About Us
Coaching in Chatham
In order to coach in Chatham, all volunteers must complete 2 requirements.
Cougar Lacrosse Club Board of Trustees
- Nick Russo – President (Nicholas.s.russo@gmail.com)
- Marisa Mauer - VP, Girls Program Lead
- Alex Hewit - VP, Boys Program Lead
- Christine Cairns - Secretary
- Don Gerne - Treasurer
- Chuck Grom
- Emily Gerne
- Kim McWilliams
- Brian LaMastro
- Doug Thompson
- Tara Dorazio
- Nick LaFiura
Programs
- 6/7/8 Grade Boys - Starting in 6th grade our youth boy’s lacrosse league has both an A and a B division. The purpose of this is to pair teams more evenly for games with the goal of increasing player development at all levels of experience and skill. The tryouts for the A and B teams typically take place in late February/early March. Exact time and location will be communicated by your grade leads. The tryouts are run by independent evaluators, parents are not allowed to attend, and no parent coaches will be present. This tryout is optional and there is no pressure to attend. The tryout is for players that would like to make the A team this spring. All players can play on the B team and that team will play a full schedule of games and tournaments. Players who choose to try out for the A team must be able to prioritize the team over other sports (and club lacrosse) during the spring and commit to practices, games, and tournaments.
- 4/5 Grade Boys - Starting in fourth grade, the boys transition to full field, 10v10 lacrosse. We separate the boys into 2 equal strength teams as long as there are enough participants for two teams. The goal is to have each player participate in at least 8 games. There will be one to two practices during the week starting in March, with games primarily on Saturdays and Sundays in April and May.
- 2/3 Grade Boys - Starting in second grade, the boys will wear full equipment. This includes a helmet, gloves, arm pads, and shoulder pads. The goal for this age group is to have the boys improve their skills and knowledge of lacrosse and to have fun playing games/scrimmages against other towns. We practice one to times per week, typically starting in late March with games/scrimmages starting later in the spring. Games/scrimmages are 6v6, small-sided running across the width of the field.
- K/1 Grade Boys - The goal of the K/1 program is to teach the players the basics of lacrosse. It is all about fun and safety. Due to the high number of participants, the practice is run like a boot camp. There will be four sections on the field with a few coaches at each section. Each section will have a unique drill. After 12-15 minutes, the whistle will blow, and the children will move clockwise to the next section. For K/1, only a stick is needed.
- 7/8 Grade Girls - Starting in 7th grade our youth girl’s lacrosse league has two divisions, Select and Travel. The purpose of this is to pair teams more evenly for games with the goal of increasing player development at all levels of experience and skill. The tryouts for the Select (A) and Travel (B) division teams typically take place in late February/early March. Exact time and location will be communicated by your grade leads. The tryouts are run by independent evaluators, parents are not allowed to attend, and no parent coaches will be present. This tryout is optional and there is no pressure to attend. The tryout is for players that would like to make the Select team this spring. All players can play on the Travel team and that team will play a full schedule of games and tournaments. Players who choose to try out for the Select team must be able to prioritize the team over other sports (and club lacrosse) during the spring and commit to practices, games, and tournaments.
- 5/6 Grade Girls - 5/6 grade girls play and practice at Lum Field on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays with occasional games on Saturdays. Each grade will have two balanced teams as long as there are enough participants to field two teams. Practices start in early March and games usually commence in April and will be 12v12 including goalies with modified checking.
- 3/4 Grade Girls - 3/4 grade girls practice at Lum Field Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in late March. Our focus is on building confidence, growing skills, introducing the girls to game play / rules and fostering a love of the game. We will continue with the regular format of having 3rd/4th grade teams combined. We will do a lot of intrasquad, 8v8 instructional scrimmaging. 4th graders will have one playday during the spring against other towns.
