The Scoop // us lacrosse
SIX SIGNS OF A GOOD YOUTH LEAGUE
Gold Stick Program provides blueprint for best lacrosse experience
BY PAUL OHANIAN
Timmy is a youth lacrosse player in the Midwest. His team usually practices at a venue on the outskirts of his small town. There are several fields, but no buildings visible. If a storm comes suddenly, the only options for cover are the vehicles in the parking lot and the small, open-sided pavilion adjacent to the picnic area. As Timmy’s parent, do you know what his team will do if lightning strikes in the middle of practice? Do you know where to meet him if you did not stay for practice? What if you can’t reach Timmy’s coach on his cell phone? If Timmy’s team has an emergency action plan, and that plan was reviewed with all parents during the preseason meeting, then you already know the answers to these questions. That’s just one of the principles behind US Lacrosse’s Gold Stick Program, which advocates for developing the safest lacrosse experience for all participants. The Gold Stick standards present a framework of values that should be benchmarks for all youth sports programs. Wendell Lee, director of programs at US Lacrosse, identified six qualities of Gold Stick-caliber leagues.
GOLD STICK STANDARDS
20 LACROSSE MAGAZINE » october 2014
ADHERE TO ALL US LACROSSE YOUTH RULES AND AGE GUIDELINES.
CURRENT, WRITTEN POLICIES FOR LEAGUE GOVERNANCE
SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES IN PLACE
A Publication of US Lacrosse
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