BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
In the 70s, Gary Petrin used to play in the Sudbury lacrosse league. He played six or seven seasons until the league folded due to lack of interest and volunteer support was minimal.
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Now 25 years later, with lacrosse back in the Nickel City at the grassroots level, Petrin stepped up and volunteered his time to coach at the midget level. He didnÂ?t want to be accused of not supporting the game he used to love to play.
"When Russ Farnell and John Grant started the lacrosse league up last year they were looking for volunteers to coach and I signed up," said Petrin. "No doubt about it, I was excited to help."
After playing in the now defunct league Petrin stayed in Sudbury and continued to stay in sports.
"I played just about every sport there was to play," said Petrin. "Lacrosse is still my favourite because I had the most fun."
After playing sports for many years, Petrin stayed involved with sports at the coaching level.
He coached playground hockey and Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) for several years. He also coached in the Sudburnia Soccer League and in the competitive youth soccer league.
Even though he has coached and been involved in many different sports, Petrin believes lacrosse is the best of them all.
"It combines all the toughness, physical play and passing of hockey and basketball," said Petrin. "Basketball and hockey players can learn a lot in lacrosse that would help them in their sports."
Coaching lacrosse has given Petrin a chance to give back to the sport he holds dear to his heart.
"I get really excited watching the kids play the game and get better with each passing game," said Petrin. "It's a lot of fun to pass on tricks and tips that the kids can try."
Petrin has a simple philosophy about whether or not a coach has done a good job.
"I guess you're successful if every guy you coached comes back and plays the following season."
John Grant, vice-president of the Greater Sudbury Lacrosse Association knows the dedicated work of Petrin and other volunteer coaches is key to the success of the league.
"Guys like Petrin and others used to play in the Sudbury league and you need their background when you start a new league," said Grant. "They have been there before and know what it takes."
Grant knows the league wouldn't be the same without the volunteer coaches.
"Guys like Gary are true spirits and we need his energy," said Grant. "He passes his passion onto players and other coaches."
Lacrosse follows the end of the hockey season and ends before the summer sports are in full swing. Petrin believes this is a good sport for kids to play and learn.
"Lacrosse teaches kids to prepare for body contact, passing and shooting skills," said Petrin. "The great thing about lacrosse is it doesn't take a long time to get used to the ball and start having fun out there."
Lacrosse is also great for conditioning.
"It's a quick game with fast whistles so the play is almost always constant," said Petrin. "It's not like hockey when you stop your feet you can glide, the kids are always running and coming off every shift sweating."
Petrin is dedicated to the sport and the league.
"I will be back next year to coach," said Petrin. "I'm having fun and I enjoy my time at the rink helping kids learn the game."
