Welcome the Wild.

The Okanagan Wild are officially the British Columbia Intermediate Lacrosse League害羞草研究所檚 newest team, an Interior regional box lacrosse team.

The Wild become the BCILL害羞草研究所檚 eleventh team and will feature 25 elite athletes (born in 1999 or 2000) to represent the Interior, competing against B.C.害羞草研究所檚 best.

The Wild received a 9-1 vote by BCILL governors in favour of joining for the upcoming 2017 season.

害羞草研究所淭he expansion of the Okanagan Wild Inter A Lacrosse Team to B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Interior is exciting news for the growing box lacrosse community in the Interior as the league provides a much needed bridge between minor lacrosse and junior lacrosse for players aged 16 to 18,害羞草研究所� the league announced in a press release.

The Wild will be coached by Penticton害羞草研究所檚 Dan Chetner.

害羞草研究所淭o be the coach is really exciting. It害羞草研究所檚 an honour,害羞草研究所� said Chetner, who most recently earned a silver medal at the B.C. Summer Games as coach and won a provincial A2 championship to go with a national bronze medal with Team B.C. along with his other accomplishments.

害羞草研究所淭he talent pool is very deep and the league is very high level. It害羞草研究所檚 the highest level of lacrosse in B.C. for kids that age. These are the kids that go on to play junior A lacrosse, and onto the professional lacrosse leagues.

害羞草研究所淭o have the opportunity to coach a group of athletes like that, and to see them continue to develop as lacrosse players and give them an opportunity to continue on at that highest level is really exciting,害羞草研究所� Chetner continued.

Chetner was selected to coach the team by Wild governor/general manager Martin Gardner.

When initially approached, Chetner thought the team was never going to happen.

Chetner said in the past there has been talk of a regional team, but nothing came of it.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 almost shocking that it actually happened,害羞草研究所� said Chetner.

害羞草研究所淲hat I害羞草研究所檝e seen of the whole process, Martin Gardner has been fantastic in putting a proposal together.

害羞草研究所淢aking the right contacts and doing it the right way, really putting together a strong proposal.害羞草研究所�

The Wild will compete against a variety of Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island teams with the season set to open in April.

With approximately 120 eligible lacrosse players throughout the Interior, the Wild is positioned to become a successful organization on and off the floor and will compete at the highest level possible for years to come.

The first camp is scheduled to be held at Armstrong害羞草研究所檚 Hassen Memorial Arena on Feb. 19.