Uncertain Future for Lacrosse Promotion Program in Northern Canada

The future of the N60 program, aimed at promoting lacrosse in Northern Canada, is in jeopardy following the depletion of its funding. Launched by the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation, the initiative sought to introduce Canada’s official summer sport to communities north of 60 degrees latitude. Since its inception in 2022, the program has successfully organized clinics in various locales, including Baker Lake, Nunavut, Norman Wells, N.W.T., and most recently, Ecole St. Joseph School in Yellowknife last month.

Kyle Kugler, the executive director of Hockey North in the N.W.T. and a committee member for the N60 project, explained that the initiative was inspired by a successful lacrosse program in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, which also influenced the 2018 film, The Grizzlies. “The N60 program was established to reintroduce or expand lacrosse north of 60,” Kugler stated.

The program provided essential equipment such as helmets, gloves, sticks, and t-shirts to participating communities. Additionally, it offered coaching to teach the sport’s history and fundamentals during sports clinics. Jim Burke, chair of the N60 project committee, emphasized that the aim was to cultivate enough local interest in lacrosse so that the sport could thrive independently once the visiting coaches departed. “The kids experience the game and its physical and mental benefits; that was our intent from the start,” Burke noted.

Kugler believes that lacrosse serves as a beneficial off-season activity for hockey players due to its similar characteristics. “There’s a tremendous opportunity for lacrosse here, especially with hockey players,” he remarked. “We have a definitive hockey off-season, unlike southern regions where the sport is played year-round.”

The program has encountered significant challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered travel and operations. Burke reflected, “We spent a lot of time meeting about it but not doing much because of travel restrictions.” Even after those restrictions were lifted, the high costs associated with travel and shipping equipment proved problematic. Moreover, sustaining community interest has been a persistent challenge. Burke highlighted the necessity of finding local individuals who are willing to continue the program’s momentum after external support ends, stating, “We struggled with that.”

With the N60 program now facing an uncertain future, Kugler indicated that plans for 2026 remain undetermined. “We are trying to figure out next steps now that we’re going to have to walk on our own a little bit,” he said.

The fate of the N60 program underscores the challenges of fostering sports initiatives in remote communities, where funding and local engagement are crucial for long-term success. As stakeholders seek solutions, the hope remains that lacrosse can continue to grow in Northern Canada, benefiting local youth both physically and mentally.