By TIM KELLY
An Ocean City firm is helping to fill the void left by recent decisions to cancel the fall interscholastic sports programs at area middle schools.
“When I heard this news it was disappointing,” said Jill Adamson, co-founder and owner of RA Development Academy along with Tyrone Rolls. “But then came the realization we had an opportunity to provide alternative activities.”
Ever since Rolls and Adamson launched the RA Development Academy last year, a youth training and coaching enterprise, the owners always made certain to give back to community.
“We are so blessed to live in Ocean City and have the opportunity to coach and train amazing young athletes,” Adamson said. “It’s only right that we would want to do what we can do to help our neighbors.”
In “old normal” times, that meant donating a portion of event proceeds to local charities, establishing a scholarship fund for deserving children, loaning out equipment for kids trying new sports, and much more.
These practices remain in effect, but as the national coronavirus health crisis deepened, the partners decided to take more “hands on” action.
“Obviously we can’t replace or offer an interscholastic sports program,” Adamson said. “But we can deliver structured clinics and sports events these children are missing out on. Kids and parents do not have to be totally devoid of organized sports and activities this fall. Now, more than ever, it’s important for kids to stay active, socially-engaged, healthy and outside having fun.”
That meant expanding on their fall sports programs for boys and girls in grades 3 through 8. Events and programs are currently planned for boys and girls soccer, basketball, girls lacrosse, girls field hockey, softball and much more.
Adamson, a frontline healthcare worker, and Rolls, a sergeant with the Ocean City Police Department, said they are observing all social distancing and other virus-fighting protocols of the Center for Disease Control, and that all clinics and events take place outdoors.
CDC safety and social distancing protocols are used for all of the fall events and clinics, and everything happens outdoors at Trinity Church in Marmora.
One of the highlights of the fall schedule is a free throw contest and fun-filled event on Sunday Sept. 6. Clinics continue through the fall. All will be held at Trinity Church, 20 North Shore Road in the Marmora section of Upper Township.
RA (for Rolls and Adamson) Development Academy, delivers youth sports clinics and leagues, one-on-one and group training in specific sports and numerous other programs, events and services related to youth sports. RA can also design and deliver turnkey operations for clients wishing to stage such events.
“Things are still unsettled for some parents and students as they prepare for the school year,” Adamson said. “We’re proud to offer structured sports activities for this age group and an opportunity for kids to stay on their game.”
Rolls said that in a larger sense, the clinics deliver “positivity and positive vibes” for kids and adults alike.
“This is especially important now – at a time when there is a lot of uncertainty out there,” Rolls noted. “We’re proud to maintain a strong presence in the community and can’t wait to see the kids come out to enjoy these activities.”
Call Jill Adamson at (609) 214-2380 to register. Check each event below or call Adamson for further details. Information can also be found on the RA Academy website: https://radevelopmentacademy.com.
CDC/socially distant protocols followed at all clinics/events. More information can also be found on the RA Development Academy website and on its Facebook/Instagram page. Following is the current schedule:
- Sunday Sept. 6, 4-6 p.m. (rain date Sept. 13): RA Development Academy’s First Annual Free Throw Shooting Contest. Prizes, food, fun, games and music. Special guests to be announced. Pre-registration required. $25 entry fee includes T-shirt. Boys/girls grades 3-8. A portion of proceeds will be donated to charity.
- Saturdays Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 10: RA Development Academy’s Fall 2020 Girls Softball Clinics. Trinity Church, Marmora. Coaches Arianna Segich and Marisa Holt. Grades 4-8 from 9-10 a.m. Registration required. Package and drop-in rates available.
- Saturdays Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10: RA Development Academy’s Saturday Basketball Clinics for Boys and Girls. Grades 3-4 from 10-11 a.m., grades 5-8 from 11-12 p.m., Trinity Church, Marmora. Registration required. Package and drop-in rates available.
- Mondays and Wednesdays Sept. 21, 23, 28, 30; Oct. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28: RA Development Academy’s Fall Basketball Clinics for Boys and Girls. Trinity Church, Marmora. Grades 3-4 from 4-5 p.m., Grades 5-8 from 5-6 p.m. Registration required. Package and drop-in participant rates available.
- Mondays and Wednesdays Sept. 21, 23, 28, 30; Oct. 5, 7, 12, 14,19, 21, 26, 28 from 4:30 5:30 p.m.: RA Development Academy’s Fall Girls Lacrosse Clinic featuring Coach Kylie Primeau. Trinity Church Marmora. Grades 4-8. Registration required. Package and drop-in rates available.
- Saturdays September 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24: RA Development Academy’s Fall Soccer Clinics for Girls and Boys featuring Coach Nick Hanuscin. Trinity Church, Marmora. Grades 3-4 from 10-11 a.m., Grades 5-8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration required. Package and drop-in rates available.
- Mondays and Wednesdays Sept. 21, 23, 28, and 30, Oct. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. RA Development Academy’s Fall Girls Field Hockey Clinic, featuring Coach Jaimie McCormick. Grades 3-8. Registration required. Trinity Church Marmora. Package and drop-in Rates available.
