There hasn't been much time off for Sarnia's Kyle Jackson since completing his first season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), and that's alright by him.
Jackson has been splitting time Major Series Lacrosse's (MSL) Six Nations Chiefs and the Major Lacrosse League's (MLL) Boston Cannons. For the most part, the two schedules allow him to play box lacrosse through the week, and fly out to join his field lacrosse team on the weekend.
"It's been incredible so far, I get to play the game that I love everyday, I have absolutely no complaints," he says.
Although, Jackson does admit the workload can be demanding on the body.
Jackson celebrates a goal with the Boston Cannons (Photo by Linehan Photography)
"I've had a couple injuries here and there, but I think that's just the higher powers telling me a need a little bit of a rest with all the chaos going on," says Jackson.
"With all the technology and sports medicine, we have so many resources that helps us get back to 100% and stay healthy. Fortunately I'm not living 100 years ago where it was a long process to come back from any injury, now I just take a couple rest days, do the necessary rehab and get back at it."
He's not alone, as several other lacrosse players also go back and forth between the two summer leagues while preparing for the NLL season to start back up. To him, that's what makes the sport so special.
"You really live two separate lives, you work your job during the day and head to the rink at night. There's a lot more training and preparation that goes into it now, you use to just show up and play," says Jackson. "It's a great thing for the game, but hopefully one day we'll be able to call it our number one job and that's it, but for now it's kind of crazy with some guys working on Wall Street or working big jobs in Toronto, then they go play lacrosse when their work day is over."
With more lacrosse games being shown on national television in Canada and the United States, and the MLL even broadcasting some of their games on Twitter, Jackson says he's proud to be a part of growing the game he's played since he was 3 years old.
Jackson in action with the NLL's Rochester Knighthawks. (Photo by Ward Laforme Jr)
"It's been incredible seeing the growth of all these leagues, college lacrosse is on the rise. The sport itself is growing and that's tremendous to see, hopefully eventually it becomes one of those premier sports that everyone pays attention to," he says. "We're slowly making our way there but you have to start somewhere, and it's just awesome to be apart of."
He says more Canadians have ventured into the MLL this year because of the intrigue of the World Championships in August.
Jackson was named the the National Lacrosse Leagues All-Rookie team following his freshman season with the Rochester Knighthawks.