Lacrosse Sport - Assignment Example

Lacrosse SportAccording to Vennum (2002), Lacrosse sport is one of the indigenous sports among the North American Indians dating back as early as 1400s. Although Lacrosse is currently a non-Olympic sport, it was once a demonstrative Olympic sport between 1908 and 1948. However, the sport was not added to the Olympics program. In the early days, Lacrosse, then referred to as Baggataway, was regarded as a religious ritual that was spiritually significant among the Indian tribes. This is because the Indian tribes played the game to help them settle disputes, asks gods for healing, gain spiritual development and in training their military.

The game could engage teams of over hundred to thousand players in a field covering more than 500 yards or even half a mile. Players were expected to move a small ball, made of animal skin, past the opponent’s goal post using three or four foot long sticks with a net at the end. The game lasted for two to three days consecutively from sunup to sundown.The transformation of Baggataway to today’s Lacrosse begun in 1637 with the French missionaries who observed the Indians play and introduced it in France.

This was followed by a match between the French and Indians at Montreal’s Olympic club in 1844. The France missionaries are also recognized as the founders of the name Lacrosse from their generic term “Crosse” referring to stick and ball games. The sport was then introduces in Canada where George Beers, the father to modern Lacrosse sport, revised the game rules and founded National Lacrosse Association of Canada. The Association modified the game and reduced the number of team players to twelve.

The games popularity grew not only in Canada but also across other countries such as England, United States, Ireland, and Australia (Massie, 1997). There are three main reasons that qualify Lacrosse to be included in the next, 2014, winter Olympics. The first one is that Lacrosse is both a summer and winter game. This is possible because, currently there are four kinds of Lacrosse games that include Mini lacrosse, Box or indoor, Men’s field, and women’s field Lacrosse (Aveni, 2012). Mini lacrosse and Box or indoor Lacrosse can be played during the winters since they are not played in the open.

Mini lacrosse is a modification of Lacrosse that emphases on the skills which are usually taught in the gym. It is also easy to hold a Box Lacrosse match in a room since it consists of 12 players, 6 from each team. Moreover, during the summers all the four sports are viable to be played. The second one is that Lacrosse sport does not discriminate women. Among the native communities, sports were strictly for men while women watched and cheered them. However, in early 1890s, women’s field Lacrosse was introduced western counties especially in colleges and learning institution (Massie, 1997).

The main difference between Men and Women Lacrosse is that, unlike the Men’s field lacrosse, women’s lacrosse does not have any boundaries or body check. The third reason is that Lacrosse sport involves a lot of athletic skills that are vastly acknowledged in the Olympics. Therefore, Lacrosse is compatible with the Olympics activities. In addition, introduction of Lacrosse sport in the Olympic is advantageous. This is because it increases the chances of women as well as winter affected countries participating in the Olympics.

In conclusion, this paper gives a clear description of a non-Olympic sport, Lacrosse sport, which needs to be re-considered and added to the Olympic program. It also clearly illustrates the reasons why Lacrosse should be included in the Olympics as well as the advantages of Lacrosse.ReferencesVennum, T, J. (2002). American Indian Lacrosse: Little Brother of War. Retrieved from http://www.uslacrosse.org/TopNav/MuseumHallofFame/History.aspxMassie, L, B. (1997). Lacrosse: Michigan's First Team Sport.

Retrieved from http://www.laxhistory.com/history/index.htm?/history/massie.htm~laxmainAveni, A. (2012).The Indian Origins of Lacrosse. Retrieved from http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/winter10/lacrosse.cfm