Parents –  It was communicated to me that there have been a number of questions concerning a disparity between the boys and girls program in terms of activities, events and league communication which I would like to address.  The email is being sent to every current girls parent in our program.

It is my preference and desire to have parity between the two programs.  While I admittedly know less about the actual girls game, myself and the board have always tried to provide an = experience for all youth players in RLA.  I believe there were questions and concerns voiced around the lack of girls participation in Lacrosse weekend, the fact that we are not having a girls shootout again in 2013 and there appears to be no local girls summer camp.  I will address each issue below.

Girls Shootout - About 5 year ago there was an attempt to put on a girls tournament in Robbinsville.  The event was planned teams were invited and the event took place.  Repeated attempts were made to secure  volunteers to help run this event with a very poor turnout.  As a result too much work fell on just a few people and while the event took place it lost a fair amount of money so the board decided discontinued it.  Last year it was suggested that we could secure sufficient volunteers to make this event successful which I fully supported.  The 2013 Registration volunteer request  form was updated to include support for a girls tournament.  A RLA member volunteered to run the event and I personally spent numerous hours developing an event plan for a girls shootout in 2013.  An event like this needs to be developed and organized in January/February to ensure it will be successful.  I attempted on multiple occasions in January and February to plan this event – unsuccessfully.  Only 15 people volunteered at signups for the girls shootout, far short of what we will need.    For those who attended the parent meeting in February I again communicated the need for volunteers in order to put on a Girls Shootout in 2013 and received no responses.  I made a decision before the start of our season along with the board that we would again not have a Girls Shootout which was very disappointing to me.  It has been commented  that I may not have emailed the girls program to request their support.  While I cant correct that for 2013 I certainly will start early for 2014.

I am OFFICIALLY EMAILING THE ENTIRE GIRLS PROGRAM REQUESTING VOLUNTEERS FOR 2014 GIRLS SHOOTOUT.  Please click on this link to sign up. http://rla.bringit.bz/public/6f63a1

I again have a different parent willing to run this event for next year.  What I need is 40-50 volunteers to step up to make this event happen.  If you decide to stay with RLA in 2014 I will send a request out early in the new year to those who sign up on this link to request your support and invite you to a planning meeting where we can discuss how to piggyback off of the boys shootout and organize a girls shootout.

Lacrosse Weekend - For those who attended this first ever event in 2012 it was a great day with both girls and boys team playing a common opponent and the same opponent township as the high school teams were playing.  I had every intention to have both boys and girls teams participate in this event in 2013.  While I thought it was clear to the HS coaches that we were looking for a day ( preferably a Friday or Saturday night where  both boys and girls teams would schedule a home game so we could co-ordinate this same event.  Unfortunately this did not occur and boys and girls schedules were set long before I knew they were not aligned and had not provided for a common home game.    I will again reach out to the High school coaches to try to ensure that there is better co-ordination to hopefully make this a total program event in 2014.  Sherrie Johnson has worked out with the High School Coach to organize a “Girls night Out” on May 13th were the all RLA Girls are invited to the HS to show there support for the Girls High School Program.  Similar to the boys event the girls will have a fastest shot contest with prizes for the winners.  While I thank Sherrie for making this happen for the girls it is our intention in the future to combine these games and plan a single event ( like 2012).

Given that there was not going to be a girls game on May 2nd I didn’t email or invite any of the girls to participate that evening.  I believe several girls coaches may have alerted parents to the event but I didn’t plan nor expect for girls to attend as there was no HS girls game to support.

I thank Sherrie for being able to still organize this event and hope all of you will come out  to Girls Night Out at RHS on May 13th.

Summer Lacrosse –  RLA doesn’t currently run a summer lacrosse program for boys or girls.   I receive numerous emails asking for suggestions for camps. Robbinsville township in conjunction with the HS boys Lacrosse coach are running a first ever boys summer lacrosse camp.  RLA has nothing to do with this camp other than support our RLA boys attending.  Girls camps are offered by Turnpike lacrosse and at West Windsor.  I am sure if you Google these names you can find the info you need for girls camps.  I was asked by Robbinsville Township to post the boys lacrosse camp on our website which I am happy to do.  If the township of Robbinsville or the High school girls coach intends to run a local girls lacrosse camp I will certainly post that info on our site as well and support our RLA girls attending.

I hope this gives you a bit more context around these events and why they have transpired the way they have.  I ask that the girls parents please continue to support the 2013 Shootout.   The money earned from this event helps to pay for our program expenses- boys and girls alike.

