Thunderbirds to Hold Training Camp in Akwesasne
October 28, 2022 – National Lacrosse League (NLL) – Halifax Thunderbirds News Release
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The Halifax Thunderbirds will be part of a historic weekend of lacrosse as the organization holds their second weekend of training camp in Akwesasne, November 12 and 13.
Halifax will open competition on Saturday, November 12 as they take on the San Diego Seals (6pm ET). The Thunderbirds will conclude the weekend against the National Lacrosse League’s newest franchise, the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at 6pm ET. Games will be held at A’nowara’ko:wa Arena, the first professional box lacrosse game(s) to be played at the location.
A’nowara’ko:wa Arena is a 1,500-seat multipurpose arena located in Cornwall Island on the Akwesasne reservation. The Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League Akwesasne Indians call the arena their home.
“Our Akwesasne Mohawk community has a deep attachment to lacrosse, not only for the medicine that it provides for our elders and others, but also for the educational pathways that it provides to our youth,” said Strong Roots Foundation Administrator Chessie White. “To have our community’s A’nowara’ko:wa Arena serve as location of their first pre-season game of the NLL season brings us immense pride that we trust will enrich and inspire the lives of our community members.”
Seeing first-hand how the game of lacrosse can help bring a community together, Thunderbirds Owner/General Manager, Curt Styres, is excited for the opportunity to witness the sport he loves flourish in Akwesasne.
“Carey (Terrance) and Strong Roots continue to work incredibly hard to help the youth in our communities through sports. It is the hope that the young lacrosse players in attendance may realize that one day it very well can be them out on the floor competing at the highest level,” said Styres.
“Giving back to the community and bringing professional sports to the reservation, a place where I call home, is important. It is our obligation to pass it on.”
Training camp for the NLL’s easternmost team opens at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena on Nov. 5-6 with fitness testing and simulated game play. The Thunderbirds open camp with 38 players – 15 forwards, 20 defencemen, and three goalies. Prior to the season’s start, the roster will be reduced to a 21-man Active Roster and four-player Practice Player squad.
The Thunderbirds will space out the final three training camp dates at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations throughout November: Saturday, Nov. 19, Wednesday, Nov. 23 and 30.
Following the conclusion of the Thunderbirds’ training camp, the team will kick off the 2022-23 NLL season with its home opener at Scotiabank Centre on Friday, Dec. 2 against the Philadelphia Wings. Face-off is set for 7:00 p.m. AT.
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