- K/1/2 Grade Girls - The goal of the K/1/2 program is to teach the players the basics of lacrosse. It is all about fun and safety. Due to the high number of participants, the practice is run like a boot camp. There will be four sections on the field with a few coaches at each section. Each section will have a unique drill. After 12-15 minutes, the whistle will blow, and the children will move clockwise to the next section. For K/1/2, a stick, goggles and mouth guards are required.
Cougar Lacrosse Club
Code of Conduct
The Cougar Lacrosse Club (CLC) has adopted and abides by the US Lacrosse Youth Council Code of Conduct and adheres to the teachings of the Positive Coaching Alliance. A complete copy of the US Lacrosse Youth Council Code of Conduct is available at https://www.usalacrosse.com/usa-lacrosse-code-conduct and its principle terms are set forth below.
The Code of Conduct is a condition of membership in US Lacrosse. All CLC participants, including without limitation, players, coaches, officials, parents, guardians and spectators, agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and to accept the consequences of violations of the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is included or incorporated by reference in every registration form for the CLC. Grievances must be communicated through the proper channels in accordance with the CLC Grievance Policy. All enforcement decisions made by representatives of the CLC are final and not subject to review. No refunds will be granted to those players whose CLC membership is revoked for violation of the Code of Conduct. In registering to participate in an CLC program, you acknowledge and agree that you and your affiliated CLC participants have read and will comply with the Code of Conduct.
US LACROSSE AND THE POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE STATEMENT
US Lacrosse and the Positive Coaching Alliance have partnered to establish and promote positive coaching throughout the sport of lacrosse. In addition, US Lacrosse is committed to preserve the "Honor of the Game" for all who enjoy the sport of lacrosse. To help fulfill this commitment, US Lacrosse requires all players, coaches, officials, parents, guardians and spectators to sign and abide by a "Code of Conduct" that embodies basic common sense principles; demonstrates consideration of others; and projects a positive image to our young men and women. Individuals and/or teams participating in US Lacrosse events that fail to abide by this code will be subject to ejection and disqualification from future US Lacrosse events. Thank you for your help in promoting these principles.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Players, coaches, officials, parents, guardians and spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner that "Honors the Game" and demonstrates respect for and dignified treatment of, other players, coaches, officials, parents, guardians and spectators. In becoming a member of the lacrosse community an individual assumes certain obligations and responsibilities to the game of lacrosse and its participants. The essential elements in this "Code of Conduct" are HONESTY and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a manner that reflects these principles will bring credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves, their team and their organization. It is only through such conduct that our sport can earn and main a positive image that makes its full contribution to youth sports in the United States and around the world.
US Lacrosse supports the following behaviors for those participating or involved in anyway with US Lacrosse in general:
- The essential elements of the "Code of Conduct" must be adhered to.
- Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair play are essential to the game and must be taught and developed both at home and on the field during practices and games.
- The emphasis on winning should never be placed above the value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play, teamwork or the skills of the game.
- Derogatory comments are unacceptable. Use positive reinforcement with players and adults alike. It should be remembered that criticism once made can never be retracted.
- The safety and welfare of the players are of primary importance.
- Coaches must always be aware of the tremendous influence they have on their players. They are to strive to be positive role models in dealing with young people, as well as with adults.
- Officials are expected to conduct themselves as professionals in a manner that demonstrates courtesy and fairness to all parties, while exercising their authority on the field.
- Adults involved with the game must never permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize, badger, harass, or threaten an official.
- Knowledge of the Rules of Lacrosse must be respected and adhered to by all who participate in the game of lacrosse, both in letter and the spirit of the game. Attempts to manipulate the rules in an effort to take unfair advantage of an opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike conduct, is considered unacceptable conduct.
- Eligibility requirements, such as age and previous level of participation, must be followed.
These requirements have been established to encourage and maximize participation, as well as promote safety.