I hope we have a significant increase in girls parents that are willing to

- become board members

- organize an support a girls shootout

- become a coach.

If you are not happy with how things are run you always have the opportunity to give me your feedback.  Several girls parents have approached me this year and we have had great dialog with good suggestions which we have implemented. If you truly want to make change in RLA please volunteer to become a board member.  Our current board is very mature!! It is likely a number of them will be stepping down soon.   The future of our program depends upon you becoming more involved.

Good luck the rest of this season and I look forward to hopefully seeing many of you at Girls night out on May 13th, the Boys 2013 Shootout on May 18th and the season end picnic on June 2nd.

Thank you,

Michael Langford

RLA President

Parents,

I have been asked by numerous parents regarding Summer lacrosse opportunities for your sons to continue to improve and work on their game.  I wanted to alert you to a camp that our High School coach will be hosting this summer that you might want to consider.  The finishing touches are just about completed but you will find some preliminary detail below on what you can expect.  Please let Don know if you have any question and I hope many of you take advantage of this opportunities.

I am also working to put together a a camp this summer (in the evening) the details of which will be issued shortly.

Mike Langford

Robbinsville Twp Lacrosse Camp

This camp is for ALL Male Players from the grades 3-8.

Perfect for players of all abilities. The goal of the camp is to develop the fundamental skills for youth lacrosse players to develop into successful lacrosse players at the next level. The camp will offer a variety of teaching and playing opportunities that will help players learn the game while having fun.

July 22nd-26th – 9am-3pm @ Robbinsville Community Park

Players are responsible for their equipment including:

Stick,Helmet, Gloves, Shoulder Pads, Jock w Cup, Arm Pads and Mouth Guards. Goalies: Throat Guard, Chest Protector, Helmet, Goalie Stick, Gloves, Jock w Cup

Daily Schedule

9am – Warm-Up and Camp Stretch

9:20am – Stick Work

9:40am – Water

9:55am – Station Work

11:00am – Games

12:00pm – Lunch

1:00pm – Camp Activity

1:30pm – Team Skill Presentation and Drills

2:00pm – Afternoon Games

Camp Director – Don Green

Don is currently the head lacrosse coach at Robbinsville High School. He is in his 7th year of coaching high school lacrosse in New Jersey with previous stops at Moorestown, Montgomery and The Hun School of Princeton. Don has also coached with Tri-State Lacrosse where he was the Assistant Director of High School All Stars and the Director of Camps and Clinics. Don also spent time as the Director of Operations for the New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse.

See events page for updated schedule

An updated schedule for all teams has been posted on the Events page.  Please be sure to check back occasionally as the schedule will be updated as changes occur.

March 3RD 1ST GROUP  PRACTICE  RHS Turf

• 10 am-Noon U15 girls / 7/8 grade boys (half field)
• Noon-2pm  U13 girls / 5/6 grade boys (half-field)
• 2pm-4pm U11 girls / 3/4 grade boys (half-field)

March 10th 2ND GROUP PRACTICE

• 10am-Noon  U11 girls / 3/4grade boys (half field)
• Noon-2pm  U15 girls / 7/8 grade boys (half-field)
• 2pm-4pm U13 girls / 5/6 grade boys (half-field)

March 24th LITTLE LAXERS 1ST PRACTICE  RHS Turf
4:30pm-6:30pm   Parents asked to participate

Coaches will contact player who are on their team and provide specifics on Practice and Game schedules.

Registration for the 2013 Robbinsville spring season is now closed.
Please contact John Verry or Mike Langford if you have any questions.

We will begin our Winter Sawmill Clinic this coming Sunday, February 27th. We will run a total of 3 sessions. These sessions are meant for players who have never played the sport before or have completed only on year of experience. Each session will be different and will cover basic aspects of the game of lacrosse including, cradling, passing, catching, scooping, stick checking and shooting. You have paid for and it is recommended that you attend all 3 sessions. For those who have more than one year experience and signed up — you are welcome as well but understand we will be covering basic fundamentals of the game.

For those who are on the fence for the spring season and have signed up for the clinic please note the refund policy below. The first week is an opportunity for you to see if your son may enjoy the sport before having to make an investment in equipment.

For those who have questions on equipment, I will be available to answer your questions before and between session to help guide you with this purchase. I have also provided some helpful info and links below.

Session Dates*
January 27
February 10
February 24
*We are skipping weeks between each clinic to accommodate Superbowl Sunday and President’s Weekend.

