Key for Growth
Recreational lacrosse clubs are crucial to the foundation of lacrosse in Wisconsin and that that we all need to support these community lacrosse clubs. The spring recreational team is where players learn to play, have fun with friends, and expand the number of people with the lacrosse community. At Pirate Lacrosse, we understand the critical role these organizations play and we work to make these organizations stronger. Without community lacrosse clubs, we would not have lacrosse in Wisconsin and privately run travel teams would not exist.
The recreational lacrosse clubs are the main drivers in growing the sport. Our sport took a large hit from COVID last year and enrollment this spring is down almost everywhere. Taking players away from these community clubs to play on travel teams will not help to grow the sport but will have the opposite effect. Companies like ours benefit from a strong community lacrosse base.
Starting Point for New Players
The recreational lacrosse club provides the entry point for new players. At the youth level, playing with friends is important; so many times a new player is introduced into the club by an existing player. This is only possible because the recreational lacrosse club takes in anyone who wants to play and the experienced player and his friend will play together. If the experienced player is on a travel team, this is less likely to happen. This is how the spring lacrosse clubs grow the game – one player at time. Taking players to play on a travel team at this stage disrupts this organic growth to the detriment of everyone.
Everyone Gets Involved
These lacrosse club provide an opportunity for parents to volunteer as coaches, managers, scorekeepers and many other roles that help to build community support for the team. Many times these are the same people and the players stays together through high school. The more people that get involved, the more knowledgeable they are about the game, the better for our sport. You can outsource lacrosse training, but you can’t outsource community spirit.
The spring leagues provide an entry point to umpires and referees. Our officiating organizations provide a great opportunity for existing players and interested adults to make some extra money and develop as an official. With experience these new officials get the skills to officiate high school games in later years. The spring recreational league is vital to having the officials we need to support the game.
Building the Lacrosse Community
There is really no substitute for the recreational spring teams and their ability to build our lacrosse community so that the game will continue to grow and flourish. Youth players should learn to love the game, have fun, get their friends involved, and pass it forward to the younger players. This is a great way to give to your community and be a part of something bigger than yourself. We need to look after the game and support our local recreational lacrosse clubs and not take this for granted.
If you are a player, play for your local lacrosse club; you can play on a travel team in the summer. If you are a parent, volunteer and get involved in the sport. If you want to make some extra money, become a referee or umpire . Bottom line, get involved and support our local recreational lacrosse clubs and keep growing the game.