By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 7/11/13
Connecting a youth program and a high school’s athletic program is important for success in any sport. This is what Boyertown High (PA) rising senior Brock Johnson tried to accomplish when he planned and ran the 1st Annual BASH/BOLT Lacrosse Clinic.
Johnson, with the help of 22 other Boyertown players and one already playing in college, ran a two-day clinic this week for 43 boys in grades K through 8. All the players are involved in the local youth program, the Boyertown Optimist Lacrosse Team.
The clinic focused on fundamentals for all players. Middle school players worked on more advanced skills such as slides and skills related to what high school players learn, while younger players worked on catching, throwing and ground balls in every drill. Also, there were speed shot and accuracy contests.
Johnson said the major goal was to push every kid to their full potential. He said that several new players came out.
“We taught fundamentals for each position,” said Johnson, who also worked with the president of the BOLT in organizing the event. “I think it went really, really well.
“A lot of the kids had come out to watch us play during the season on ‘BOLT Night’ so we knew some of them. Some of them are younger brothers of our players.
“It was great watching a guy like Tyler Fuhrman – who is going to Stevenson and is the best attackman we have – and our goalie Austin Mutter (committed to Eastern) teaching kids. These are great players and the kids look up to us.”
“Plus, we had the speed shooting contest. Just to get them more fired up, we did one between us first.”
Johnson plans to do the clinic every year. This year he had to charge $35 to help his high school team’s fundraising; in the future he plans to make them free.
“I am looking to play at the next level and hopefully bring more information back in the future,” he said. “I want the clinic to be a really big success.”
Johnson hopes one day his clinics help bring Boyertown its first Pioneer Athletic Conference championship.
“Being a part of this is a great experience,” he said. “I enjoyed every second of the planning and the clinic itself. My main goal of the clinic was to strengthen the Boyertown program as a whole.
“For this reason I broke our last huddle on ‘Family’ because that’s exactly what we are. After I graduate I want to come back to a Championship games where Boyertown is holding up the trophy. I want to thank every one who helped out, the entire staff and especially my parents, sisters and brother.”
To submit a story and photos for our “Grow the Game” feature, e-mail us at golax@toplaxrecruits.com
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