Doc's NYC Lacrosse

Director's Newsletter

August 25, 2007 

I hope you are enjoying the final days of summer and maybe getting in some final lacrosse catches on the beach or up in the country.   

Fall is upon us and Doc’s NYC Lacrosse is proud to announce its 2007 Fall Lacrosse clinic series.  The clinics will take place on September 16, 23, 30, and October 14.  Highlighting this year will be special instruction at two of the four clinics from former Division I college players and current professional players.  Further details and registration can be found on our Website:  www.docsnyclacrosse.org.  We would also appreciate you spreading the word to new families to try us out.  Many kids are experiencing lacrosse in summer camps for the first time.  Doc’s NYC Lacrosse continues to offer the most comprehensive program for youth lacrosse in the City. 

If 2006-7 is any indication, we should have another great year in 2007-8.   Our league grew in each age category during the 2007 spring season.  Leading the way were the Girls (a record 82 players on 3 teams), K-2 Boys (45 players, up from 24 the year before), and the 3-4 Boys (52 players, up from 33 the year before).  Our Boys 5-6 group was able to have two separate teams and coaching staffs.  Our Boys 7-8 group had a number longtime veterans mixed with new players, showing you can start playing at any age and make a contribution.  All our teams played in a record number of tournaments and jamborees in addition to their regular head to head match-ups.  I am very proud to say we have earned much respect for how our teams play and the respect we have for the officials.  We must continue to build upon this.

I am so grateful for the wonderful job each of our coaches performed last year.  They balanced our growth challenges with making sure everyone received solid instruction.  We are not always perfect, but we will continue to focus on teaching solid lacrosse fundamentals, providing balanced (as humanly possible) playing time, and where appropriate, maintaining a high level of competitiveness within the spirit of teamwork and honoring the game.  Most importantly, I believe our coaches exude the love of the game that makes lacrosse such a special team sport. 

Assisting our dedicated coaches in Spring 2007 was a record number of team parents who were enormously helpful in creating a sense of cohesion within the Doc’s NYC Lacrosse program.  Their commitment toward helping with uniform distribution, welcoming new players, and all the communication/logistics required during the season was key part to our success last year. 

One of the key challenges for 2007-8 and beyond will be our need to find more field space in a tightening market.  With the anticipated closing of Randall’s Island in November, the demand will get even more intense among all sports for fields, especially in Manhattan.  It is anticipated that our field costs will go up as we seek to use other fields in the outer boroughs.  Riverdale Country School remains our official home.  We are extremely lucky to get the school’s cooperation and support for using their facility.  However, please be ready to travel more during the spring (sites are being worked on in Brooklyn and further up into the Bronx).  Also, if within their capacity, we will be asking registering families to make additional contributions that would go toward anticipated higher field costs, more tournament play appearances, and improved first aid supplies.

Even with all the challenges, Doc’s NYC Lacrosse will continue to grow the game of lacrosse in New York City.  Despite no longer having our own children in the program, Gav Pasternak and I look forward to another great year of lacrosse with all of you. 

Yours in lacrosse,

Mat Levine 
Co-Founder, Co-Director