Lacrosse on the Rise Locally, Nationally

Westport’s young lacrosse players are gearing up for their biggest season yet, as a surge in popularity has boosted rolls to record levels.

This spring, 250 boys and 130 girls have lined up to participate in Westport PAL Lacrosse games, which start at the end of March.

"We’re getting more and more kids,’’ said Ken Goldberg, president of the boys lacrosse program. "That’s a really exciting thing for the future.’’

The sport’s growth locally mirrors increasing interest nationwide. U.S. Lacrosse, the national governing body, says it is the fastest growing sport in the country and has more than half a million participants.

Goldberg puts the growing appeal  down to the speedy play and action. "It’s a very fast-paced sport,’’ he said. "The kids get to run around and they like the physical nature of it. It combines aspects of lots of different sports.’’

That rising popularity creates a trickle up effect that could be a boon for the high schools teams. The interest has been bolstered in Westport by the success of the Staples High School teams last year. Staples boys team went 18-2 last season and six players proceeded to participate at college level.

"This is creating lots of excitement at the youth level,’’ said Goldberg.

In the first-third grade boys program alone, 82 children have joined, compared with 55 last year. He said often kids join up because they’ve heard about it from friends. "That’s the best way,’’ said Goldberg, who got involved in the sport five years ago when his two children started playing.

Lacrosse for kids has been organized in Westport for 20 years and the program recently became part of Westport Police Athletic League (PAL), which provides financial support and trains coaches on safety and first aid, including concussion awareness.

The program is also closely linked with the lacrosse organization at Staples. Boys off-season training clinics are led by the Paul McNulty, Staples boys varsity coach, and the girls’ program training sessions are run by the Staples girls varsity players.  

Younger players have been training hard through the winter at Staples and at SoNo Field House in Norwalk to prepare for the new season.  Home games will be played primarily at Saugatuck Elementary School. Older players can also participate in travel teams and a SoNo-based league.

With basic equipment costs starting at about $200, and registration and training fees on top of that, it’s more expensive than many other kids’ activities.

Still, Goldberg says, the organization does its best to limit the cost of participating. Equipment exchanges are organized and PAL scholarships are available. "No-one would be denied for financial reasons,’’ he said.

Coach McNulty, who is enjoying his third season at the high school, credits the PAL Lacrosse set-up with significantly bolstering the sport. "We wouldn’t do very well unless we had a strong youth program for getting the kids interested in lacrosse and developing their skills.’’

McNulty said three current Staples seniors have already signed up to play lacrosse at college. The high school boys season begins March 21.