Oceanport Trying To Create Youth Lacrosse Program

By Christopher Sheldon

A group of Oceanport residents are looking to create a youth lacrosse league for borough children and youths from surrounding towns.

According to a survey put out by those trying to organize the league, the program would initially be open to boys from grades 1 through 6 from Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, West Long Branch, and Sea Bright. Eventually the league would include boys in 7th and 8th grade and a girls lacrosse program. 

The program would tentatively be called the Oceanport Shore Youth Lacrosse Association (OSYLA) and begin in the spring of 2014 and possibly offer a fall instructional clinic in 2013. 

"The 1st and 2nd grade program would be a weekly instructional program, require full protective equipment, and serve to teach the fundamentals in a fun-filled atmosphere," the survey states.

The 3rd and 4th grade team and the 5th and 6th grade team would practice twice per week and have games on Sundays competing against teams from other towns/communities with similar age and skill levels.
 
The cost to register children for the league will depend on whether coaches are outsourced or come from volunteers in the community. Participants would be required to have their own equipment (stick, helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and gloves) plus a mandatory $25 membership with US Lacrosse that would serve as insurance.

A meeting was held this week in Oceanport to discuss the infrastructure of the league including personnel, sponsors and website development, according to a post on the Oceanport Residents Facebook page.