WOODBURY — Having no license, parents working, and no ride to lacrosse practice is a problem that underclassmen at Nonnewaug High School deal with every day.
Nonnewaug’s players on the co-op lacrosse team, known as Northwest United, have to travel to Litchfield to practice. But freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors on the lacrosse team sometimes find it hard to find a ride.
“I think it is difficult because as a sophomore who can’t drive and has parents who work, having to ask someone every day can be annoying to other people and difficult for me,” sophomore Deme Jones said. “Also having to find rides for my friends and sister [Laila], there isn’t always enough room in the upperclassmen’s cars, so we have to figure out a way.”
Another set of twins, Gavin and Liam Sandor, encounter similar difficulties, but with them, they had one car for two different sports.
“At the beginning of the season, my brother and I shared a car, so we had to work out our schedules and find rides to make it work,” said Liam, a junior lacrosse player.
With Gavin doing track as his spring sport, sharing a car when Liam has to travel to Litchfield could be difficult to juggle.
If athletes aren’t able to find a ride to Litchfield every day, there could be chances they will have to miss a practice or even a game because they are unable to make it there.
“If I really can’t find anyone to get me to Litchfield I have to email my coach to tell him I couldn’t get a ride and just go home,” said Deme Jones. “I do ask family and friends but there are instances where nobody can bring me.”
Not being able to make it to practices or games can show a coach one’s level of commitment to the team, which may influence playing time in games.
No matter where kids practice, there will always be complaints. However, Liam Sandor sees one positive of playing at Litchfield.
“The only positive thing is most teams we play have [artificial] turf, so when they come to Litchfield, it is shocking to them [to play on natural grass],” said Liam. “This gives us an advantage. Besides that, there’s nothing good. The grass is not nearly as nice as the turf. The field drains very poorly, so it’s often soaking wet and muddy, and the facilities along with equipment, like goals, aren’t as nice as Nonnewaug.”
It’s always a plus for these athletes to be able to practice at Nonnewaug despite the facility being busy with track and other sports earlier in the afternoon.
“I would make all games and practices at Nonnewaug even though it would have to be later,” said Liam, “When players are unable to show up to a practice or a game, coaches should be considerate, especially players in this situation.”
“Our coach is very understanding about the ride situation,” said Deme, “especially for the underclassmen.”
