Recreation Lacrosse May Go Club

The Chatham Lacrosse Club may soon live up to its name.

Chatham Recreation Director Brian McNany said that the Recreation Department and representatives from the lacrosse program have held meetings since last November to discuss the possibility, procedure and a timeline for the program to branch off on its own, similar to the club soccer program Chatham United.

McNany said in his presentation to the Township Committee last Thursday that there are several unresolved questions regarding the program's departure from the "recreation umbrella" to its own entity. Chief among those questions were whether coaches would still need to pass a background check to work with kids in the program, and whether all children in kindergarten through Grade 8 would be able to participate in the program.

"Typically club [athletes] are better athletes. They have more experience, and this is supposed to be a program that all our residents can get into," Committee Member Bill O'Connor said.

Committee Member Kevin Tubbs agreed, saying, "With Chatham United ... we provide an alternative recreational outlet for our children."

McNany said that the intention of the club "is not to exclude anybody. It's a recreational lacrosse program that has a program component in it."

McNany also said that the club intended to continue background checks and CPR training for the coaches, but whereas in the past that information was given directly to McNany and Deputy Director Carol Nauta, along with a small number of administrators in the town, this information would stay within the organization.

There is also a question of insurance coverage for the program. The lacrosse club would be associated with U.S. Lacrosse, which does not offer insurance for children in Grade 2 or younger. Township Administrator Tom Ciccarone said that Chatham Borough had arranged for coverage for that age group and that the issue had been resolved. He did not know, however, whether U.S. Lacrosse offered liability insurance.

Another issue, according to information handed out by McNany to the committee, is the question of field use and equipment. The lacrosse club would pay a fee for using the athletic fields the same way that Chatham United does, but all lacrosse equipment currently belongs to the Recreation Department. This includes balls, sticks, bags, helmets, pads, goals and nets. Right now it is unclear what of this material, if any, the club will be at liberty to use.

McNany said that he would soon arrange a meeting between representatives of the two Chathams, the recreation department and the lacrosse program to sort through these and other questions before any final decision was made.