HUNTSVILLE - Over the past few years, the cry for help has been uttered often from the mouths of those running the junior lacrosse program.
Unfortunately, that same cry is being heard again.
Shelly Nobile, the president of the junior C Hawks, is saying that the team is in desperate need of more help as the team moves forward either as junior C team or back in the junior B loop.
“We wont know until we hold our annual general meeting in October, but we don’t have a date yet,” Nobile said. “We took a two-year leave of absence from the junior B league and now we have to decide if we are staying in C or moving back to B. The Ontario Lacrosse Association’s annual meeting is scheduled for November and the junior C council hasn’t set the date for their meeting.”
She said the options are to continue in the C league, go back to B, or even to consider if the club will cease to exist, “if not enough people step up to make it run.”
Nobile’s comments are not news to those who have followed the team for the past few years. The junior Hawks has had its fair share of struggles with player recruitment, volunteers and finances, and moving to the junior C league was thought to be a way of somehow curing those ailments.
“We have a core group of kids that come out week after week and I am hoping those parents who were involved in the minor board will step up. We have a bunch of players coming out of midget in the next two years whose parents have been 80 per cent of the minor board. I am hoping that we will be seeing some new faces, even in a partial capacity.”
Nobile said she hopes to get an idea within the next few weeks about who may come forward to help out on the board.
“At this point we need bodies,” she said.  
Not that all the news is dire. Nobile said the Hawks are heading into next year with a set roster, with only one player going over age this year, Cole Greenaway, who was also team captain.
“Cole did a great job of leading the team this year. We had the most successful year in junior as far as wins go that we’ve had in a few years and could have easily had a couple more wins if we always had a full bench, which includes the playoffs. With a full bench we would have made it to the second round for sure.”
Nobile said the Hawks had a great core of younger players that were always there, through injuries and busy school and work schedules.
“A couple veterans that made it a priority and others that just couldn’t be relied on. We had good co-operation with our minor system, which allowed some midgets to play when needed. We actually have a great relationship between all Huntsville lacrosse groups right now. It’s a great lacrosse community where those that are involved are always willing to jump in and help when needed.
“The juniors had a pretty good year and we were all seeing things improving. All we need are a few more volunteers for junior and senior, and these teams will continue to improve,” she said.