The Spring of 2005 will see the introduction of a two fee system. I guess it won't be totally knew as we have charged separately for socks for some years now, however there will be an additional fee to the participation fee ($35.00) of a Sports Kit fee ($45.00).

I will explain what this fee covers and its purpose. The “Sports Kit” will include 2 pair of socks, a practice ball, and the uniform shorts. Of course these items will belong to the boys and be theirs for the keeping come the end of the season.

Last season Maxine Sturgis's took on the assignment of organizing a fund-raiser for us. that fund-raiser is still in progress and I'm hoping that it will raise enough money to purchase new uniforms (around $3,000) before the beginning of our 2005 season. However that is not the only expense I have. Normal equipment, game balls, flags etc runs away with a lot of money. This Spring I would like to afford another set of goals we can keep on the practice field (an estimated $1,500.00). I know I will not always have Maxine around and as equipment wears out it will need replacing.

To eleviate some of this pressure I'm looking for the boys to buy some of the equipment. Of course the socks have been standard for some years. Last year saw me introducing the requirement of boys bringing a ball to practice. At best about 70% of them remembered on any given practice day. By making a ball part of the kit I will require the boys to keep that ball in their locker (the one assigned for the season in the locker room) so as to always have a ball for practice. The bottle will be for use at games to have available on the sideline to refresh the boys. Though I believe we are all aware how important it is to stay hydrated several workshops I have been to recently have stressed how important it is for the boys to have water regularly, even if it is not a lot.

It is possible that both the contents and the price of the kit might change from year-to-year depending on our needs and of course an ever changing environment.