May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Is your child not getting enough exercise during recess at school? Want to get him or her involved in after-school activities that are both fun and healthy?
Youth lacrosse and water polo programs are growing in South County and offer a unique way for elementary school and high school age children alike to take part in their benefits.
Eastlake resident Keith Quigley is the program director for PUCKidz/LAX619, a multi-sport youth program that stresses positive coaching and instruction in several sports. PUCKidz (Positive Understanding Coaching for Kids) is available year-round for private lessons and small group lessons in lacrosse, hockey and tennis.
The focus is on being outdoors, recreation and fitness.
Quigley has recently expanded the program to include after-school programs at several schools in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, including Feaster Elementary on Chula Vista’s west side and Camarena and Arroyo Vista Charter schools on the city’s eastern half.
The program recently received a national urban outreach diversity grant award from U.S. Lacrosse of which Quigley is particularly proud.
“I feel it is so important that we get more diversity in lacrosse,” explained Quigley, who serves as the roller hockey coach at Bonita Vista High School and the boys lacrosse coach at Olympian High School. “Lacrosse is a game for all and should be accessible and played by all no matter your background or ethnicity.”
This summer PUCKidz/LAX619 will offer lacrosse camps and club teams for middle school (sixth through eighth grade) and junior varsity and varsity high school teams.
“I’m definitely excited about the upcoming school year because the plans are to branch out to even more schools and expand the after-school lacrosse program,” Quigley said. “I simply want to give kids an opportunity to play lacrosse who often wouldn’t get that opportunity.”
For more information, visit www.puckidz.net.
Making a splash
The South Coast Water Polo Club provides instruction, training, leagues, tournaments and games for residents in South County, Coastal Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
Age groups range from 12U to 17U. Children can register and be a part of the only all-star water polo team in the South Bay region.
“We are proud to coach participants from all area high schools and age groups,” program director Ernie Medina said.
The South Coast Water Polo Club will hold tryouts/signups May 27 at the Mar Vista High School pool. Tryout times are as follows: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. (13U coed), 8:30 a.m. (boys 14-older) and 10:30 a.m. (girls 14-older).
For more info contact coacherniemedina@gmail.com.
