North Florida Lacrosse Coaches Association hosts All-Star game

JACKSONVILLE — Max Van Arsdale and other local lacrosse coaches have been discussing starting a coach’s association for about a year now.

Finally, the Bartram Trail head boy's coach decided to do something about it.  

“There was a lot of interest but no one had taken the step to send the email to do it,”  he said. “I sent out the email.” 

This year, local lacrosse coaches finally started their long-awaited nonprofit coach’s association to grow interest and support for lacrosse in North Florida. The association held its first event Thursday night — a high school senior All-Star game. 

The two main goals of the association, called the North Florida Lacrosse Coaches Association (NFLCA), are to unify coaches and create opportunities to recognize young athletes. Any lacrosse coach in the North Florida region is eligible to become a member, whether they coach high school, youth or club. 

The association’s inaugural high school senior All-Star game was its first event that recognized talented lacrosse players in North Florida. It will also observe outstanding members of the lacrosse community through awards and all-county teams. 

Bartram Trail senior Jesse Frost said lacrosse programs like the association helped him mature and build lifelong friends. The future University of North Florida student said it felt great to be playing again with familiar faces. 

Donations were made to the association funded All-Star game. Donations will also fund coach and referee training and beginner clinics for players. 

Bolles senior Jack Mulvey was thrilled to be a part the All-Star event. The game will be motivation for younger players to elevate their skills to make the All-Star team, said Mulvey, who plans to join Clemson’s club lacrosse team. 

Van Arsdale hopes the All-Star seniors will tell their friends about the game to encourage motivation and enthusiasm among younger lacrosse players. 

“It’s exciting,” he added. “It’s been a long time coming.”