Close to 40 young athletes, ranging in age from six to 16, took advantage of a free lacrosse clinic last week.

Put on by the local branch of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, the two-day clinic attracted youngsters from throughout the Nicola Valley and as far away as Kamloops.

Each day’s activities included field lacrosse and box lacrosse sessions along with dryland training.

The field activities took place on the playing fields adjacent to the Lower Nicola Indian Band School, while box sessions were held in the Shulus arena nearby.

“We’ve had a great response,” clinic organizer Bernard Manuel said. “The kids have had a great time.”

Instruction at the clinic was provided by Nicola Valley Minor Lacrosse Association coaching staff and special guests Justin, Jeremy and Josh Bosher from Kamloops.

A good number of young lacrosse players from the Nicola Valley and Kamloops took part in a two-day clinic held last week in Shulus. Ian Webster/Herald

A good number of young lacrosse players from the Nicola Valley and Kamloops took part in a two-day clinic held last week in Shulus. Ian Webster/Herald

All three Boshers are heavily involved in the sport of lacrosse.

Jeremy, 18, has just finished his second season of Junior A play with the New Westminster Salmonbellies in Vancouver, while his younger brother, 16-year-old Josh, wrapped up his minor lacrosse career in Kamloops this spring and hopes to join his brother at the Coast next season.

Jeremy, one of the most highly-recruited field and box lacrosse players in North America, has just signed a letter of intent to go to school at the University of Denver in the fall and play field lacrosse for the Pioneers.

“They’re actually the number-one-ranked team going into next season, so it’s going to be a great year, I’m thinking,” Jeremy Bosher said. “I fly out on Aug. 25.”

The future college star has been passionate about lacrosse ever since he was little.

“I love every aspect of the game — the physicality, the pace, the skill level. I’ve been lucky enough to play on Team BC three times.”

At the University of Denver, Jeremy will play fall ball from September to December — which primarily consists of practice, training and tournaments. The real season runs from January to as late as June.

He estimates that a good six or more players from the Kamloops area are playing lacrosse on scholarship at American universities and colleges.

It’s definitely what Kevin Boettger, one of the young attendees at the clinic, has in mind for his future.

Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boettger from Kamloops uses a parachute to generate greater wind resistance during a dryland training session at the clinic. Ian Webster/Herald

Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boettger from Kamloops uses a parachute to generate greater wind resistance during a dryland training session at the clinic. Ian Webster/Herald

“I’d love to get a scholarship to Duke or Syracuse,” the 14-year-old said. “Having the Boshers here coaching us shows me that it’s all possible. It just takes hard work and determination.”