Each April my thoughts inevitably turn to two different things: One- finishing up the current season, and Two- next season.
The kind of experience we have next season largely depends on the momentum that is established now. As we scan the Gulf Coast region we can still see many populated areas that have not yet seen a lacrosse stick in person. Those are the areas we want to attack.
Let's start a little close to home. The Galveston County team has been finally taking the field after several fits and starts, and the results have been improving. They are adding more people each week and look to finish their season in decent fashion. The important thing we have done here is we have gotten people onto a lacrosse field that otherwise would not have.
I have already begun the motions of adding a Pearland team to the mix next season as well. The city is large enough to supprt a club team, and I don't mean simply providing a home field for an Indy like Metro. The entire northern Brazoria County area has over 150,000 people.
Southern Brazoria would be another target worth persuing. We have already gotten a finger hold on an effort in Victoria, which holds great potential as a hub for more distant teams to meet. I would like to establish the same sort of hub in Beaumont, which would provide a meeting spot for Houston teams and those from southern Louisiana.
The great thing about this effort, and the GCLA in general, is that it believes strongly that lacrosse players can be created from scratch. We have proven that time and again. The club level need not exist just for the elite or experienced. If the sport has meant something to you, why then can it not be meaningful for another?
Adult rookies have often proven to be terrific motivators for the sport and very frequently help the lower levels by coaching youth and high school lacrosse. It is the club lacrosse level where these people are discovered.
The GCLA understands exactly what it is, and what it is not. We have been consistent since 1995. There might have been a few hiccups here and there for sure. Nothing is perfect.
However, here we are, about to conclude yet another season. All this despite being wished away by many, slandered by others, targeted for actual destruction by some (LOL- not kidding here!) and undercut by others still.
And guess what? We're getting bigger.
Again, my annual thanks to all those of you who serve the sport and help to make this happen.
Updated: Thursday, 14 April 2011 12:02 PM CDT
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