and today at the Kainai Sports Centre in Standoff, and saw the introduction to lacrosse, advanced skills and scrimmages, fitness and mental performances presented by Alberta Sport Development Centre Southwest and an exhibition game played by select players for all to come and enjoy in Standoff.

Shattler is a two-time National Lacrosse League MVP and league champion.

“This program is nice,” said Shattler.

“It’s nice to get out of Saskatchewan and go back to Alberta. I was a part of Alberta for so long. It’s nice to be spread out and travel and see new talent throughout the provinces and  I’m just having a fun ride. I’ve gotten away from playing this summer and now  I’ve been focusing more on coaching the Shattler Lacrosse Academy and I’m very grateful that Chad (Chief Moon) and Shawn (Daye-Finley) brought me down for the second year and I believe it’s only going to get better each and every year.”

Shattler was focusing on the fundamentals with the proper techniques of throwing, picking up the ball and making sure the players were having fun.

“It’s a free program that Lethbridge Sport Council puts on, which I think is an amazing thing that they’re doing,” he said.

“And some of these kids are new to the sport and hopefully we can drag a couple more kids over to the dark side and play some LAX. I think lacrosse has a lot of good things that when kids play during the summer, they stay away from hockey all year round and it makes them tougher, it’s a new sport — introducing kids to new things is what we’re trying to do here.”

The clinic also is bringing communities together.

“Especially First Nations and that’s the big thing I’m trying to put together here ,you know making those ties between Saskatchewan First Nations and Alberta First Nations and I think it’s a great thing bringing communities together,” he said.

Shattler host programs in the public and catholic schools and First Nations.

“I really don’t care, as long as I’m teaching the game and spreading it,” said Shattler.

“I believe I’m doing something for what lacrosse has given me — lacrosse has given me so much. So, in turn I want to try give kids the opportunity that I had.”

Chief Moon was a part of the process of getting Shattler here.

“Bringing an Indigenous pro lacrosse player like Jeff Shattler to our region again will continue to grow the game,” said he said.

“ Youth will learn lacrosse skills and gain an understanding of the cultural significance of the game. They will also learn about the opportunities lacrosse can bring them, such as scholarship opportunities and avenues for playing pro lacrosse. This year we wanted to bring the game to the reserve to show everyone how fast, rough, and entertaining the game is.”

Shawn Daye-Finley, Lethbridge Sport Council said, “We invite all interested coaches who are currently coaching lacrosse or who want to get involved to join Jeff and Chad on the floor to receive hands-on experience and mentoring,”  said Shawn Daye-Finley of LSC.