(July 20, 2012)… The Iroquois Lacrosse Arena is a little quieter today. The previous four days, the sounds of bouncing lacrosse balls and whistles echoed down the winding hallways of the arena in Six Nations.

This year’s camp, run by Arrows Express Sports Camp, hosted 54 kids and several players from the 2012 World Champion Rochester Knighthawks Monday through Thursday. For six hours a day, the youngsters learned a variety of skills that included stretching, drills and fitness training.

Head instructors were three-time NLL Champion Mike Accursi and two-time NLL Goaltender of the Year Matt Vinc who worked with the kids, ranging in age from seven to 14. Accursi just completed his 15th season of professional lacrosse, and spends the offseason coaching and running camps. The full-time teacher spent his week working with the youngest of the lacrosse players.

“I had the little kids so we worked more on skills like passing, catching and loose balls,” said Accursi. “As the camp went on we improved on those skills, and on the last day we were using them in game situations. We did pick and rolls and screens, and emphasized team concepts.”

Vinc, who was the backbone of the Knighthawks Championship run, worked with players on fundamentals as well, especially the goalies. Also a full-time teacher, Vinc is a natural choice to work with youngsters.  Vinc completed his seventh season last year and posted incredible numbers in the postseason, recording 134 saves in only three games. He also notched a 10.67 goals-against average and a .807 save percentage. After working the camp last summer, Vinc moved into a head instructor role this year.

“We tried to teach the kids as many skills as possible. We showed them the basics they needed to be successful,” said Vinc. “We made sure they had fun by incorporating a lot of games and competitions. We wanted everyone to walk away with an enjoyable experience.”

With the highest attendance in the camp’s history, it was important to have extra help in the form of guest instructors, which included Knighthawks Craig Point, Jake Henhawk and Alex “Kedoh” Hill, along with former NLL star Merrick Thompson and members of the Six Nations Arrows Junior A team.

The facility, which was built in 2004 by Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres, serves as the home floor for the Arrows. It has produced stars like Point, Hill, Cody Jamieson, Sid Smith, Johnny Powless, Andy Secore, Joel White and Brett Bucktooth to name a few. It also serves as the practice facility for numerous NLL teams, including the Knighthawks.

The next clinic at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena will be hosted by Championship Game MVP Cody Jamieson, and will feature special guests from the Knighthawks and the NLL. The camp is from Wednesday, July 25th to Thursday, July 26th. The camp is limited to 45 kids at the Pee Wee, Bantam or Midget age groups. All participants will receive a free Under Armour® head. To reserve your spot, call (905) 768-5090.