Seahawks fans will more than likely be following a new sport as the spring season approaches. Boys lacrosse was approved by the Community School District School Committee Feb 25. With the season beginning on March 25, the stipulation for the club sport to begin was that the cost of fielding the team for the first year would need to come from fundraising. Estimates for the costs are just shy of $15,000.

Unbeknownst to all the parents and supporters, a US Lacrosse grant the group was hoping for timed out just over two weeks ago. However, the good news is they received a donation of $10,000.

“We also have a donation to cover the cost of helmets, we have a donation to cover goalie equipment and a couple sticks,” said Haili Hardwick. “Another business donated $500.”

Nothing is final until a couple practices can be held, but a boys lacrosse meeting last week brought 14 student-athletes out to talk. Scott said a total of 17 have signed up for the sport.

Strong numbers have been attributed to a thriving youth program held through Boothbay Region YMCA. Scott has been a coach and supporter since the program started in 2011. “One of the questions I get asked a lot is 'What are these kids going to do once they reach high school?’ That's what we're trying to address.”

The Hardwicks have somewhat of a personal interest in seeing the sport come to BRHS. Their freshman son, Lucas, has been playing since first grade when the youth program began.

Said Scott, “I'm from the area. I was born and raised here, my father was born and raised here. Traditions are very important to me, the school is very important to me … I want my son to represent this community in a sport that he loves. That's my investment in it, but also to all these kids I've been coaching over the years who are coming up through.”

If boys lacrosse can manage fundraising, this will mark the first of two seasons the sport will be in the form of club athletics per Maine Principals Association rules. Also, because club sports are not subject to MPA rules, student-athletes can keep playing a varsity sport while playing lacrosse. Haili explained that the school will start to cover some of the fees during the second season, but not all of them, so the group is hoping to raise enough to carry over into the next season.

Said Haili, “This is so much more than just a sport. This can really help growth in our community, in our school. It just means so much more to progress and to change and to grow.”

Send any donations to: Boothbay Region Education Foundation, 51 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor with the subject boys lacrosse.