Little Sticks is an introductory program to field hockey for girls in grades 2-6. It will be held in two sessions on the fields behind Old Turnpike School. We will meet at the picnic tables and walk up to the fields together. All equipment will be provided, and it is optional to bring shin guards and a mouthguard.

The program is FREE and each participant will receive a T-shirt.
Registration is limited, so please sign up soon!

Grades 5 and 6 - Monday, May 21 through Friday, May 25 from 4:00-6:00pm
Grades 2, 3 and 4 - Tuesday, May 29 through Friday, June 1 from 4:00-6:00pm

This program is being offered as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project with the assistance of Ms Aanonsen, OTS Field Hockey coach. If you have any questions, or for more information about the program please contact Josephine Gallagher at littlesticksfh@gmail.com.

Matt Neibart, currently a freshman at Wake Forest University and a NHLL alumni, is a member of an organization called "Homerun Hopefuls." Homerun Hopefuls collects new and used baseball equipment in the U.S. for underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic. In addition to collecting equipment, each summer Matt travels with a few members of the group to the Dominican in order to hand deliver the equipment to various villages throughout the country.

If interested, Homerun Hopefuls collects the following equipment in any condition:

Bats
Gloves
Cleats
Sneakers
Batting gloves
Batting helmets
Catcher's gear
Balls
Tee-shirts
Baseball pants and socks
Hats

All donations can be dropped off at Matt's house anytime, or he would be happy to pick them up from you. Contact Matt at (908)-752-7467 or neibms11@wfu.edu with any questions or to make a donation.

The TAA instructional lacrosse program is looking for an experienced defenseman to coach fundamentals to the 2nd-4th graders. They must be able to effectively teach body positioning, foot work, outlet passing and communication with teammates.

Background checks, Rutgers Safety Certification and PCA courses are all required to participate as a volunteer in the TAA. If interested, please contact Program Director Jonathan Ackerman at 908 419-9743.

Many companies offer a volunteer matching-gift program to recognize the contribution of time their employees make to their communities. Depending on the program, companies will match service hours volunteered by the employee through monetary donations.

Based on all of our volunteers, and the endless hours they spend in support of our programs, this is an excellent opportunity for the TAA to raise additional funds to help support our capital expenses and lower our program costs. It will also help our volunteers meet their companies' program goals.

Please take the time to search your company's Web site for program information. Program Directors will verify your volunteer time and provide a formal letter of recognition from the TAA for your records and to submit to your company.

The TAA is a non-profit organization and relies on our many volunteers, sponsorships and donations for our programs to be successful. Please contact your Program Director if you have any questions or would like a recognition letter in support of your volunteer time to submit to your company.

Join the TAA and help shape the future of athletics in Tewksbury. Opportunities exist at all levels. If interested, contact President, Brett Lewis, blewis@wmblanchard.com.

If you participated in the original TAA Background Check initiative, your status expires this year. Background checks are valid for THREE YEARS. If you are still coaching within the TAA or would like to, you need to submit your information and be fingerprinted.

Please click on the "Fingerprint Form" link in the right hand column, print it, and fill it out. Once complete, go to https://www.bioapplicant.com/NJ and follow the instructions to make an appointment. Call 877-503-5981 with questions. REMEMBER TO BRING THE PAPER FORM TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.

Create your very own place in Tewksbury history by helping us build a brick patio and walkway for the Snack Shack. This is your opportunity to purchase a personalized family brick that will be forever displayed at beautiful Oldwick Fields.

Bricks are available in two sizes: 4" x 4" and 4" x 8". Download an order form today at

http://taa.sportsoffice.com/files/tewksbury/files/95410_TAA%20Brick%20Order%20FormR1.pdf.

Note: Donations are tax deductible.

The TAA operates a “if you bring it, take it with you” policy regarding trash and water bottles at the township fields. Please help pitch-in and take any stray items with you as well.

Please adhere to the township’s parking rules while visiting the fields.

At Tewksbury Elementary School, please park in the lower lot. The upper lot is reserved for handicap and emergency parking only.

At Christie Hoffman Farm, park vehicles on the grass to the left of the road only. The grass to the right of the road as you drive up to the fields is used by a local farmer and parking cars there will ruin his hay crop.

At Oldwick Fields, please adhere to the "No Parking Signs" and park on the orchard side of the road.

What is the Positive Coaching Alliance or PCA?

The TAA has partnered with the PCA to develop Double Goal Coaches, Second Goal Parents, and Triple Impact Competitors.

First and foremost, PCA stresses the importance of coaching and playing to win, however, looks to replace the “win at all cost” mentality with the more important ambition of teaching life lessons through youth sport experiences. Our actions as coaches, parents and TAA Board Members impact the environment of Tewksbury’s youth sports programs, and we all bear the responsibility of ensuring that our actions support the positive experience that we all want to provide for our kids.

Bottom line: We want to create a culture where kids love to play the game; they look forward to practices and games as times when they will have fun while learning and competing.

Through a series of upcoming mandatory seminars for coaches and parents, PCA and TAA will be presenting real life opportunities to bring this ambitious agenda to fruition in order to strengthen the already solid cultural foundation that has been established by past and present TAA volunteers. Our alliance with PCA and the mandatory seminars will reinforce, develop and sustain the culture of TAA in order to create the best overall competitive sports experience for our children.

For additional information regarding PCA, visit www.positivecoach.org.

The information and weather TAA Hotline number is 877-866-0800. Check it often for updates throughout the season.

Effective November 1, 2007, The Tewksbury Athletic Association (TAA) has implemented 2 new policies to enhance the quality of our coaching program.

Coach Rosters

All Program Directors will now be responsible for submitting a list of their Head and Assistant Coaches to Susan Twill (taa.stwill@gmail.com), TAA Coaches Coordinator, prior to the start of each season. Coaching staffs will be reviewed for Rutgers Certification and prior evaluation results. If a coach is not in our Rutgers Certified database, the Program Director will need to get a copy of the coach’s Rutgers Card and forward to Susan for verification and inclusion in our database.


Background Checks

Beginning with the winter 2008 sports season, the TAA will implement a finger printing and background check program for all Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Trainers who coach in our Rec and Traveling Programs. There will be no exceptions!

Program Directors should contact Susan Twill (taa.stwill@gmail.com) to coordinate the necessary information.

There will be no cost to the coaches for the training course or background checks. Coaches who do not complete the Rutgers Certification course and submit to the background check will not be permitted to coach for any TAA team.

Thanks for your cooperation,

Brett Lewis, TAA President
Susan Twill, Coaches Coordinator