The future of a program dedicated to advancing lacrosse in Northern regions is in doubt due to a lack of funding. The Canadian Lacrosse Foundation’s N60 initiative was created to expand the presence of Canada’s official summer sport in more northern communities. Since 2022, the program has conducted clinics in various locations, including Baker Lake, Nunavut, Norman Wells, N.W.T., and most recently at Ecole St. Joseph School in Yellowknife.
Inspired by a successful lacrosse program in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, the N60 project aims to reintroduce and expand lacrosse activities above the 60th parallel. The initiative provides essential equipment like helmets, gloves, sticks, and t-shirts to communities, accompanied by coaching sessions to educate participants on the sport’s history and fundamentals. The ultimate goal is to generate enough local interest to sustain lacrosse activities once external coaches have departed.
Lauding lacrosse as a valuable off-season complement to hockey due to their shared attributes, Kyle Kugler, executive director of Hockey North in the N.W.T., highlights the potential for growth, especially among hockey players who have a distinct off-season compared to regions with year-round hockey availability.
The program has encountered obstacles over time, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted travel and operational plans. Despite the easing of pandemic restrictions, challenges persist, such as the high costs associated with transportation and equipment logistics. Additionally, sustaining community interest post-coaching visits has proven to be a recurring difficulty.
As the future of the N60 program remains uncertain, plans for 2026 are currently undeveloped. Kugler acknowledges the need to chart the next steps independently, indicating a period of evaluation and strategic planning for the initiative’s continuity.
