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Join Destin Rockets Lacrosse!

Date Posted: 2/23/2012

Combining the excitement of hockey and the fast break speed of basketball, Lacrosse is actually the oldest sport native to North America, digging its roots in our history in the 5th century. The Destin Rockets will play in the Gulf Coast Lacrosse Conference, which will see competition from as far as Louisiana and Alabama and as near as Gulf Breeze.

“It’s tough competition,” said Gene Speni, general manager of the Rockets and founder of Louisiana-based Quick Stick Lacrosse.

The Rockets, which will be composed of middle school and high school players, will play a 10 game schedule that runs January through May. A limited schedule is available for elementary school children.

Since the league is considered a “club” team, it will not interfere with school sports, although it is a traveling team, so tournaments will be held on the weekends.

To kick the season off on the right foot and treat spectators to a special show, a Destin Jamboree will be played Jan. 17 at Morgan’s Sports Center and about 40 teams are expected to participate.

While the Rockets inaugural season is going to be challenging, Speni said he has no doubt that the players will gain the experience they need to be able to play lacrosse at the college level.

His confidence comes from the coaching staff he has assembled.

“I’ve never seen a finer coaching staff,” said Speni, who has been around the game of lacrosse for decades. “I was fortunate enough to meet Duke (Head Coach Duke Pope).

Pope was a Division 1 lacrosse standout at the Air Force Academy. Community Development Director Ken Gallander, who played lacrosse at the University of Kentucky, is also on the Rockets coaching staff.

If you are interested in becoming a Rocket, email FloridaQuickStickLacrosse@gmail.com or call Speni at 850-685-3679 or Pope at 850-499-8557.

Registration runs now through mid-January, with the main event Jan. 14 from 1-4 p.m. at Morgan’s Sports Center, and costs $100, plus a $25 membership in U.S. Lacrosse. Financial assistance and payment plans are available.

Practice begins Jan. 17 and will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays from 6-8 p.m. at the sports fields at Morgan’s.

“This should be a lot of fun for the coaches and the players,” said Speni, a local restaurateur and developing partner for Destin’s Bonefish Grill.