referee schedules: “MBYLL is really good with communicating via email and through the website. It’s been working out very well for us.”
Not only have the referees noticed a drastic improvement of the MBYLL Jamboree on a yearly basis, but many parents have noticed an improvement in the running of the Jamboree. Chris Doucette, a parent of a Bedford Youth Lacrosse player, noted the organization and use of technology in recent years. “Well it seems like MBYLL has it down to a science now,” he said. Doucette also noted the convenience of having an up-to-date game schedule available: “I went on to the website prior to the Jamboree and everything was all lined up. Time and locations of games were easily accessible to me and they’ve created an app allowing access to Jamboree information from my cellphone.”
Tailgating
During the regular season, teams are used to playing once on game day. Families show up prior to the game and subsequently leave at its conclusion. In fact, one reason why so many parents have fallen in love with the sport of lacrosse is the quickness of the games. Unlike other sports, game lengths usually do not last for more than an hour and a half. However, the Jamboree offers a unique experience to the
players, coaches, and families. At the MBYLL Jamboree, teams are scheduled for three games. In order to give players ample time to rest and recover, these three games are often somewhat spread-out during the day.
Teams have looked at this downtime as an opportunity to socialize and enjoy the company of teammates and friends. Walking through Fort Devens during the Jamboree, almost every town program has created a home base of their own, which includes tents, chairs, food, and beverages. Perhaps most importantly, these tents provide families with an area to socialize, relax, and find some shade for a short while. Some may say the parents enjoy the tent tailgating as much as (if not more than) the players.
Marty Debruin, a coach of the Tyngsboro U13 team, expressed his enjoyment of the tailgating atmosphere: “My favorite part of the Jamboree without a doubt is the tailgating and the kids have a blast. All the parents bring food and drinks, everyone gets together, and it’s a great opportunity for the parents to hang out between games.”
Mike Reardon, who has been returning to the Fort Devens Jamboree for 10 years, and currently coaches in the Natick program, has noticed a big change in how this Jamboree has been perceived over the years. “Programs get more fired-up about this Jamboree now and make it more of a
family event," he said. "Teams get multiple tents, big camp set-ups, and it ends up being a big day for the whole family.” Win or lose, players and families alike can almost certainly guarantee an enjoyable time at Fort Devens filled with friends, family, and some great food.
Coaching Philosophy
While Jamboree games are slightly more abbreviated than regular season games, coaches such as Jay Marino, the Holliston U13 White coach, face the challenge of playing each player as equally as possible: “I really try to focus a lot on equal
playing time as much as possible. Because the
Always a popular attraction, the bouncey obstacle course provides hours of reckless entertainment for those with energy to spare
The Scoop / Summer '15 11