Program Support
We continually evaluate and upgrade our programs and services to better serve our membership. We provide access to US Lacrosse’s national programs, and additional programs that are coordinated through our local chapter. Here is a list of some of the national and local programs we offer:
National Program Support
Bridge Program
Emerging Groups Program
Fast Break Initiative
New Start Program
Post-Collegiate Club Start-Up Manual
Positive Coaching Alliance
Local Chapter Program Support
Camp Scholarship Program
Program Funding
Physical Education Curriculum for Schools
The US Lacrosse/Nationwide Parents’ Guide
Bridge Program
BRIDGE member programs vary in location, size, development and focus. Existing programs follow a model of using lacrosse to work with young people to bring positive influence, an appreciation of personal values and life-skill lessons to youth in communities not previously exposed to the sport.
Currently 14 affiliates across 9 states and the District of Columbia participate in the BRIDGE Program. US Lacrosse assists affiliated programs by giving them access to a variety of different resources. BRIDGE programs have utilized the coaches’ education program, officials’ education program, camp scholarships, new start program, youth equipment grants, sportsmanship card program, Positive Coaching Alliance partnership, NCIS partnership, participation in nationally run events and the national youth award programs to further the reach and scope of their organizations.
Emerging Groups Program
Are you considering the start of an inner-city youth lacrosse program? Are you already part of an effort that reaches out to children in your community who may not otherwise have opportunities to play lacrosse or other sports?
In 2008, the US Lacrosse Board of Directors approved the launch of the program, Emerging Groups, in order to allow US Lacrosse to better serve groups in inner-city or under-served communities. This program provides those groups with financial and resource assistance to build and sustain a lacrosse program.
When to apply: October, prior to starting the season
Groups selected into program: Early December (Equipment Received no later than March 15)
Benefits of becoming an Emerging Group
• Discounted US Lacrosse membership for players
(includes insurance coverage and Lacrosse Magazine)
• Equipment Grant; 4 package choices – restrictions apply
• Discounted access to Coaches Education Program Level 1 and 2 online courses and clinics; additional discounts on CEP educational DVD’s and resource materials
• NCSI Background checks for coaches/administrators
• PCA online training
Apply here: http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/emerging09application.doc
Fast Break Initiative
Fast Break, an initiative that started in 2005, is designed to infuse a fledgling lacrosse area with resources to launch the sport from the roots up through educating coaches, officials, players and administrators.
Fast Break targets an area which has a limited amount of lacrosse being played, but displays strong enthusiasm for the sport and a willingness to learn and work with US Lacrosse to grow the game responsibly. A Fast Break area should be ready to embrace US Lacrosse, membership within our organization and the resources which are associated with recognition as a US Lacrosse Chapter. For more information, please email fastbreak@uslacrosse.org.
New Start Program
The New Start Program provides guidance and resources to help new teams get off to the right start, Nearly 2,000 new teams have received start-up assistance through this US Lacrosse program. Applicants who complete the online application (linked above) are eligible to receive the New Start Manual.
The program offers a package of information including:
* The New Start Manual - a comprehensive guide on what it takes to get a lacrosse program started from information about recruiting coaches and officials to fundraising tips and more.
* A CD of helpful documents such as a lacrosse Power Point presentation to show your school or community administrator.
* The 10-minute promotional video “This is Lacrosse”
* An official men’s or women’s lacrosse rulebook
* A sample copy of the Parents’ Guide to the Sport of Lacrosse
* Sample issues of Lacrosse magazine
* A one-time discount on equipment through participating manufacturers (manufacturers contact information is listed in the New Start Manual.)
