Some of Canada's best lacrosse players will be facing off during the Canadian Lacrosse Association Minor National Championship tournament.
One of those players is goalie Rhys Oliver.
Since lacrosse started in Bonnyville six years ago, the 14-year-old has shown a keen interest in the sport, and was described by his dad, Jody, as “always with a lacrosse stick in his hand.”
For Rhys, it was the speed of the sport that drew him in, the high contact and the constant play of the game.
His passion has taken him to a national level of lacrosse, the minor championships.
Hearing the news that he had been selected as one of two goalies for the Team Alberta, Rhys said, was exciting.
Out of the eight goalies who took part in the north tryouts, he felt he stood out because of his size.
“I'm a lot bigger than most of the goalies who were there,” he said.
But size wasn't everything. In preparation for his debut during tryouts, he arrived an hour before his turn in net. For the first 15 minutes he sits and thinks about what he is about to do, and reminds himself of how far he has come.
His first five years playing lacrosse were spent locally with the Lakeland Heat. This year, he wanted to up his game and committed to a bantam A team in Edmonton, driving up to six days a week to the city.
“It's the highest level of lacrosse you can play in Alberta,” said Jody, adding the drive is worth it for Rhys to play this level of lacrosse.
Seeing his son's hard work payoff is rewarding, and having the opportunity to see him play on a national level is thrilling, Jody noted.
“It's nice to see something that he loves so much, for him to be rewarded for all of the time that he has put into the game.”
Last year, Rhys was the recipient of an Alberta Lacrosse Association award for giving back to the sport and the community that helped him get to where he is today as a player.
“Rhys goes out and helps the new goalies in Bonnyville,” described Jody.
He shows new players how to play the game, and gives them a few tips from one goalie to another.
“He is not just about himself, he is willing to give back to the sport and other players,” said Daryl Hodinsky, coach with the Lakeland Heat.
Hodinsky coached Rhys for three years, and described him as a dedicated player who is willing to learn and has a passion for the game.
“It's an amazing thing to see someone from the Lakeland make a team of this caliber in such a short period of time,” he added.
As Rhys gears up for the tournament, Hodinsky wanted to share a piece of advice with his former athlete.
“I would tell him to enjoy himself, to have fun, and be the best that he can be. He is already doing the Lakeland proud, so he should do himself proud.”
