The weekend of January 8th started auspiciously as the Nexstar Showcase was cancelled after Palm Beach County took over Caloosa Park in Boynton Beach for a Covid testing location. The Florida Youth Lacrosse Foundation was able to go ahead with their annual Goalie Clinic at Patch Reef Park in Boca Raton, with only a few cancellations.

But the January 15th weekend annual Foundation event, the Florida Lacrosse Classic, was also cancelled due to many players and referees from around the nation having to decide on travel during the Omicron spread.

That was a particularly hard hit for me too, as I always look forward to an event where my fellow Hobart alums, as well as many others that I have gotten to know over the years, compete in age groups for their version of the national championships. It also served as a major fundraiser for the Foundation and given it is now the second year of cancellation it certainly hurt as far as providing support where needed in the lacrosse community. If you have a few dollars to spare I’m sure they would appreciate a donation.

So, let’s at least talk about the Goalie Clinic since it did run and there was a fun atmosphere, as well as a lot of knowledge to be learned, by a group of instructors and young goalies grateful for a chance to get outside and gear up for the season, which is rapidly coming.

Long-time director Don Goldstein oversees the event and long-time head coach Sean Quirk (currently of the PLL Cannons franchise) runs the event from the field, with his training methods and instructions providing the overall structure to the event. The event is for both Boys and Girls, and the list of instructors includes current college head coaches, as well as current college goalies, so all facets are covered.

All the drills were greeted enthusiastically, and even though I didn’t ask, I’m sure there were goalies repeating from attending last year and plenty who will come back next year!

For me, events like this are not only watching the next wave coming through but also about catching up with friends in the lacrosse world and looking to make some new ones. And an added bonus of meeting another Statesman! CJ White graduated Hobart last year and it’s always great to make that type of connection.

A shout out to everyone involved and hopefully next year I’ll be writing about three events, not one!