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Four age levels of River Valley lacrosse players started practices in late April - as soon as the ice was taken out of the River Valley Civic Centre - and are set to play their first jamboree of the season this weekend when they meet southern New Brunswick teams in Fredericton.

Dan Doherty, coach of the midget level players, said last week that there has been a lot of interest, so much that at the Bantam level the teams are full with a waiting list. At the Novice, PeeWee and Midget levels though, there is still room for anyone who wants to play.

"We've got two new coaches at the peewee-novice level - Rita Kelley and Diane Butterfield. We do have room at that level for any of the kids who are still interested in playing. George Foster is coaching the Bantams and we're full with a waiting list at that age group. Midget, I get to coach, and we have lots of room for any players at that age (14 and 15).

"We're just getting geared up for that first jamboree this weekend May 3. Our first jamboree hosted here in Perth-Andover will be Saturday, May 17.

"Also, some of our older kids have tried out for a field lacrosse team, a club team based in Fredericton and they'll be playing in the states during the summertime. Box lacrosse in the big thing in Canada, we play in arenas, whereas in the states they play field lacrosse, basically on a soccer field. A lot different rules, but it's still a lot of fun and there are scholarship opportunities for kids to go to U.S. colleges to play. I know we have at least three trying out, maybe more."

There are two regular practices a week in Perth-Andover, Tuesday and Thursdays.

"Except for Bantam, if you want to play you've got a spot," Doherty concluded. "We'll practise in Perth-Andover until Farmer's Market comes in to play and then we move to Florenceville."