It’s a big transition, but at the same time it was the natural next step for Trey Christiensen moving into the head coaching role of the Red Deer Rampage lacrosse team.
Christiensen was a player and assistant coach with the junior B team last season, but now at 22 he’s excited to step in to the new role.
He credited the Red Deer Rampage lacrosse program with giving him the skills and tools to be a coach at a young age.
“It shows well on the program that a young guy like myself can come in,” said Christiensen. “We have good leadership in our room. We have a lot of good high character guys.”
Heading up the Rampage, the team just went through tryouts and began practicing with its final roster on April 26. Christiensen sees speed and potential in the team.
“Our core are younger guys, but they’re ready to step into the holes other guys have left. It’s a really solid core,” said Christiensen. “If everybody buys in, we’re looking at a potential province winning team this year.
“We could have the fastest team in the league this year, we’ll be utilizing that. I think we have a bunch of disciplined and intelligent guys, they’re all there for the team and there’s not a lot of selfishness.”
Two seasons ago, the Rampage won a provincial title and Christiensen was a part of that team. Last season, the Rampage finished first in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League Junior B Tier I north division with 15 wins, five losses and one tie. Christiensen said it was a transition year for the team.
“It’s a young group this year so you never know what could happen,” said Christiensen. “But the potential is definitely there for us to take it this year.”
Christiensen has coached in some capacity for a number of years with the Innisfail minor lacrosse program.
“All throughout playing I’ve done a lot of coaching and it got kind of exhausting,” said Christiensen. “I’ve done just playing, and I’ve done playing and coaching. I’m actually pretty excited to just do coaching for a year.
“Your perspective changes when you’re coaching, it’s a totally different outlook. It kind of helps you understand everything you’ve been taught a bit better.”