Twenty years ago (give or take) a local parent, Marlene Smith, got the group together. Initially playing at  Newtown Middle School (Gym “A” in the winter and behind the school in the warmer months), space was limited. The gym games were often 5 v 5 where playing against the walls was fair. Bloody knees were common because the gym floor was so unforgiving.

As we grew, we moved to Treadwell Park for Saturday and night games under the lights (which came with its own problems because the lights would often turn off without warning!) during the warm months and the NYA field during the cold months. That particular field was smaller so we usually rotated three teams of 8 or 9 people for 8 minute intervals. One Christmas Eve included an early game, although this could just mean that nobody likes their families very much.

Nowadays we play in the newer field house at Newtown Youth Academy, and regularly get 20+ people to play. It can get a bit tight with that many, but..well, it’s way better than 4v4 (which has also happened before)

New faces have come and gone. We have many ages, from guys/girls at college to retirees, and some of us have been coming for the entirety of the group’s existence.

(Thanks to Tim Shearin, Ryan Delp and Dan Sailer for helping with this bit)