2012 Akwesasne Youth Box Lacrosse Camp Highlights

Akwesasne’s Mike Thompson, of the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits, organized and ran a box lacrosse camp for Akwesasne Youth age 8 and under. The camp ran 11 sessions from February 23 – April 5 at the Benson Center in Cornwall. This camp was organized to introduce the game of Tewaaraton to Akwesasne youth interested in playing box lacrosse this year as well as to help more experienced young players improve their skills.

The Camp had 46 registered participants who were separated into two groups based on age and skill. Each week participants learned and practiced different drills and skills from the many coaches who volunteered their time. One of the most amazing contributions to the Camp was made by Joe Francis, who took and donated hundreds of great photos and action shots. These were all posted on the Camps Facebook page for the parents to share with their kids.

Akwesasne’s kids had an amazing opportunity to be coached and mentored by many of the best lacrosse players, not only in Akwesasne, but in the World.  In addition to Mike Thompson, Coaches included Junior A players, such as Seth Oakes and Shane Francis; current and former National Lacrosse League players, such as Brandon Francis, Dwight Bero and Greg Phillips; and seasoned veteran player and coach Bill Roundpoint.  There were also several guest appearances from other accomplished players as well such as Salmon River standout Ky Tarbell, NLL Goaltender Angus Goodleaf, and Brewster Academy standout field goalie Trey Adams. The coaching staff was anchored by several amazing community coaches and players who are dedicated to our kids and our game, namely Tsiorasa Barreiro, Skahendowaneh Swamp, Rasennes Pembleton, Evan Thompson, Taylor Smoke and Hannah Lazare- Leaf.

“I wanted to do a camp like this for a long time and this was a really fun experience for me. I enjoy working with kids, I love coaching, I love this game and it was a pleasure for me to put this on for the kids” said Thompson. “I have to send a huge shout out to my friends who helped me to put this on, thanks everyone!”

The final day of camp had a fastest shot competition, a most accurate shot competition and Mike Thompson, the 2012 NLL East All-Star Starting Goaltender put on the pads. All the kids had a chance to try out their moves and score on Thompson. Thompson stood tall turning away shot after shot, but in the end, several of these young players managed to solve Thompson and score! After the fun on the field, everyone enjoyed a pizza party where Joe Francis and the coaches were thanked and gifted with the beautiful new book by Six Nation’s Faithkeeper Delmor Jacobs and legendary lacrosse builder, Jim Calder, “The Ancient Game”. Prizes were awarded to the Fastest Shot and the Most Accurate Shot winners and all kids received a poster print for the upcoming and much anticipated film for lacrosse fans, “Crooked Arrows”, which stars many players from Akwesasne and other Haudenosaunee communities. The Camp was generously supported in part by Akwesasne Sports, T-19 Sports and the Iroquois Lacrosse Association. The organizers and coaches would like to wish all participants good luck in their upcoming season!

Winner of 2012 Most Accurate Shot Contest was: Tehokwirathe Barreiro, son of Tsiorasa and Randi Barreiro

Winner of 2012 Fastest Shot Contest was: Tehawerahkwa Wells, son of Konwasennawi David

2012 Camp Participants included: Rylan Adams, Tehokwirathe Barreiro, Tryton Benedict, Kobryn Burns, Kyden Burns, Rahhesere Caldwell, Sonnie Cook, Vernon Cooke, Crayton Cree, Landon David, Xavier Delormier, Shakorennawis Doxtador-Swamp, Landon Dupuis, Tahnaokata Elijah, Thihanekaiens Elijah, Rorennenhawi Francis, Kade Herne, Brogan Herne, Bleyton Hopps-Thompson, Atat’shataha Jacobs, Gavin Jacobs, Edward Jacobs III, Jett Jock, Alex LaFrance, Leita-Jayne Lazare, Odessa Lazare, Cayde Lazore, Sidney Leaf, Dallan Lewis, Carston Mitchell, Warren Oakes, Rakwirahes Pembleton, Oakes Ryan, Jr., Ryder Sunday, Blazen Swamp, Fire Swamp, Thorihwaieri Obi, Dayne Thomas, Takaronhiotakie Thompson, Drey Thompson, Sakaronhiotane Thompson, Louie Thompson, Ienni Thompson, Tehawerahkwa Wells, Thomas White, and Myles White.