The community of Port Washington, located on the North Shore of Long Island, understands the important role that athletics can play in shaping the development of its youth.
Since 1963, the Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) organization has played a central role in providing year-round playing opportunities for local youth, with sports offerings ranging from baseball to wrestling, from field hockey to lacrosse.
While most of the PYA’s programs are top-notch, perhaps none is more impactful in the community than the lacrosse program. Registration numbers were at an all-time high last season, with 300 boys’ and girls’ participants from K-6. That’s in addition to a robust “littles” lacrosse program for 3-4 year olds.
“We’re fully invested in developing all kids,” said Morgan O’Connor, who has served as a PYA coach for the past six years and now oversees the girls’ lacrosse division.
O’Connor credits the quality of the PYA’s volunteer coaches as one of the primary reasons for the success of the lacrosse programs.
“We work hard to find the best coaches in the area, and have been pretty fortunate through the years to have so many be a part of our program,” she said.
Community support is one of the hallmarks of the Port Washington youth program, a USA Lacrosse member organization. Having its own outdoor complex -- Lions Field -- with ample field space helps overcome one of the barriers that many other youth programs face. A strong partnership with the varsity and JV teams at Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School provides additional support.
Matt Lilien, commissioner of the boys’ division, says that the older kids serve as important role models for the younger kids.
“The impact of the high school players is immense,” Lilien said. “Whether they are demonstrating drills at a practice or helping with our winter program, they really have the attention of the younger boys.”
“There’s a great trickle-down effect by having the local high school players helping with beginner clinics and events,” O’Connor said.
Lilien says that while the PYA is committed to providing a quality top-down lacrosse experience for all, the coaches also put some responsibility back on the kids.
“It’s important to us that kids are learning the right way, but also the right things,” he said. “We really harp on kids being good teammates and having the right attitude. Effort, team, and sportsmanship are all really important things that we stress. We want lacrosse to be fun for everyone.”
One of the PYA’s biggest events is the annual Harvey Cohen Youth Tournament, named in honor of the legendary National Lacrosse Hall of Fame member who committed most of his adult life to growing the game on Long Island. The two-day event in late May attracts as many as 80 town teams and serves as a major fundraiser, including donations to charity.
“The tournament is a major undertaking, but it’s a very fun event,” O’Connor said. “We’re fortunate to have so many people who are willing to help.”
Lilien credits Port Washington’s family atmosphere and parental involvement as being strong support pillars for the PYA program.
“Port Washington is a sports town, and people are always looking to help out,” Lilien said. “The more people that we have involved, the better the overall experience will be for the kids.”
Now in its sixth decade of serving the community, the PYA appears top be as strong as ever.
“Lacrosse has always been big here, but we’re very grateful for the commitment of so many others through the years that have helped build this thing to where it is now,” Lilien said. “Our success is due to all of them.”
