Dear Bethel Lacrosse Club Families

Dear Bethel Lacrosse Club Families,

I am drafting this letter of intent in order to better clarify my hopes for the future of this club and if you are willing, my role therein. A few years ago, I was approached by several people to help lead a new start-up lacrosse club that was branching off a very well established club, Puyallup Lacrosse, where our kids had happily played for years. I was reluctant at first, since after having been a part of a church start-up and then a youth football club, I knew the pain involved and time it would take away from my own family. However, there is nothing more exciting than seeing kids play a game and adults come together in community with one another. So, I agreed to serve and have been honored to do so for the last couple of years. I have been truly blessed to work alongside the current board and serve our families as we try to grow this game and get as many kids playing as possible. It has not been without some hiccups and growing pains, but such is life when you are the new kids on the block. During this time, I have also had the privilege of serving the greater South Sound Lacrosse League as the Vice-President. It’s been a blast to not only represent our club, but get to know and work alongside other clubs in the area. Those relationships have been a true asset to a club as new as ours and I would hope we can continue to build them as we move forward.

On that note, as we continue to grow, my hope for our club is to have at least one team at each level from 3rd and 4th grade boys all the way to High School Varsity Boys next season. Additionally, I have been working with our local HS Girls Lacrosse Coaches and am confident we will finally be able to offer a full compliment of Girl’s teams from 3-8th grades. This would finally get a stick in the hands of our girls before they hit High School and allow them to fully develop their skills! So, be on the lookout for some coming announcements and if you are interested in helping, please let us know.

Lastly, I felt you should know “why” I choose to serve you and your family. As much as I want us to experience lacrosse together, I really want us to build the kind of community we want our kids to grow up in. By stressing character development along with fundamental skills, I hope our kids become more resilient, polite, respectful and coachable young men and women. I hope they learn that being a part of something bigger than themselves is awesome and they learn to give back to their communities as they mature and grow older themselves. Wins and losses take care of themselves, but we must remain vigilant and focused as we try to model a love of our teammates and respect of our opponents. It’s a great game folks, but an even better life together! Go ‘Hawks!

Michael Audas

President Bethel Blackhawks