(Active Alex 11/2011 - Full Article)

“Boys’ lacrosse is in a growth phase nationwide right now with boys’ NCAA, high school and youth categories growing faster than any other sport second only to girls’ lacrosse,” says Director of ASA Lacrosse and Cougar Select T.J. Deluca when he sat down recently with Active Alex. Wake County is no exception where lacrosse leagues, instruction, clinics and tournament options abound.

ASA Lacrosse is a great example of the state of our local lacrosse scene. With over 350 boys in their program, it is the largest, oldest and most experienced recreational lacrosse program in our area. “ASA has been offering boys’ lacrosse for Apex, Cary and Morrisville residents for almost 10 years,” says Mr. Deluca.

The middle school club teams (7th & 8th grades) are uniquely designed and very successful. “It is designed to be a feeder program for the local high schools. Players get to know each other and take pride in playing under their middle school’s name and colors.” ASA’s middle school teams include Apex, Davis Drive, Mills Park, Lufkin and Salem, and the division filled for this coming spring within a few hours of registration opening!

Registration for the younger divisions (1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and 5th/6th) was still open as of this writing. ASA Lacrosse offers a balance of quality instruction and competitive play. “ASA Lacrosse wants to run the best program possible,” says Mr. Deluca. “We want kids to learn the game and enjoy playing it, and for our coaches to provide the best instruction.”

If your son hasn’t tried lacrosse and enjoys sports, give it a shot! Lacrosse is a sport that can be picked-up at almost any age because the skill set is similar to those needed in many other sports – hockey, soccer and football, for instance. “It’s a great sport for kids at any age,” says Karen Shamas who serves as coordinator for ASA Lacrosse. “We have lots of 6th and 7th graders come out for the first time as well.”

Last year was the first year ASA offered a 1st/2nd grade program with all protective equipment provided by ASA. It was a great success and will be continued this coming spring so kids (and parents) can try lacrosse without a hefty financial investment.

ASA Lacrosse educates the parents, too, during their Parents Clinic held the first week of practice. “While their sons are practicing, we explain the rules, schedules, positions and realistic expectations of equipment,” says Deluca. “We often tell them that they don’t really need that $300 defensemen’s stick their child is begging for just yet.”

Like many other leagues, ASA Lacrosse is an all-parent run organization that readily accepts help with coaching, organizing and obtaining field space. “We can easily take coaches from other sports with experience educating 25 kids and provide them with the necessary drills to start skill building.”

Alternatively, Cougar Select Lacrosse, travel teams also under the direction of Mr. Deluca, relies on professionals including coaches from local high schools to maintain their competitive edge and win tournaments. With coaches from Apex High School, Panther Creek and Cardinal Gibbons, Cougar Select has been invited to play in the Dick’s Sporting Goods National Tournament of Champions in 2012 after only its fourth season. This spring they will field several U9-U15 teams, and two high school teams. Tryouts for these teams will be in January – check Active Alex for specific dates.

ASA Lacrosse runs recreational leagues only in the spring to encourage kids to play other sports in the fall. “We leave the fall/winter leagues and clinics to Youth Lacrosse Systems (YLS),” says Mr. Deluca who works closely with YLS which runs the Polar Lacrosse Camp and Frozen Finger League. Several other options are available to get your player ready for the spring – just check www.activealex.com under Sports & Activities and Lacrosse for all your options.

And be sure to register for the spring lacrosse season now before it’s too late!

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