Created more than 200 years ago as an integral part of Native American warfare and spirituality, the game of lacrosse reportedly once distracted British colonialists so thoroughly that besieging Indians were able to overrun their fort.

When it wasn’t being used to bemuse invaders, lacrosse was also played simply for fun, and in modern times it still retains much of its captivating power (though most of the violence is gone). For many players, like Canadian Jesse Kemp, promoter and assistant coach of the Beijing team, “it’s more than a game, it’s a lifestyle.”

As more and more people like Kemp – passionate about Canada’s national summer sport (ice hockey was only adopted as the winter sport 10 years ago) – travel the world, the game has traveled with them. Lacrosse made its way to Beijing in 1997 when coach Ma Quanjun came back from studying in Japan, where it has been popular for some time.

There are now a few locations in China where it is played. Most of the Beijing team – who play field lacrosse, which is slightly less violent than indoor lacrosse, according to Jesse – is made up of Chinese, with a few Canadians and Americans thrown in to help guide the still fledgling team.

Being an undeveloped sport is part of its appeal, both for those promoting it and those who play. Kou Teramoto, vice executive director of the Japan Lacrosse Association, says that while few players of more popular sports have a chance at stardom, in lacrosse, “dreams can come true.”

Teramoto came with a Japanese team for the third Beijing Cup, held in mid-June, in which the USA West team also participated as competitors and teachers. He says Japanese lacrosse is growing every year but so far they have no Asian rivals. He hopes to develop a China team to go to the 2005 Asia-Pacific Cup in Osaka and then on to the 2006 Lacrosse World Cup in Canada.

The sport itself seems like many rolled into one – one team member describes it as a combination of basketball, soccer and football with strong hints of hockey. Its uniqueness lies in the use of the netted stick (the name lacrosse was given by French settlers describing the stick, or ‘crosse’), which is used to pick up the ball off the ground (hand-touching is a no-no), throw, catch and hopefully get it into a goal.

The relaxed and social nature of lacrosse is considered by many to be a selling point. Coach Ma calls it a “very wonderful” sport – fun to watch and good for communication, where everyone becomes friends. Kemp says it’s fun to just hang out throw the ball around, but it’s also a game that requires teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Anyone can try their hand at playing – the only thing coach Ma requires is the desire to play. And if you have your own equipment, Jesse, says, so much the better. It may be made in China, but it’s not sold here yet.Jenny Leal

For more information about practice times and equipment, call Jessie Kemp on 135 2287 5124, or email him at kempluv@hotmail.com.