Cougar Lacrosse Club
Grievance Policy
- 1. A grievance may be lodged by any person for any violation of the Cougar Lacrosse Club (CLC) Code of Conduct, including the US Lacrosse Code of Conduct incorporated therein, or for any violation of local, state or federal law. For a copy of the CLC Code of Conduct, see https://chathamnj.usl.la
- No grievance will be accepted from any person who: (i) fails to observe the CLC's mandatory 24 hour cooling off period prior to speaking to a coach, CLC or league official about a grievance, (ii) is acting in violation of the CLC Code of Conduct (or US Lacrosse Code of Conduct), (iii) has engaged in any threatening, abusive or harassing conduct, including verbal abuse, (iv) has failed to seek to bring the matter to the attention of the team coach, or appropriate Program Director (Boys or Girls) after the expiration of the mandatory cooling off period, (v) fails to file the written notice of protest within two weeks of the incident in question.
- No grievance will be accepted that seeks to challenge coaching decisions. For this purpose a coaching decision includes, but is not limited to playing time, position assignments, starting assignments and lacrosse strategy. Playing time in games is directly influenced by the player's demonstrated commitment.
- A valid grievance must be in writing, explain the nature of the grievance, the circumstances and indicate the specific provision of the CLC Code of Conduct that was violated using the CLC Notice of Protest form (attached). A person who files a grievance must identify all witnesses. The person accused will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations and should use the CLC Notice of Protest form to present their view of events. Witnesses may also be asked to complete the form.
- A valid grievance must be signed by a parent, coach or player and submitted to the appropriate Program Director (Boys or Girls).
- The applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) will oversee the initial grievance review process. He or she will receive and review any grievance filed, notify the other party involved, provide the other party with an opportunity to respond to the allegations, contact any witness(es) for input, ensure the entire CLC Board of Trustees is promptly informed, communicate any update on the status of the grievance under review to the relevant parties (i.e. the entire CLC Board of Trustees, the person filing the notice of protest and the person alleged to have violated the CLC Code of Conduct) and report to such parties any resolution or outcome of the investigation as determined in accordance with the provisions of this policy that follow. The expected time to review a grievance is 2-3 weeks, assuming all parties are prompt and forthcoming. In the event of concern for physical safety, a more expedient process will be necessitated, which may include, without limitation, a special meeting of the CLC Board of Trustees to address the matter.
- If the applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) is a party to the grievance, then the President will substitute for the Program Director.
- The person filing the notice of protest will be notified regularly of progress of the investigation.
- Details of the grievance are not to be discussed with anyone other than members of the CLC Board of Trustees and the party(ies) directly involved in resolving the grievance.
- The applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) and the CLC President, acting together, will attempt to resolve the grievance amicably, to the mutual satisfaction of all interested/affected parties and in the best interests of the CLC. All decisions of the applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) and the CLC President are subject to the review and approval of the CLC Board of Trustees. The CLC Board of Trustees in its discretion may intervene to review and decide any matter. Any interested/affected party may request the matter be reviewed and decided by the CLC Board of Trustees.
- Upon the request of any interested/affected party or the CLC Board of Trustees, or if the matter is not otherwise resolved, the applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) and the CLC President will present the findings and their recommendation for resolving the matter to the CLC Board of Trustees.
- The CLC Board of Trustees may accept the recommendation of the applicable Program Director (Boys or Girls) and/or the CLC President or may decide that it is in the best interests of the CLC to resolve the matter in any other manner.
- Decisions of the Board of Trustees are final and will be communicated in writing to the party(ies).
- Failure to conform to the CLC Code of Conduct while attending, coaching, officiating, participating in or watching an CLC event (game, practice etc.) will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to the following in any order or combination:
- Verbal warning issued by an official, head coach, CLC official, or authorized league representative
- Written warning
- Game suspension or immediate ejection from game or other event
- Suspension from multiple games or other events
- Game forfeit determined by official, coach or CLC official
- Season suspension or multiple season suspension issued by an CLC official or authorized league representative
- Warning or suspension issued by an authorized representative of US Lacrosse or any other league organization of which the CLC is a member and who’s Code of Conduct governs the CLC
- Expulsion from the CLC
