Lacrosse Sixes: The newest sport at Durham College

This fall, student-athletes at Durham College (DC) will hit the lacrosse field for the first time.

DC is joining Humber Polytechnic, Mohawk College, and Fleming College in a pilot season of lacrosse sixes, with the goal of making the popular sport a permanent fixture in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).

Each of the four schools will host an exhibition series this fall, with DC set to welcome teams to the Oshawa campus on October 18.

“Lacrosse has deep roots in Canadian heritage, especially in our region, and we are excited to help create another pathway for athletes to continue competing at the collegiate level,” said Scott Dennis, Director of Athletics and Recreation at DC. “The growth of the game across Durham Region, combined with the passion within our local lacrosse community, makes this an exciting opportunity for Durham College and the OCAA. We are proud to help shape the future of collegiate lacrosse and create new opportunities for athletes to be part of the game.”

Lacrosse sixes is played on a 70 by 36 metre surface (smaller than field lacrosse) with six players on each side. As a competitive club sport, the team will be open to both men and women. Tryouts will be held at the Campus Fieldhouse in September.

DC’s team will be led by head coach Kyle Curtis, a Whitby native with extensive experience in the sport both on and off the field. He has coached teams for the Whitby Minor Lacrosse Association, Edge Lacrosse, and Team Ontario, as well as the Oshawa Blue Knights. In his own playing career, he competed at the NCAA Division II level with Belmont Abbey College.

“To be part of launching lacrosse at Durham College is an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for,” said Curtis. “I’m excited to help build a program that players can be proud of, compete at a high level and create another pathway for local student-athletes to stay in Durham Region while continuing their lacrosse careers.”

The popularity of lacrosse continues to grow in the region, with several established minor lacrosse organizations and the recent arrival of the National Lacrosse League’s Oshawa Firewolves.

“The number one question we get at Open House is, ‘Do you have lacrosse?’. There’s a demand for it,” said Dennis. “There’s definitely a lacrosse movement right now, so to be a part of that at the college level is exciting.”

To learn more about the first year of DC lacrosse, visit the Durham Lords website.