One year from first stick to the European Championship

Stanislav Druska studied sports science, teaches PE and has played sport all his life. He joined Bats from floorball a year ago, and this summer he was already wearing the national team jersey at the European Box Lacrosse Championship in Prague. We talked about how to handle such a fast jump and what he would tell guys looking for a new sport.

A year ago you held a lacrosse stick for the first time, and today you have represented your country at the European Championship. If someone had told you that at your first practice, what would you have thought?

That they were pulling my leg.

You studied sports science and have played sport all your life. What from your physical preparation and other sports helped you skip the usual learning phase so quickly?

Since childhood I have done a lot of sports: lacrosse, floorball, badminton, volleyball, swimming and many more. You could say every single one of them played its part.

Box lacrosse is known for its toughness, speed and tactics in a small space. What was the biggest shock for you as a rookie? The physical demands, or handling the stick?

Stick technique is a bit like floorball, which is where I come from. The shock was probably the contact. In box lacrosse you can do many things that would be a foul in most other sports. Here they are part of the game.

You teach PE at a secondary school, so you see today’s young people every day. What do you think is missing for those who have talent but don’t know which sport to choose?

I don’t think they are missing anything. They just have an incredible number of options. At a young age it is hard to choose one and go all in.

Lots of young people crowd into football or hockey, where the competition is huge. What makes box lacrosse special and what opportunities does it open for someone with a sporting spirit who wants to go far?

Definitely the smaller competition. If you are a sporting talent, you have an easier path to bigger success.

How did it feel when you found out about the final selection for the European Championship? How did you experience the tournament and representing your country?

I was thrilled. Since I was a kid I dreamed of representing Slovakia in some sport. I did not make it in floorball, so this was something new for me and I enjoyed it to the full. Even though we did not qualify for the World Championship and every single one of us felt the disappointment.

They are the same kind of crazy as me.

You have not been on the team for long. How did the locker room welcome you as a rookie, and what is so special about our team that it pulls you in so quickly?

I think I fitted in quickly, at least I hope so. They are the same kind of crazy as me. What pulls you in is probably that all the guys are genuinely decent people. From the moment you step onto the floor, every single one of them tries to help you.

Imagine a 16-year-old with energy who plays sport but is looking for a challenge. What would you tell him? Why should he come and try our practice?

Want to try something unusual that you have only seen in American movies? A sport that not everyone plays, unlike football or hockey? Are you tough with Bolt’s speed in your legs? Come and try box lacrosse. We practise on Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 – 9:30 pm at the Areál netradičných športov on Pivonková Street. We look forward to seeing you.

Want to give it a try?

We lend you the gear to start with and the first practices are free. Sign up for practice or message us on Instagram.