By conducting the Orlando First Stick lacrosse pilot program, I am looking to provide minority and at-risk girls with the opportunity to learn to play the sport of lacrosse. Currently girls are at-risk in our community in regards to teen obesity, drugs,
smoking, and pregnancy. I want to engage girls of color in a sport that otherwise might not be readily available to them.
Playing lacrosse will enhance values such as confidence, self-esteem, leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship. It will foster friendships, counter youth obesity, and help provide access to college scholarship opportunities. The funding will be used to buy
equipment for the girls.
My goals are to:
1. Assist minority girls to develop the skills to play lacrosse at the youth and high school level.
2. Encourage organizers to develop girls teams in their neighborhoods/schools
3. Breakdown barriers to participation by providing skills, equipment and coaching expertise.
The City of Orlando has agreed to allow me to do a 6-week pilot program during their summer camp program. To make the project sustainable; each girl needs to have their own equipment to use during camp and to take home following the 6-week session.
Girls will practice 3 days a week for 1.5 hours each day. In addition to coaching myself, I will also utilize experienced guest (volunteer) coaches and volunteer high school varsity players (my teammates). Girls will learn basic stick skills (throwing,
catching, cradling and shooting). They will also learn teamwork and what it means to be part of a team. Hopefully, once the pilot program is completed, the City will assist the girls in forming an afterschool team in the fall that will participate in one
of the local middle school or club lacrosse leagues. This would also enable the team to qualify for “NewStart” grant funding offered by USLacrosse.
