RECREATION DEPARTMENT

To the Board of Selectmen:

 

The Recreation Commission would like to "THANK" the other town Boards and Commissions for their continued support and cooperation. In conclusion, as we enter the New Year, we eagerly await the challenges and continued growth in programs and facilities.

We must continue this report by extending a sincere "THANK YOU" to all those 400+ volunteers who dedicated more that 35,000 hours of volunteer service to the youth of this community. We applaud their efforts in teaching our youth good sportsmanship, while also, dealing with many of the social pressures placed on our youth today.

In 2005, we finished our tenth year of operation of Pine Knoll Recreation Area. This was the first time that we had to establish 'Waiting Lists' as all four sessions of the program were filled to the maximum. We continued our Junior Counselor program. This program was geared toward the youngster that was too old for our regular program, but not old enough to be considered for employment at the facility. They experienced what it would be like to be an employee at Pine Knoll by doing office duty, working with groups and participating in all activities that are held at Pine Knoll. Use of the buildings, for special events, included birthday parties, civic group picnics and local nursery school graduation.

Our "Mail-In-Registration" policy continues to be a popular method of registering or programs and virtually allows participants to register 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Brochures of activities, which include seasonal program information were printed and distributed in September and May. Additional program information was distributed, as needed, to residents through the Schools, Library, The Reminder, and the Recreation Office when new programs were developed. We continue to use the "East Longmeadow Cable Channel" which carries important information about programs not carried in our brochures. Another source of publicity is our Home page on the 'Internet' that is now fully functional listing all the current programs offered by the department. We have online, registration forms and medical history forms that can be downloaded and filled in at home. Our address is www.eastlongmeadow.org. This is the Town of East Longmeadow Home page. You will find us listed on the right side of the page. Just click on Recreation and you will find all the information you need.

The Recreation Commission continues to evaluate both the facilities used and programs offered. Our "Goal" is to continue all direct costs of programs offered, while keeping in mind that some fees could pose a financial burden upon large families.

 

Respectfully submitted:

Richard Paige, Chair

Nancy Roberts, 1st Vice Chair

Michael O'Neill, 2^nd Vice Chair                             

Richard Matuszczak                      

Faith Leahy

Steven Beaumier

Paul Nardi

Michael Salvon

John O'Heir

 

East Longmeadow Baseball Association

Highlights of the 2004 season are as follows: 1) Held 1st Annual Home Run Derby at Leahy to help raise money for the program and bring more awareness and excitement to program. This was well attended and all had a great time. 2) 10-12 Tri-Town All Star Game was held at Leahy. 3) Entered for the 1st time an 8-10 team in Tri-Town League. 4) Again held Annual "BABA" Trangese Baseball Tourney. 5) In general had approx 40 teams and over 400 children "play ball" in East Longmeadow.

2005 Cheerleading

The Evaluations for the 2005 Cheerleading season were held in late May. The program started off a little slow, but the enthusiasm was intense. To start off the season, practices were held to get ready for the East Longmeadow 4^th of July Parade. In mid July, each squad participated at the New England Cheerleaders Association camp, which was held at Western New England College. There, the girls learned various dances, cheers and techniques that would be used throughout the season. In August, each squad had a few practices to help prepare them for the season ahead. As the season began, each squad buckled down and knew they had to do it. At games, the girls would perform halftime routines, which allowed them to show off their amazing skills. The girls worked extremely hard at practices and showed all of the coaches that they were ready for the tough stuff. The topic of THE EHIBITION was thrown around throughout the season, as the girls were getting very anxious to prove themselves to others. Practices then doubled in preparation for their extreme routines. Each squad practiced very hard to perfect their routines, which the pee wee and junior coaches had created for them. The senior squad had the chance for the first time to make up their own routines. Early November rolled around, and the girls were all ready to show Western Mass what they could do. As always, the girls did amazing and everyone was very proud. However, we did come out with a surprise, the 'Spirit Stick', which was awarded to the town with the most spirit throughout the day. This was a huge accomplishment for the girls because this was something that they have always dreamed of. The exhibition was a great way to end the season on a good note. The banquet was held at Elmcrest Country Club, and each attendee had a wonderful time. To explain this season in wordsÉ is impossible. The determination to win and the want to succeed was huge, and that feeling was shown during the entire season. Thank you to everyone that helped throughout the season, we appreciate it immensely. And of course, none of this would have been possible without all the help from the junior assistant coaches and coaches. This season was truly amazing and I can't thank you enough.

