A celebration of lacrosse is on tap for Orillia this weekend.
The annual Boyd Balkwill Memorial Lacrosse Tournament begins on Friday afternoon. It will bring 22 teams from Newmarket, Mimico, Nepean, and other communities from across the province to Rotary Place in west Orillia.
The Orillia Kings have teams competing in the U9, U11, and U13 divisions. Orillia Minor Lacrosse president Christy Scheffel says each local team has a shot at gold this weekend.
"Teams have been practising two to three times a week," she said. "We've had some zone games to try and get ready in anticipation for the tournament."
Scheffel says it would be special for the three Orillia teams to win the gold medal this weekend.
"We would love nothing more than to watch all three Orillia teams respect the game, honour Boyd Balkwill, and walk away with gold medals," she said. "The smiles on the faces would be unbelievable."
The championship games begin on Sunday afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free, and you can find a full schedule of events here.
Scheffel says the local economy will be the biggest winner of this weekend's tournament. There is expected to be more than 420 athletes, parents, and coaches in Orillia over the three-day tournament.
"People will be looking for places to go in between games," she said. "That might be going to get something to eat at a local restaurant, staying in local hotels, and visiting our parks and all the other things that we have to offer down at the waterfront."
Scheffel says tournament director Janey Thompson has done a great job organizing this weekend’s tournament.
"There are so many volunteers, board members, and volunteers who make this run," she said.
In addition to the tournament, Orillia's top-level box lacrosse team will also be showcased.
At 7 p.m., Saturday night, the Mister Transmission Orillia Jr. B Kings take to the floor for their final home game of the regular season.
The Kings, who are second in the Mid-East Division with a record of 9-9, will take on the Newmarket Saints who are winless through 18 games.
Orillia head coach Jim Meredith says the Kings have been competitive in almost every game this season.
"We are better," he said "We already have one more win than we did last year and could easily be 13-5 right now."
Going into the playoffs, Meredith believes the Kings can "realistically" make a run.
"It looks like we might end up playing Orangeville," he said. "Which is alright, we've actually beat them, and if it's Clarington, we only lost to them by one both times."
During Saturday's game, the Kings will honour an important piece of Orillia history when the 1994 Founders Cup championship team is recognized.
"It's big for the organization," Meredith said. "I think it might bring out some people who once played on that team or have a connection to it somehow. Lots of those people don't come out anymore, so it's a good thing that we are starting to get those people back."
Meredith is hopeful that visiting players competing in the Boyd Balkwill tournament will attend the game.
"Even if we can get a couple of kids from each team out, that would be great," he said.
Admission is two for the price of one on Saturday night for the Kings contest and Quayle's Brewery will be hosting the booster club.
