By: Ryan Luke
Across parks and fields in the city of Jacksonville, one local organization is changing what it means to socialize as an adult.
Jax Fray, a social sports league for adults 21 and over, is giving people the opportunity to stay active, while building friendships and providing a much-needed break from the stress of their daily lives.
For many participants, the appeal of the league starts with its alternative environment, where they are substituting drinks at a bar for kickballs, soccer balls and time at the beach.
One kickball player named Addie Hall, who is a mother, loves this change and thinks that it is an important shift from the typical night out that centers around going to a bar for drinks.
“This is a nice alternative to that because it’s a way to do something that’s more active and healthy,” Hall said.
While the leagues offer a physical outlet, the effects and impact that the organization has on the players extends far beyond the game itself. Many people describe the experience as a way to step away from the stress of everyday life and reset during the week.
“Whether I am in a good mood before I get here, usually I am in a good mood when I leave, so it doesn’t really matter what the day brought me or what the work week has afterwards,” Patrick Dunne said. Dunne is a former host of the leagues and has said that not only is the experience rewarding for the players, but for the staff as well.
Another key aspect of the league is the way that it has provided a platform and a place for people new to Jacksonville to grow their social circles and make connections with people that they may have never met without the league.
Dylan Johnson is an example of this, as he joined Jax Fray after moving to Jacksonville in August, and found a soccer team with people that he really bonded with. “We started with 10 people on my team, and it grew over time, and everyone on my team I love. They’re great people,” Johnson said.
Skyler Roman, who is new to the River City and plays beach volleyball with Jax Fray, said it has left a huge imprint on him and provided a group he looks forward to spending time with each week. “We have a lot of memories. I mean they are my best friends now; I go out with them all the time and communicate with them all the time. I couldn’t ask for anything else,” Roman said.
Those who are already familiar with Jacksonville, like Hall, are thankful for the connections they’ve made because of how much it’s permeated their lives.
“I’ve had thanksgiving with some of these people, I’ve met lifelong, and we’ve been with each other through the ups and downs,”—Hall said.
With players from different backgrounds, careers and stages of life coming together, Jax Fray continues to create a diverse environment full of support and community, while reshaping how people connect in Jacksonville.