Erin Schnepp, Junior Assistant Coach

 

Boy's Lacrosse 2005

 

Dear Players, Parents & Coaches;

 

I just wanted to let you all know how we did as a group this season and let you know what the future looks like for Lacrosse in East Longmeadow.

 

First, we had a great registration this year, just over (60) boys registered to play, and our Junior team had so many players that we were able to start a Bantam team for the 1^st time. I hope that we could continue to have (3) teams going forward, so tell all your friends to join you next spring.

BANTAMS (2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th Grade)

Coached by John DeMarche had a great season, and without being registered in the CVYL, the 17 boys were able to play more than 15 games, with teams from Longmeadow and Wilbraham to name a few. The team did a tremendous job and ended the year with a winning record. Coach DeMarche took the team to a Tournament in Longmeadow in early June and in (5) games, on one of the hottest and most humid days, finished with a 2-2-1 record and could have easily finished with a 4-0-1 record, GREAT YEAR TO ALL.

JUNIORS (5^th and 6^th Grade)

Coached by Ed Shore, and assisted by Dave Fraboni, Bob Holden and Bill Bazin the team finished the season and went to the playoffs seeded 3^rd out of 24 teams, hosting a playoff game against arch rival, Longmeadow, in a tough game the team lost to a deeper Longmeadow team. The seeding was a good representation of how the team played all year, outstanding! The boys learned a lot about themselves and many learned new positions, which will benefit them as the years go by, and they move up to the next level.

SENIORS (7^th and 8^th Grade)

Under Head Coach Tom Latsko, with assistance from Ian McQuen and what many people would say was the 'hinderence' of Mike Sacenti, the Senior team with 18 boys, only 6 of which were 8^th Graders, finished the year undefeated in league play. This got the team a 7^th seed in the tournament, and had to go to Tolland, CT. to play what many felt was the best game in the history of ELPR lacrosse. The team played Tolland, the 2^nd seed that was made up of many of the players who beat the Junior team last season in their championship game, so it was sweet revenge to beat Tolland on their field, being penalized 9 times to their 1 time, and winning in the 3^rd overtime, again in the extreme heat and humidity. This was both good and bad, because this meant that we then had to play the #1 seed, Newington, CT. in the Semi final game. This past Saturday we lost to Newington, 8-2.

 

No matter what the outcomes were, it was a very productive season for all 3 teams and next year will be even better. Each team has at least 10 players per grade returning, giving good balance to each team, and ultimately feeding 10 players per year for the next 5-7 years up to Coach Glenn Maller at the High School, who will then take them to a Western Mass Championship and a trip to the State Tournament!!!!

 

I would like to thank all of the Parents, Grandparents, siblings, friends of EL Lacrosse, and the staff at the Park and Rec Dept. that supported the players this season. I would ask the players to remember our new #1 objective for next season, SUPERIOR CONDITIONING, work on this all year round, and you will guarantee yourselves a better season next year.

                       

Thank you again,                             Michael Sacenti

 

 

Marlins Swim Team

 

I thought that the Marlins had an exceptional year, and would like to share it with you.

 

At the end of the Winter Season last year, the team lost their coach and all board members except myself. In losing the above there was really no on who knew how the team was run, what was involved with league meetings, how to run a swim meet and how to use the team computer. With no one having any experience in the above it looked for a time like the team might fold.

 

Several parents got together and decided to try and make it work. Coach Gil and his daughter stepped up and covered stroke and turn and gave us leads on finding a coach. We hired a coach and were ready to start practice.

 

When it came time for our first meet, parents who didn't even have children swimming on the Marlins, stepped up, became members of the board, and worked various positions until our parents learned to run a meet. It was a rocky season for sure. Learning how to score a meet, run a meet and overcoming a reputation we had within the league was tough but we did it.

 

At Summer Champs, a member of the Wilbraham Flacons, came to me and she said I just want you to know that the other teams are talking about you, saying that they had never seen a group of parents and swimmers working so well together and having so much fun, that they were jealous.

 

That was the nicest compliment we could have gotten after the season we had. So many parents stepped up and not only didn't let a great program die but they built a better one, where everyone is involved, the swimmers had fun, and other communities noticed.

 

Sincerely,

Kathleen Demarest

Presidenet – East Longmeadow Marlins