Post-Collegiate Club Start-Up Manual
Not ready to hang-up those lacrosse cleats and stick just yet? Then how about starting a post-collegiate lacrosse club in your area today! The Women’s Division Post Collegiate Council (WDPCC) presents the “Post-Collegiate Club Start-up Manual.” This comprehensive manual covers the bases of what you need to know and do to start and sustain a post-collegiate club. Click here for the manual: http://www.uslacrosse.org/programs/pdf/wdpcc_startupmanual.pdf
Positive Coaching Alliance
US Lacrosse and PCA share the following vision: To equip all coaches with the training and tools needed to become “Double-Goal Coaches”™, where goal #1 is striving to win; and goal #2, the more important one, is teaching life lessons via lacrosse.
No matter how many excellent coaches we already have, creating a positive organizational culture requires getting all constituents in our chapter, league or school program to be on the same page. The US Lacrosse-PCA Partnership is a vehicle to help fuel this positive culture.
The US Lacrosse-PCA Partnership helps us create the quality lacrosse programs we all desire, and provides every one of our athletes with a positive learning experience, while also giving leaders, coaches and parent the tools and training needed to play an active role in “Honoring the Game”.
PCA is an important presence within the lacrosse community and at US Lacrosse events, including the annual convention (January), the US Lacrosse Youth Festivals (June), and at the grassroots level within school lacrosse and youth programs nationwide.
Please visit the PCA web site, www.PositiveCoach.org, for more information, or contact Jason Sacks at jason_sacks@positivecoach.org or at 1.773.506.4744.
Camp Scholarship Program
Want to brush up on your game? Summertime means lacrosse camp time. The Camp Scholarship Program provides educational lacrosse opportunities for children between the ages of 6-18, made possible through generous tuition waivers by camp directors across the country. Since the inception of this program, over 900 children have attended camps through spots donated by camp directors nationwide.
Scholarship Information for Campers
Application Guideline and Program Requirements:
1. Eligibility for the program is based on financial need.
2. Camper must have a current US Lacrosse membership.
3. Scholarships are listed by regions, but applicants may apply for any scholarship available.
4. Applicants must list their order of camp preference on the application and must include a camp within their chapter area, if available.
5. Applicants listing camps within their chapter area as a first or second choice will be given priority for those camps.
6. Applicants unable to list a camp within their chapter area because there are no camps in their chapter area will also be given priority.
*PLEASE NOTE: It is the intention of US Lacrosse to fulfill as many applicants’ requests as possible and provide all applicants with camp scholarships; however, all applicants’ preferences may not be able to be accommodated.
7. Applicants may appeal to their local chapter for financial assistance with travel costs (applicable only to air, bus or rail fare), if available.
*PLEASE NOTE: Not all chapters have funds available to donate towards camper travel costs.
8. Section 1 of the application must be completed in full by the prospective camper.
9. Applicants must attach a letter of recommendation from either a coach or a community leader.
10. Please e-mail, mail or fax the completed application by the announced deadline to the address below.
Request an application at: sportdevelopment@uslacrosse.org.
Please contact Sarah Newman (snewman@uslacrosse.org) of the US Lacrosse Sport Development staff if you have further questions.
Program Funding
US Lacrosse - Pittsburgh Chapter will be providing funding for qualified programs. Program funding awards will be based on need and availability. If you need funding for your program to take flight, please contact the US Lacrosse - Pittsburgh Chapter at info@laxburgh.com.
Physical Education Curriculum for Schools
Have more fun in PE class by teaching lacrosse with our comprehensive, easy-to-use, student centered physical education curriculum! Lacrosse is a fast paced activity that keeps students moving and helps encourage higher fitness levels. This is currently the only lacrosse-specific school curriculum available and we’ve made it easy to implement it into your current physical education programs. To obtain more information, click here: http://www.uslacrosse.org/education/curriculum.phtml
The US Lacrosse/Nationwide Parents’ Guide
This online guide, sponsored by Nationwide® Insurance, serves as an introduction to the sport for parents who are relatively new to the game. The information provided - from game rules to coaching suggestions - is designed to help parents in their understanding of the sport. The guide can be found here: http://www.uslacrosse.org/education/parentsguide.phtml, and will be posted directly on this site in the near future.
