March 13, 2024 at 5:15pm
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Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
This spring, children can experience the joy of playing sports and making new friends in a welcoming environment through lacrosse and soccer leagues at the Northbrook Park District.
“One of the highlights is the opportunity for players to connect with peers from their own school while also making new friends from different schools,” Recreation Supervisor Cameron Edelman said. “Our volunteer coaches are dedicated to ensuring that every child has a fantastic experience within a structured and engaging environment.”
The park district provides training for all volunteer coaches, along with resources to plan practices and stay up-to-date with game rules.
Park district staff meticulously organizes practices and games at its high-quality fields at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, 1750 Techny Road in Northbrook. No tryouts are required. The spring offerings are:
- Coed soccer leagues for children in pre-K through 4th grade from April 6 to June 1. Games are on Saturdays. Families also will be invited to a special soccer jamboree game with a DJ, snacks and raffle prizes.
- Girls’ lacrosse, for beginners and players with minimal experience, from April 16 to May 19. U8 through U14 teams will practice on Tuesdays and play on Sundays.
- Boys’ lacrosse, for players of all levels from 1st through 8th grade, from March 18 to June 9. Practices will be on Mondays and Wednesdays, with games on weekends. This is a local traveling league.
Parent Peter Becker, who doesn’t live in Northbrook, said his children Sadie, 8, and Thomas, 10, have had such wonderful experiences playing lacrosse at the park district that he’s made it a point to share that with others.
“I have been super impressed with the family-oriented nature of the program and all the coaches and parents,” said Becker, who also is a lacrosse coach. “I enroll my kids in the Northbrook lacrosse programs because of the power of the experiences and the overall structure of them. They have been excellent.”
Northbrook parent Anna Pham agreed, saying both her children have had really positive experiences in park district leagues. Her 7-year-old son has been playing soccer since he was in pre-kindergarten, and his older sister has taken part in the basketball, volleyball and tennis programs.
“It really builds up confidence and friendship,” Pham said. “My husband coaches my son and that has really built a positive relationship for them over the years. He just started coaching my daughter as well, and she really looks forward to that.”
Recreation Supervisor Matt Papale said the boys’ lacrosse travel league gives children the unique opportunity to play the game while competing locally in nearby towns. “The coaches create a welcoming environment for the kids, who may be new to the sport,” he said. “Anyone who registers will get to play, which allows the players to get comfortable with the game. Then, the transition to the high school level is more exciting.”
To register for youth spring soccer and lacrosse leagues, visit nbparks.org/springintosummer or call (847) 291-2993.