Lacrosse is a springtime sport that features a fast pace, field strategy and teamwork, and for more than a decade, the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club has worked to develop the sport of lacrosse in Thurston County. The Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club is particularly dedicated to supporting young athletes, including teams now available from the kindergarten through high school level.
For Young Athletes Who Play Seasonal Sports, Lacrosse Can Be an Ideal Spring Activity
There has been increased enthusiasm for the sport of lacrosse regionally, and over the past year, the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club has been intentional about building a presence in the community. And according to Todd Cutts, president of Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club, the lacrosse season doesn’t tend to conflict with the seasons of other youth sports, like fall football, or winter basketball and the club welcomes young athletes to play other sports throughout the year.
“I play lacrosse to be able to go out, compete and be physical in the spring with some of my best friends,” says Austin, a senior at Olympia High School. In addition to lacrosse, Austin plays varsity football.
Lacrosse may be a fresh hobby for school-age kids to stay active in a team environment. According to Cutts, lacrosse is a cool alternative for young athletes outside of traditionally prominent sport offerings. Some young athletes may also be drawn to lacrosse because it shares a number of elements with other games, including football, basketball and soccer.
“I love lacrosse because I’m always moving and it’s a great way to get my energy out,” says Eero, who is in fourth grade at Lincoln School. “I get to meet new friends and I feel like a warrior in my gear.”
Lacrosse takes place on an outdoor field that features a goalpost on each end, and goalkeepers who try to prevent goals from being scored. According to Cutts, the number of players on the field may vary depending on the age level of the team, but for older age brackets, there are typically three defenders, three midfielders, and three attack players. Key elements of a lacrosse game include scoring goals and retrieving “ground balls,” where athletes use their sticks to gain possession of a ball that has fallen to the ground. And during a game, there are some position players that must stay in certain areas of the field, or risk an offsides penalty.
Lacrosse Clinics in Thurston County
This season, the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club is offering a third-fourth grade team, a fifth-sixth grade team, a seventh-eighth grade team and a high-school level team for boys. For girls, there will be a third-fourth grade team and a fifth-sixth grade team. These teams will play a series of home games and regional away games in Pierce and Lewis counties.
And for the youngest lacrosse athletes, the club is starting a kindergarten through second grade co-ed program. This program will stay local in Thurston County, with condensed team sizes and games taking place on a smaller playing field.
And for young players and families who are curious about lacrosse, the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club is hosting a series of new player fall clinics that are scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 9 and Sunday, December 7 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Olympia High School Auxiliary Field.
Attendees of the new player clinics can register for time slots based on their age group: second grade through sixth grade boys, second grade through sixth grade girls, and seventh grade through high school boys. Clinic attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the sport of lacrosse before the club’s registration deadline, while also participating in a slate of fun drills and activities. There may also be activities hosted by the club’s more experienced high school-level athletes, which will help to further illustrate the sport for potential new players. New player clinics are free to attend and attendees will be able to borrow gear.
Lacrosse often requires the use of padding, gear and other equipment, which can sometimes create a higher barrier for entry into the sport. The Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club Club is committed to making the sport more accessible for athletes and families through a gear loan program, which allows club players season-long access to necessary gear for $50 per season. This program may be especially helpful for new players, as they can become immersed in the sport without the initial financial investment for gear. The club has also established a scholarship program that helps to fund a portion of team registration fees for families in need.
To learn more about the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club, team registration, or for information about upcoming new player clinics on November 9 and December 7, visit the Olympia/Thurston Lacrosse Club website.
