About Us

Overview

The Highlands Lacrosse Association (“HLA”) is a volunteer program that supports the growth of lacrosse in our local community representing the towns of Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Waldwick and Midland Park. HLA offers girls and boys programming through clinics for kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grades, team-based play for 2nd through 8th grades, and additional lacrosse related events and activities in-season and off-season.


Our volunteers work tirelessly to create a positive, fun environment to develop youth lacrosse players with the potential of progressing players into competitive lacrosse at the JV and varsity levels at Northern Highlands Regional High School (“NHRHS”).


The boys’ program is a AAA – Group 1 member of the New Jersey Junior Lacrosse League, a Chapter of U.S.A. Lacrosse, the national governing body.


The girls’ program is a member of Conference A of the Jersey Girls Lacrosse Association, which adheres to the principle rules of the game as established by U.S.A. Lacrosse.

Mission

Highlands Lacrosse Association serves a dual mission. First, instill a love for the game of lacrosse in our youth players and local community. Second, develop the strongest possible pipeline of girls and boys to play competitive lacrosse at Northern Highlands Regional High School.

Program History

program formation
Highlands Lacrosse Youth and High School Players (circa 2001)
Fall 1997
Highlands Lacrosse Association formed as a single organization to support youth lacrosse and high school teams.
Spring 1998
Girls and boys youth teams for 4th through 8th grades participate in the New Jersey Junior Lacrosse League (“NJJLL”).
1999
Northern Highlands Regional High School (“NHRHS”) forms club lacrosse teams for girls and boys.  
2000
NHRHS establishes JV and varsity lacrosse teams for girls and boys
2000
NHLA hosts first of 14 annual fundraising dinners to support HLA youth and high school teams.
2001
Sanzari Field is built at Crestwood Park in Allendale by Mr. Sanzari and HLA to be used by youth and high school teams.
2001
Youth program expanded to K-2 clinic and 3rd grade team.
2005
NHRHS varsity girls team reaches first Bergen County Tournament finals but loses to Ridgewood in overtime.
class of 2015
Class of 2015 Highlands Lacrosse Youth Team (circa 2008) Yielded Upwards of 10 D1 to D3 Players
2018
NHRHS varsity boys go 20-3, wins Gibbs division, goes to State Tournament of Champions losing in semifinals.
2022
Boys youth 8th grade team reaches AAA finals of NJJLL Championship but loses to Clark.
2023
Boys youth 8th grade team wins AAA NJJLL Championship in overtime win against Randolph.

Registration Fees & Costs

HLA costs are funded annually through a combination of registration fees, donations, sponsorships, the spirit store, and other fundraising activities. The majority of our costs are related to league and tournament fees, referees, fields, uniforms, paid training resources and insurance. As a volunteer program, we do not pay our coaches unless we cannot find volunteers.  We make every effort to keep the costs to play lacrosse at accessible levels for all families in our community. If you have any difficulty covering the cost of registration or buying equipment, please email HLA’s President regarding our “No Questions Asked Support Policy” to help your daughter or son play lacrosse.

Volunteer Opportunities

As a volunteer program, we rely on the generosity of our parents who donate their time to coach or support our teams by joining one of our volunteer committees. If you would like to volunteer, we can use your help!

Highlands Lacrosse offers the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Events & Spirit Committee: Manage events and spirit related activities including Lax Day and the Banquet and Awards Dinner to engage youth players and promote Highlands Lacrosse Association.
  • Registration Committee:  Managing HLA’s registration process and related activities.
  • Scheduling & Logistics Committee: Managing scheduling and field assignments for practices, games and tournaments and related activities such as game-day equipment setup and game statistic managers.
  • Program Committee (Coaches Only): Managing coaching and training programming with the goal of improving the skills of all players.

Board of Directors

Sean O’Shea

President
Scheduling & Logistics Co-Chair
Boys Program Scheduler
7th Grade Boys Coach

Hirbod Azmi

Head of Boys Lacrosse
Programming Co-Chair
6th Grade Boys Coach

Dwight Kern

Head of Girls Lacrosse
Programming Co-Chair
7/8th Grade Girls Coach

Nolan Mamo

Jonathan Sacks

Treasurer
Registration Co-Chair

Lindsey Kuczma

Scheduling & Logistics Co-Chair
Girls Program Scheduler
3rd / 4th Grade Girls Coach

MEGAN RICE

Events & Spirit Co-Chair

Ashlen kakolewski

Events & Spirit Co-Chair

Jeff Dussich

Registration Co-Chair
4th Grade Boys Coach

Coaching Staff

girls Coaches

  • Dwight Kern – 8th Grade
  • TBD – 7th Grade
  • TBD – 6th Grade
  • Lindsey Kuczma – 5th Grade
  • TBD – 4rd Grade
  • TBD – 3rd Grade
  • TBD – 2nd Grade

Boys Coaches

  • Kevin Pedicano & Brian Angeli – 8th Grade
  • Sean O’Shea – 7th Grade
  • Hirbod Azmi – 6th Grade
  • John Kakolewski – 5th Grade
  • Jeff Dussich – 4rd Grade
  • Hirbod Azmi – 3rd Grade
  • Megan Rice – 2nd Grade