|
The preparations for the 2012 U19 Lacrosse World Championships are well on their way and not least the battle for a spot in the Finnish national team has begun. The first evaluation camp here in Finland was held in August 2010, where the young potential stars were able to show coach Worthington what they are made of. The purpose of the evaluation camp was to check the current level of the players and to help players identify their strengths and weaknesses. At that time there were a mere 26 youngsters. A lot has happened in just 10 months. Next month try outs for the players eligible for the Finnish U19 national team will be held. At the time of the writing around 50 players are expected to try out for the national team, the furthest coming from all the way from Seattle, USA. 
In 2008 in Coquitlam, Canada the Finnish U19 team was placed last. This time the Finnish team has a lot more material and furthermore there are some definite talents in our player pool already. Most likely the Finns won’t be competing in the final four, but there is a good chance to finish in the top 8 in the upcoming tournament. Finishing in the top 8 is definitely not an easy task. In addition to Finland the following nations are competing in the games: USA, Canada, Iroquios, Australia, England, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Bermuda. Making it to the Finnish national team will require a great deal of hard work for the players. Before the evaluation camp in August ’10 head coach Risto Worthington shared the following:
In order to make the Finnish National Team, each player has to WANT IT. I am looking for dedication to the sport but more so dedication to representing your country on an international stage. I expect each players BEST EFFORT and will settle for nothing less. Being a part of this team will require sacrifice. I mean the players will have to sacrifice time with friends to work out, sacrifice weekends at festivals for practice, sacrifice time watching TV to pick up their stick to throw against a wall. If that attitude is not there then our team will be embarrassed in front of our fans in Turku. I do not expect that to happen, I expect to win and surprise all the teams from the last tournament.
The player pool truly seems promising and motivated. In 2008 players of the U19 national team Mikko Varjo and John Snellman represented the Finnish national men’s team in the same year at the European Championships in Lahti, Finland. Now 9 of the players trying out for the U19 national team have also a chance of getting a spot at the men’s national team for upcoming European Championships in Amsterdam. In addition the U19 eligible Mark Snellman was already on the roster of the men’s national team in the World Games in Manchester, England in 2010. The FIL rules for international play state that players whose at least one grandparent is a citizen of the representing country has a right to play for that country. Thus there are a few Finnish descents under scouting in North America who have a chance to make it in the Finnish U19 team. One of them, Treven Salminen, will be heading over to Finland for the try outs in July. The Finns will have a very competitive team in a European level. The biggest question mark at the moment is however in the goaltending department. The Finnish national ice-hockey team is known for its oversupply of high quality goalkeepers. The situation is very different in lacrosse. So far there are only two goalies in the player pool for the U19 team. Some of the players of the U19 player pool have played the game for around 5 years and some have only just started. However, no matter the starting point the focus points of Risto Worthington are clear.
In order to be great in this sport each player and coach has to focus on the fundamental skills. If those skills, (passing, catching, scooping for example) are not practiced or taught correctly, lacrosse will never flourish. It is my goal to have coaches and player clinics to teach skill and tactical development. This will start to build a strong foundation for lacrosse in Finland and get us closer to being an elite European lacrosse country.
The best of Finnish youth lacrosse will gather on the 15th of July for the first try outs. The try out -camp will last until the 17th and all coaches will be present (Risto Worthington, Grif Barhight, Kevin Boland and Pentti Pekkonen). You can learn more about the coaches at the official website of the Finnish U19 national team at www.TeamFinlandU19.com (at the moment only available in Finnish, but you can find the coaches underJoukkue > Joukkueenjohto). The second and final try out will be held this autumn. 23 players will be chosen for the U19 national team for the U19 World Championships in Turku, Finland held from 12th of July to the 21st of July 2012. Last changed: Aug 17 2011 at 12:51 PM
|
|
