Early in 2001, Victor Rivera was driving by Freehold Township High School and noticed a group of boys playing lacrosse on the back field.  Having played as a Division 1 All-American Defenseman at NC State, he was interested in getting involved with lacrosse in our community, and stopped to see if he could help in any way.  Coach Steve Gibb asked if Victor would be willing to hold a series of clinics for the high school boys in the summer.  That was the first Freehold Township Rec season played and players received a Certificate of Participation.  That winter, Coach Rivera  formed a team to play at the indoor Peddie League.  To support expansion of the program, Coach Rivera, Steve Shinners and Bill Miller formed Central Jersey Lacrosse (aka CJLAX) in 2001.  Working with FTHS Varsity Lacrosse Coach Steve Gibb, Victor, Steve and Bill  proposed running a Spring Lax program for middle school boys to the Freehold Township Parks and Rec Board. The first year, the Rec program had 38 boys. Since then, it has expanded to include a Spring Clinic for boys grades 1 -3; a Rec league for boys & girls grades 4 - 8th; a Boy’s Travel program for U11 (3rd &4th grade), U13 (5th & 6th grade) and U15 (7th & 8th graders), and Summer clinics for boys & girls grades 1-3; a league for boys grades 4-12 & girls grades 4 - 8.  When CJLAX was first formed, there were no similar programs in several of the surrounding communities that were part of the Freehold Regional School District.  The name ‘Central Jersey Lacrosse’ was selected to provide an inclusive environment for players from around the Freehold Township area until  their towns provided local programs. CJLAX has been the parent for several surrounding programs: the Howell Lacrosse Program started in 2005, the Ocean Townhip Lacrosse Program started in 2006, and the Manalapan Lacrosse Program (Nomad Lacrosse) started in 2009; and the Pride Lacrosse Program in Fort Bragg, NC (founded by Chris Lach, former CJLAX player, referee and coach, now serving in the 82nd Airborne Division).   Since it’s start, the program has been blessed with dedicated volunteers who have coached, kept score, helped with organizing our annual spring picnic, taken photographs, provided rides to games for players, staffed the snack bar, and organized tailgates.  We have also had outstanding support from local business people donating their products and service to support the program.  All of these people have helped to fullfill the mission of providing a fantastic lacrosse experience to the childen and parents alike.  

Freehold Area Youth Lacrosse

Established  2001

CJLAX