Game On! An Introduction to the Girls Game Kristine Wollam Director of Girls Lacrosse

History of Girls Lacrosse First womens game played at St. Leonards School in Scotland Rosabelle Sinclair established first womens lacrosse team at Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore Girls lacrosse mirrored mens lacrosse until the 1930s Non-contact sport Play with a shallow pocket and sloped sidewalls Rewards agility, quickness & speed, not brawn

To have fun To meet new friends Learn and improve new skills Affiliation Excitement Exercise and fitness Competitive challenge and winning Why do girls participate in sport?

Recruiting Tips Start young with an u9 or u11 team Fall under the umbrella of a larger club with the understanding of breaking out on your own Look to other sports Begin early in the off season offering clinics Before becoming an official NCJLA team schedule scrimmages with teams during season Be selfless

Importance of The COACH Tips for finding coaches- – Look for parents who have coached basketball and soccer and can learn as well as teach – Look to local high schools get to know the coaches and players – Contact your local college programs & ask for the names of recent graduates Teach the basic, core skills of the sport Introduce athletes to the culture of lacrosse Facilitate a positive and healthy practice and game environment Make sure coaches are qualified and can coach/teach your young athletes

Equipment Stick – Has no pocket (modified for U11 & U9) – Nylon & Leather strung (not mesh) with sloped sidewalls Ball – Yellow (regulation) Eye Gear Mouth Guard – Not Clear Gloves (optional) – Soft, similar to batting gloves Soft Helmet (optional)

Girls Lacrosse Field

Girls Divisions Varsity High School: 15 Teams U15 & U13 A Division: 16 Teams U15 & U13 B Division: 34 Teams U11: 20 Teams U9 7v7: 14 Teams Total Teams 2011 Season: 99

Scheduling Central schedule Team Registration December 16 Host Dates Due Jan 1 – 1 date per team per month Soft Rosters Due Jan 15 – Master Calendar Completed…Actual scheduling begins Final schedule released on January 31

Three Major Events Girls Umpire Training and Play Day: March 3 & 4 th – All divisions except GHS & U9 Girls End of Year Festival – Girls U15B, U13B, & U11 Girls End of Year Tournament and Championship – GHS, GU15A, GU13A

Questions… Contact me anytime! Kristine Wollam,