History

   Traditionally, certain groups of indigenous people of North America played a game called ‘baggataway’. It was played with a wooden stick bent at the top where thongs were stretched across to form a pocket just big enough to hold a crudely fashioned ball. The stick was made of light hickory or some other wood that was strong and flexible. The ball was made of deerskin stuffed with hair or it might be nothing more than a wooden knot cut out of a tree.

   To the early French settlers, the stick resembled a bishop's crozier, or 'croisse' so they called the game "la crosse". Later in English it became lacrosse.

   At the time when lacrosse was played among the Hodenushune (Iroquois), there were few set rules governing the playing conditions and the actual play of the game. The only universal rule which was in effect among all Native groups was that players could not touch the ball with their hands. The other rules varied. The shape of the stick, the size of the ball, the number of players, the size of the field and the goals, and the length of the game were all decided by the teams involved.

   The game was often played tribe against tribe, or village against village, with as many as 1000 individuals taking part in a wild mêlée that likely resulted in serious injuries to some players, and perhaps even a fatality. These aggressive tribal contests were more a test of endurance and manhood than a game, and were preceded by up to two weeks of rigorous training.

   In 1867, on the same day the Dominion of Canada was created, lacrosse was named the national sport of Canada. . At the beginning of the year, only six clubs played in Canada. By the end of the year, eighty clubs competed in the sport. During the latter part of the 19th century and up to the early 1930's the game flourished and attracted large crowds.

   Dr. W. George Beers became known as the 'father of lacrosse.' He organized the game and helped spread its popularity. Dr. Beers, a Montreal dentist, formed the Canadian National Lacrosse Association. He also drew up the first set of written rules.

   Lacrosse was first reported to have been played in Manitoba in1871, and shortly after this, the Prince Rupert Lacrosse Club was formed at Fort Garry. A lacrosse club was formed at Winnipeg in 1876. In 1882 lacrosse equipment was available in Edmonton, and several pickup games were played there during the summer. The following March, the Edmonton Lacrosse Club was organized but, because of a lack of competition, it disbanded in 1885.

   The Calgary Lacrosse Club was organized in 1884 with Captain Boynton serving as the club's first president. The club's membership swelled to thirty, with games among the club members being held periodically on weekends and, on several occasions, competitions took place between the citizens and the police.

   After lagging interest, the Calgary Lacrosse Club was re-organized in 1887. Mr. Boag, a teacher who was to be elected as the club's president, organized a lacrosse meeting at the school house. A practice ground was secured on the prairie south of the railway tracks. Mr. Boag introduced the game to some of the older students in the school. The Calgary Lacrosse Club operated in a local manner for several years.

Source:
Lacrosse No.4 in the "How To" Series,
Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate