This is an open invitation to anyone that lives in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Clive, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Bondurant, Grimes, Windsor Heights, Carlisle, Norwalk, Indianola, or anywhere else in the metro area to learn to play the game of lacrosse!
On the heels of the Register's Article (3/6/09), I have had some questions about playing lacrosse in Central Iowa. Let me assure all of you that the Central Iowa Lacrosse Association welcomes new players with open arms. Experience and skill level are unimportant to us because we realize that the game of lacrosse has been pretty much nonexistent in Iowa until now (aside from some colleges in the state having club teams). There is no need to feel intimidated; most players are eager to pass on their knowledge to new people because we love the game.
To ease your fears, the first time I really tossed a ball with some one that knew what he was doing was our first Toss Around on January 31, 2009. I came in only having watched college, Major League Lacrosse, and National Lacrosse League games on TV. I also came in with some extra weight and nonexistent physical conditioning. Picking up the basics of throwing and catching was fairly easy; it's about the same motion as any other sport. Continuing to play is the best way to get better.
To participate all I ask is that you come join us some time. Then pick yourself up a ball and a stick and come on back! A decent stick can usually be purchased online for around $30-40; sometimes retailers will have special deals to make it even cheaper. Until the end of Valley's season (last home game on May 9, 2009), we plan to only have recreational and non contact games in an effort to introduce the sport to new players. After that we may go ahead with a recreational men's pick up league which will require at least gloves and helmets (although we still plan on allowing hockey gear to be used). The Central Iowa Lacrosse Association is open to anyone in high school (with parental consent & including ninth grade) and older. We play men's lacrosse (although we are not opposed to starting/helping with a women's program if there are experienced players in the area) and are seriously interested in pursuing a second high school club team for the 2010 season.
To build a second high school club team, we would need at least 25-30 interested players that will be in high school (9-12 grades) during the 2009-2010 school year. Ideally we would have an agreement with an area school; the Valley/Waukee club is not officially affiliated with Valley but has access to their facilities, name, and logo. Valley even helped with the practice and game uniforms. I do have a couple of ideas to circumvent the need to be involved with a specific school/district, but we would all be more comfortable with a "sponsoring" school. If you do not attend Valley or Waukee but are interested in getting a club team (including students from other schools) together, speak to your school's athletic director for more information and have him/her contact me.
We would also need a few more coaches with some experience. The best way to get experience is to play. Luckily the Central Iowa Lacrosse Association is open to any and all adult players. I had very little lacrosse experience prior to joining Valley as an assistant, but we are willing to teach new coaches and players the game over the summer. Since this is not a varsity or state sanctioned sport, you do not need to go through special certification courses. The qualifications to coach club lacrosse are basically the same as any other club sport. Contact me immediately if you might be interested in coaching (volunteer) or playing for a second metro high school team.
Don't forget about the planned adult travel team! Get playing right away to determine if playing at a higher level might be something you are interested in. Right now the Des Moines Demons are trying to determine their logo. Vote in the poll today!
