“Wall ball reps can help to develop quick hands and greatly improve your stick skills. The goal is to get comfortable with your stick.” – Taylor Cummings, three-time Tewaaraton Trophy winner and two-time world champion
The Robbinsville Lacrosse Association in Central New Jersey is a well-run youth organization that has steadily and effectively served its mission of helping local kids learn and enjoy the game since its launch in 2001.
After starting with two boys’ teams and one girls’ team in that first season, the RLA has now grown to nine teams and well over 200 boys and girls participants, from Pre-K through 8th grade. Over the years, hundreds of boys and girls have come through the program and eventually advanced into high school play.
But despite its successes, the RLA lacked one noteworthy element, brought to the attention of vice-president Thomas Parrott by his 14-year-old daughter, Lynsey, a couple of years ago. They needed a new practice wall.
“She nudged me and it became my pet project,” Parrott said. “I took up the cause because of her interest.”
To be clear, the RLA already had two practice walls, and both were still in use. One is located at the local high school, and one is at Blakely Park, where the RLA’s boys’ teams play their games. Wall practice for lacrosse players is universally recognized as a great way to work on hand-eye coordination, strengthen wrists, and develop lacrosse stick skills.
The void, as Lynsey pointed out, was the absence of a practice wall at Community Park, which is home to the RLA’s girls’ teams.
Parrott got to work to make the wall a reality. Fundraising and acquiring sponsorships became part of his new routine, adding to his primary role of overseeing the RLA’s boys’ division. He viewed the wall project as another way to validate the organization’s commitment to all its members.
“The goal of wall ball is to hit the same exact spot every time. That tells us if we are being accurate.” - TC
“The success of the RLA is because of the great people who donate their time,” said former president Matt Coyle. “It’s a singular purpose to help kids learn the game and love the game and I think that really comes through. Ours is a pretty pure motive to help these kids enjoy and compete in the sport.”
In light of that mission, Parrott wondered how the RLA’s leadership could justify not providing the same resources to its girls’ teams? After all, he believes the lessons go beyond wins and losses. Building a third wall in the community would help to tangibly demonstrate equal support for both boys’ and girls’ teams.
“We’re trying to develop young men and women who embrace good sportsmanship,” Parrott said. “We’re really aiming for more than just winning games. We want everyone to feel included.”
With Parrott spearheading the RLA’s effort, donors were found and contractors were hired. He also served as the liaison in working with the town’s leadership to coordinate the construction process.
The total cost of the project came to about $15,000, with 80-percent of that amount raised through sponsors and community donors. A grant from USA Lacrosse also helped to subsidize the effort.
“We were glad to support this project because, of course, we love the idea of having equity between boys and girls players, but also because of the great community service component that was involved,” said Harry Jacobs, regional director at USA Lacrosse. “It was the right thing to do.”
Once the structure was erected, the final touches, fittingly, came from Parrott.
“I painted it and seal coated it myself,” Parrott said. “It was definitely a labor of love to give the girls’ program the same tools that our boys have.”
The wall made its debut in the fall of 2021, and Parrott is happy to report that it gets a lot of action.
“Our coaches really stress Wall Ball, so that wall is always in use,” he said. “It was all worth it.”
“Don’t worry if you mess up. Stay persistent. That’s the process of learning.” -- TC
