After the NLL Cup, Bandits players lead the next generation

BUFFALO, NY — Getting kids involved in sports from a young age helps develop different life skills. To achieve this with a competitive spirit, we must develop the games that everyone loves.

In this case, it’s lacrosse and a junior program aimed at winning the prize is starting.

Last month, the Buffalo Bandits won their second NLL Cup in as many years. After the confetti, the pros can now focus on how it all started.

“I started playing when I was about 5 years old,” said Bandits forward and Jr. Bandits U13 head coach Chase Fraser. “My brothers played before me and I went to their games when they were playing at Minty Tike. I ended up getting a stick in my hands and I haven’t looked back since and I loved every minute of it. “

Depending on where you grew up, you may have started outside on the field or inside the box. Either way, this 13 and under lacrosse team has the best of the best to help them develop their game.

“Well, it’s great to know that they’re getting these kids to come and see us and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, these are the players. This is really cool. I want to play,'” said Fraser added. “And then they find out we can coach them, that’s also great.

“Right now we’re just looking at the fundamentals of passing and catching so you can complete the most passes and so on.”

It’s back to basics for these guys. And moving on to the next levels takes practice.

“It’s everything that comes from playing alone in the yard,” Fraser said. “I’m completely open to creativity. But sometimes I have to learn the basics here first.”

Maybe these kids will get to that point, but, for now, it’s a trial run, with more than 70 kids competing for about 20 spots.

“It’s a good problem to have there,” Bandits defenseman and junior volunteer coach Zack Belter said. “It’s crazy to see how much talent there is here. You know, it makes for a super competitive tryout. And we’re very excited for the future of Buffalo lacrosse.

While the Bandits may be back-to-back champions, there are now a growing number of professionals from Rochester, Albany and other communities stepping up to give back.

“We all love this game,” he said. “We love playing there. We love coaching. We just love being there (and being able to) meet so many new kids today, it’s pretty cool. And we look forward to developing them as players for people too. “

Although it’s competitive, it’s end game here. It might not be the fastest players, the hardest shooting, or the most physical players who get those last few spots.

“That’s something we’re looking for for a kid that likes wind speed or something like that, but puts 110 percent effort into getting ground balls, works for his teammates and we’re going to pick this child rather than him is something else,” Fraser added. “So it’s a fun process. It’s also very stressful.”

The great Bandits have just won two consecutive championships and the U13s are looking to emulate their coaches in more ways than one.

“We like to see dynamism in the sense that we as adults feel the dynamism within us, as long as we’re building and growing this sport, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Fraser said. “They help us create the path for everyone.”