FIRST STICK PROGRAM
“Without the First Stick Program, I don’t believe we would have lacrosse this year.” Those were the words of gratitude and appreciation by Kristin Ventresca, program administrator and coach for Montvale Lacrosse in Oakdale, Conn. Through Kristin’s efforts, Montvale applied for both a youth and high school girls’ US Lacrosse First Stick Program grant in 2012, and received both. This spring, Montvale will launch a
four-team youth program, as well as a girls’ club team at Montvale High that will play a 12-game schedule. After years watching players travel to neighboring towns to join teams, Montvale youth will populate their own teams. “Seeing the local kids walking around with their sticks is a great feeling,” Ventresca said.
The First Stick Program provided development grants to 102 teams nationwide in 2012. The initiative is designed to deliver comprehensive resources, equipment, US Lacrosse membership and coaches training to awarded teams during a two-year partnership with US Lacrosse. Through the grant, Montvale coaches were able to attend the 2013 US Lacrosse National Convention and benefi t from the educational and networking opportunities offered at the event. “Being face-to-face with so many trainers was a great experience for our coaches,” Ventresca said. “Just being at the convention and meeting with other vendors and suppliers opened so many other doors for us.”
Create Opportunity US Lacrosse is committed to removing the barriers preventing people from
participating in the lacrosse experience. We have numerous programs and initiatives designed to open the doors to a new generation of players.
CREATED A NEW DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION TASK FORCE “If we expect lacrosse to become the 100 percent inclusive sport that we all purport that it should be, then the manner in which we handle race, among other things, needs to be part of that discussion.”
- Chazz Woodson, Team USA and Ohio Machine FIRST STICK GRANTS AWARDED IN 2012 102
First Stick grants were awarded to programs in 31 states
$860,850
value of all grants, including equipment, memberships, coaching certifi cations, AEDs and Convention scholarships
2,652
youth and high school players and coaches reached by the First Stick Program
Physical education program grants awarded to schools in 34 states
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84