» Media Center » >Martin County School Board Approves Lacrosse in High Schools
August 26, 2009
For Immediate Release
The Martin County School Board Votes Yes to High School Lacrosse
After five years and tireless efforts, high school lacrosse has become a reality in the Martin County School District after a unanimous vote by the School Board on Tuesday, August 18th.. Lacrosse will be played as a varsity sport for girls and boys will be allowed to form club teams - the result of a reversal to an earlier board ruling. Lacrosse is a recognized sport by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and is played in over 40 counties across the state of Florida. All three of the area high schools may begin play in the spring of 2010.
"What a difference an election makes! We are grateful to the leadership of the Martin County School District and School Board members who understood the invaluable staying power of lacrosse. Our efforts were about advancing one of the fastest growing sports in the state of Florida and giving our students an even playing field to compete in our region," stated Diane Kimes, President of Friends of High School Lacrosse for Martin County, a not-for-profit charitable organization formed last year to advance the sport locally and to advocate for the formation of self-funded lacrosse programs in the three area public high schools. "The real work begins as we build girls and boys teams in all three high schools and raise vital funds to support lacrosse."
Grant writing, car washes, fund raisers, and booster programs are all slated to help pay for coaches, uniforms, equipment, transportation and much more for all three high school programs. A goal of $65,000 for the first year has been set to get the programs established. A website, www.martincountylacrosse.org was launched earlier this week to raise awareness and much need funds for high school lacrosse. Sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels and the public is urged to visit the website for details and ways to get involved.
A meeting sponsored by Friends of High School Lacrosse will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 7:00 p.m. at the offices of Dr. Scott Gasioriek's located at 2107 East Ocean Blvd. in Stuart and will feature a presentation on building booster clubs. Leadership from the Jupiter High School Lacrosse Club will provide insight into their successes so that efforts here in Martin County can jump to a fast start.
Students interested in learning more about the game and to sharpen their lacrosse skills are welcome to join The Martin County Pioneer League Lacrosse (MCPL) each Sunday: for boys 5th grade-8th grade from 3pm -5pm and 9th grade thru 12th grade from 5 pm - 7pm at Anderson Middle School, located off Cove Road in Stuart. The girls lacrosse clinic will be held Sunday's from 2 pm - 4:30pm at Hidden Oaks Middle School for 1st grade through high school. New and seasoned players are welcome and there is no cost. All players are welcome at both locations. To play, individuals must bring full gear and proof of US Lacrosse membership. These free clinics end Sunday, Sept. 27.
Christopher Anderson, founder and President of the Martin County Pioneer Lacrosse has championed this cause and has also expressed his thanks to the school district and school board.
"We have a lot to do now to make these programs successful, but regardless of future wins or losses, I will take great joy in seeing our children participate in this truly awesome sport at the high school level. I will look forward to shaking the hand of the first boy or girl student-athlete that achieves collegiate scholarship money. Providing that opportunity has been a key driver in this from the start."
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About Lacrosse
The sport of lacrosse, considered to be America's first sport was born of the North American Indian, is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey. Long sprints up and down the field with abrupt starts and stops, precision passes and dodges are routine in men's and women's lacrosse. Lacrosse is played with a stick, the crosse, which must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. Youth participation in the sport has grown over 500% since 1999 to nearly 250,000. No sport has grown faster at the high school level over the last 10 years. There are now an estimated 200,000 high school players in the U.S. There are more than 500 college club programs, including nearly 200 women's teams that compete at the US Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates level.
For more information or to offer support of lacrosse in Martin County high schools, contact FHSL at 772/285-5298 and leave a message or visit the Martin County Lacrosse website