The recent election of Calbert Hutchinson to the position of Vice President of the Pan-American Lacrosse Association (PALA) is being heralded as a significant milestone not only for him but also for the continued growth of lacrosse in Jamaica and across the region.
Hutchinson, who currently serves as the President of Jamaica Lacrosse, now takes on a broader leadership role that will help shape policy and development strategies across the Pan-American region. With 23 member nations in the PALA fold, including 12 full members of World Lacrosse, Hutchinson’s main focus will be helping associate members meet the requirements to become full members.
“One of my tasks will be to work with the president to get those members who are not yet full members up to speed,” Hutchinson told Sportsmax.TV. “That entails getting them to ensure they have development taking place in their home countries, ensuring that they have an organizational structure in place and that they are following the guidelines outlined by the world body.”
For Jamaica, Hutchinson’s elevation is expected to increase the visibility of the local programme and open doors for further collaboration and support. Since 2014, lacrosse in Jamaica has made steady progress, expanding from just a handful of schools in Kingston and St Andrew to parts of the parishes of St Catherine, St Mary and St Thomas.
But the growth hasn’t come without its share of challenges. One of the most pressing has been access to equipment. “We’re in communication with organizations like Level the Playing Field in the U.S. to help us source used and new gear. The more equipment we get in, the more schools we can bring into the programme,” he said.
As vice president, Hutchinson will also play a key role in advising PALA members on development models that promote sustainable growth through strong local structures. This experience, he believes, will feed directly back into Jamaica’s development path.
“We don’t want to spread ourselves too thin,” he explained. “We’re taking it step by step, expanding outward with a focus on ensuring schools not only receive equipment but also opportunities to compete. That’s what will keep the students and institutions engaged.”
- Jamaica Lacrosse
Interest among students has also increased dramatically. “When we started in 2014, we had to beg students to pick up a stick,” Hutchinson recalled. “Now schools are contacting us to get involved, and students are encouraging their principals and teachers to support the sport.”
As Hutchinson steps onto the regional stage, he brings with him the experience of building a grassroots programme from the ground up. His election is not only a win for Jamaica Lacrosse but for the entire Caribbean lacrosse movement looking to grow from the foundation he has helped lay.