Location:
All sessions will be held at the Sawmill YMCA located on 185 Sawmill Road, Hamilton NJ, 08560

Times
Grades 1-4 = 6:00pm — 7:15pm (We will use this time between session to answer questions, provide recommendations)
Grades 5-8 = 7:30pm – 8:45pm

What to bring
Session 1 – All you need is a lacrosse stick ( I will have a few extra to lend if necessary) and mouthpiece (mouth piece must be able to attach to a helmet) and a protective cup.
Session 2 & 3 – Bring all equipment you have. (I may have some extra equipment, you can still participate if you dont bring equipment but will be limited in some of the drills we will run) The most important piece of equipment ( other than your stick) will be the helmet please do your best to have a helmet by our second session.

What to Wear
We are indoors playing on a gym floor surface — please wear sneakers and wear either shorts or sweats.

Coaches
Myself and several of our spring season coaches will be running these clinics.

Parents
There are stands and you are welcome to stay ( at your own risk). These are new players and the ball will have a tendency to fly in all directions. We will use soft balls for some drills but others will use regulation balls that if you get hit by one will hurt. There is a lobby for those who prefer to stay but stay out of the line of fire!!

Contact
We will use email as our method of contact in case of snow or any other reason we would need to change times or cancel a session. Please check your email especially on Sunday’s.

REFUND POLICY*
100% refund on registration and uniform on or before February 1, 2013
50% refund on registration and uniform after February 1, 2013
No refunds after February 28, 2013

* Exception – Any player on waitlist will be given a 100% refund for registration and uniform if a roster spot cannot be provided.

No refunds can be given on US lax membership or Sawmill Clinic.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS – RLA makes no profit on these recommendations. This is just my personal experience for quality equipment at a reasonable price. There are many options this is just two that I like.
Required Equipment
-Helmets – The most important piece of equipment you will own. Make sure it fits snug and sits properly on the head. With your chin strap adjusted the helmet should not slide when turning your head and should not have open space in the cheeks area.
Recommendation – Cascade CS (1-4) Grade or Cascade CPV( Comes in different sizes) Scarlet Red or White are ok. 7th/ 8th Graders and going to Robbinsville HS. – I recommend you purchase a Cascade Pro7 – see me if interested.

- Shoulder Pads/Arm Pads / Gloves – Lots of good products ( STX, Brine, Warrior, Maverick, Adidas) are all acceptable brands that make good quality beginner to advanced player protective gear. Most come with adjustable straps to customize your fit.
Recommendation – For beginners 1-4 grade I suggested “starter sets that provide all this equipment in one package. It is usually size based and is the best value for your money. This is entry level to intermediate level equipment which is fine for this level of play.

- Lacrosse Stick – Same manufacturers listed above all provide beginner options that help to make catching and scooping a little easier. All standard sticks come the same size ( Defensive poles — see me first). Most now include sticks in starter sets which may be of interest to those who have nothing. Mesh is the material at the top of the stick that forms the “basket” that enables you to pass and catch. Most beginner sticks come with soft mesh — which I suggest is good for our very youngest players as it help to facilitate catching. The downside is that by midseason you will likely want to switch to Hard mesh. Hard mesh provides for a longer life, better for passing but more difficult to adjust to as a new player as it take time to “break in”. If you purchase a stick with hard mesh it is very easy to tell as you will find it difficult to move the pocket/”basket” when you shake the stick. There are many acceptable methods to soften hard mesh sticks including, Warm water, Shaving Cream, Hair conditioner, Fabric softener. This is probably my preferred option vs. soft mesh but either works and is fine for a beginner. If you purchase a stick and hate the mesh there are stick stringer in Hamilton and Princeton who will re-string your stick for $20-30 dollars so if you dont like your mesh you can change it without having to purchase another new stick.

Mouthpiece/Cup – Mouthpiece must be able to attach to your helmet-I suggest you purchase 2 as you cant play without one and the kids lose them all the time. Cup – Personal preference — nothing unique for lacrosse.

Footwear – Cleats-either molded or screw in are fine, soccer, football cleats are all fine. No metal spikes or screw in cleats with exposed metal is allowed. Many companies now have ” lacrosse” specific cleats. I really dont see the difference but they are perfectly fine as well as reasonably priced. These shoes are prefect for BOTH grass and Turf fields we will be playing on this spring.

Optional equipment-
- Rib guards-Recommended for Attackmen and Midfielders-Football rib guards can be used

All registrations received after 1/11/12 will be wait-listed as we have reached our capacity. Please feel free to sign up — but a slot is not guaranteed.  If a slot does not open — we will refund your registration fees.