PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — For kids playing high school sports not sanctioned by the OSAA, it’s often an expensive venture.
That’s what the Aloha High School lacrosse team has faced lately.
Coaches and parents are often left footing the bill but they’ve have found a unique way to keep the team on the field.
A creative promotional video and a GoFundMe page are helping buy sticks and pads for the team.
“It’s just the parents organizing all of this — the coaches and parents — no funding from the school or any of that,” player Joe Funderburg said.
Coach Richard Rosales said it costs about $1,500 per player but they don’t even pay a quarter of that in fees, so this fundraising effort makes up the difference.
“There’s definitely a big cost coming in but there’s a lot of other stuff we have to do — the fundraising, the video. We have to set all this stuff up ourselves,” player Nick Graves said. “We have to fundraise for all the things. The goals, the nets, all comes from us — so it definitely takes a lot to keep it going.”
But the lessons these kids are learning on and off the field are priceless when compared to the time and effort they’re putting in for the right to play.
“We want to make sure we’re not only teaching them how to play lacrosse but teaching them life lessons,” Rosales said. “Show up to practice, get your stuff on, be ready to go. We have a specific time we want to start and they’re gonna have a job one day so better learn it.”
The team needs to raise at least $15,000 to pay for gear, field fees, coaching and scholarships for players who can’t afford their fees. The team proudly doesn’t turn away players but needs financial help to make that happen.
“It’s a no-cut sport — everybody plays,” Rosales said. “I don’t care what your level is. Never picked up a stick, within a few minutes we can have you doing something so you enjoy the game.”
