Boise’s Qwest Arena to host inter-squad game and clinic

EDMONTON AB--The Edmonton Rush are pleased to announce today that the club’s opening training camp for the 2009 National Lacrosse League season will be held at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

The highlight of the four-day camp running November 13-16 will be an inter-squad game on Friday, November 14 between Team Rush White and Team Rush Black that will be open to the public. Game time is 7:10 p.m. with free admission.

Following player medicals, the Rush will have six training sessions during the camp. The camp will also feature a lacrosse clinic for young players instructed by Rush GM/Head Coach Bob Hamley, Assistant Coaches Chris Stachniak and Ian McGough and Team Captain Chris McElroy.

“The trip is a chance for our players to do some team bonding right off the start of the year which we believe will benefit us in the long run. It gives the local based Edmonton players the opportunity which they would not otherwise have to spend time with their team mates off the floor.” said Rush General Manager/Head Coach, Bob Hamley.  “Our goal is to make the playoffs this season and developing a higher level of camaraderie early on will definitely help us in that goal.”

The inter-squad game will mark the first taste of professional lacrosse in Idaho where the sport is flourishing. Since its inception in 1998 the Treasure Valley Lacrosse League has seen participation jump from five teams and 125 players to 13 teams and more than 700 players. Enrollment of youth players through the Idaho Chapter of U.S. Lacrosse has quadrupled during that time period and teams have started up at both the University of Idaho and Boise State University.

“We welcome the National Lacrosse League and hope its representatives have the opportunity to appreciate all the wonderful amenities Boise has to offer,” said Mayor David Bieter.

Qwest Arena is the home of the two-time ECHL Champion Idaho Steelheads, the Boise Burn of Arena Football2, and the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League.

“We are excited to bring the National Lacrosse League to Boise and Qwest Arena,” added NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. “We see Boise as a potential market for expansion. It’s a great sports town and would fit in very well with our Western teams in the U.S. and Canada.”

The Rush return to Edmonton on November 28 – 30 for the first of their remaining training camps prior to the start of the 2009 season.