Name of your Lacrosse Team/ League Name of Meeting Date/Time

LACROSSEHistory Deemed the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse has a history that spans centuries and is the oldest sport native to the North American continent. Rooted in Native American ritual and religion, the game was often played to resolve conflicts, prepare for war, heal the sick and build strength.

Until the mid-1930s, men's and women's lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment. At that time, men's lacrosse rules began evolving dramatically, while women's lacrosse continued to remain true to the game's original rules. LACROSSEHistory

Object of both men’s and women’s lacrosse is to score more goals than the opposing team by shooting the ball into the opponent’s netted goal Women's rules allow 12 players on the field, limit stick contact, prohibit body contact and therefore, require little protective equipment Men's lacrosse rules allow 10 players on the field and some degree of stick and body contact but violence is neither condoned nor allowed LACROSSE General Overview

Lacrosse is played primarily in the spring Resembles strategies of basketball and hockey or field hockey on a field similar to a soccer field Players use sticks with aluminum alloy or titanium handles and plastic heads with mesh- or leather-strung pockets to catch, throw, scoop and shoot a solid rubber ball Games involve quick sprints, passes, a motion offense and shots on goal LACROSSE General Overview

Over the past decade, number of men, women and youths playing lacrosse has increased another 8.4% each year to reach the estimated 568,021 people playing today Level __ 2009_ Youth125, , ,271 High School100, , ,624 College 20,293 29,822 31,614 Professional Post-College 7,563 10,071 11,342 Total 253, , ,230 LACROSSEGrowth

Lacrosse is a fully-sponsored NCAA championship sport for both men and women 2009 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (Varsity and Club) Men:……………………………………………………. 18,746 Women:……………………………………………….. 12,868 Total:…………………………………………………… 31,614 No. College Players Annually 2001:……………………………………………………… 20, :……………………………………………………… 23, :……………………………………………………… 24, :……………………………………………………... 23, :……………………………………………………… 24, :……………………………………………………… 26, :……………………………………………………… 28, :……………………………………………………… 29, :……………………………………………………… 31,614 LACROSSE Growth – College Snapshot

2008 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (NFHS & USL Data) Boys:……………………………………………………… 136,710 Girls:……………………………………………………… 90,914 Total:…………………………………………………….. 227,624 Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Boys 10-yr 1.Bowling …………………………………………………… % 2.Lacrosse……………………………………………………….175.0% 3.Indoor Track………………………………………………… % 4.Ice Hockey………………………………………………….. …39.2% 5.Water Polo…………………………………………………………. 38.1% Growth Rates of NFHS Sports Girls 10-yr 1.Lacrosse…………………………………………………… % 2.Bowling……………………………………………………… % 3.Ice Hockey………………………………………………… % 4.Water Polo………………………………………………… % 5.Golf……………………………………………………………. 38.0% LACROSSE Growth – High School Snapshot

Data collected from the US Lacrosse’s 63 regional chapters following the 2009 calendar year indicated more then 297,000 youth players played lacrosse. Number Youth Players Annually 2001:………………………………………………. 125, :………………………………………………. 137, :………………………………………………. 150, :………………………………………………. 186, :………………………………………………. 204, :………………………………………………. 220, :………………………………………………. 241, :………………………………………………. 265, :………………………………………………. 297,271 LACROSSE Growth – Youth Snapshot

Our Mission Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. Our Vision We envision a future which offers people everywhere the opportunity to discover, learn, participate in, enjoy and ultimately embrace the shared passion of the lacrosse experience. US LACROSSE One for All – and here to help

Largest, all-encompassing resource for lacrosse knowledge Volunteer-based organization - national board of directors and executive committee with equal representation from the men’s, women’s and youth games Staff of more than 50, plus volunteers and interns  501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization relies on membership dues, annual giving grants, endowments, sponsorships to achieve organizational mission and vision  Membership base grown to 297,271 in 2009 US LACROSSE One for All – and here to help

Research shows men’s and women’s lacrosse to be relatively safe compared to other commonly played team sports Most injuries are minor strains, sprains and contusions, but more significant injuries can and do occur Sport Science and Safety Committee of US Lacrosse is sponsoring research to monitor these injuries, better understand their mechanisms and design preventive programs Visit for helpful articles, links and contact information regarding lacrosse science and safetywww.uslacrosse/safety LACROSSE “So How Safe is Lacrosse?”

Lacrosse offers sport option for athletes of all weights, shapes and sizes Lacrosse is a great preparation for other sports that require strength, speed and agility Lacrosse can offer coaches and officials of other sports opportunities in off-seasons from other sports Lacrosse offers opportunity for student-athletes - one that may not be available in other sports - to continue sports participation in college through growing number of divisional and club programs LACROSSE “What about Concerns for a Negative Impact on Our Other Sports?”

New Start Program Free, multi-level developmental assistance program offering industry’s most complete package of start- up materials for first year teams needing guidance on getting started Details and tips on everything from budgeting development to securing and lining fields Get a “To Do” checklist, promo DVD, manual, and CD of helpful documents, plus more LACROSSE “So How Do We Get Started?”

US Lacrosse Regional Chapters Connect one of our 63 regional volunteer- based US Lacrosse boards for assistance, information and even grant assistance specific to your location Most up-to-date contact list at “So How do We Get Started?”

Outfitting boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams costs less than football or ice hockey team Boys’ lacrosse: Helmets, shoulder pads, rib pads, Arm pads, gloves and mouth guards required (~$250- $400 per player) Girls’ lacrosse: Protective eyewear, mouth guard mandatory, gloves optional; full protective equipment, including a chest and throat protector, required only for goalkeeper (~$125-$175 per player) LACROSSE “What About Equipment?”

Even if school or participant funding and local grants are not available, US Lacrosse can help… LACROSSE “What About Equipment?” Even if school or participant funding and local grants are not available, US Lacrosse can help… Equipment Grant Program: Equipment grants can provided sticks and protective gear to qualified first year teams The application is typically available on in April and due to US Lacrosse in mid-June Special Thanks to our Sponsors

Coaches’ Education Program - Online Courses: Interactive coaches’ resource to teach new/developing coaches philosophy, skills and strategies for boys’ or girls’ lacrosse ($25, available 24 hours a day through Instructional Clinics: These clinics provide the hands-on, in- person interaction based on the knowledge you received from the course. For a schedule and to learn more please visit, Level 1 Certification: In 2006, the US Lacrosse Board of Directors approved the first-ever, nationally recognized lacrosse coaches certification initiative based on Level 1 of the Coaches’ Education Program Components: - CEP Level 1 Online Course completed - CEP Level 1 Instructional Clinic completed - PCA Double Goal Coach 1 Course completed - Background check through National Center Safety Initiatives LACROSSE “What About Coaches?”

Positive Coaching Alliance - US Lacrosse offers grants for workshops provided by partner PCA to provide tools needed for coaches, officials, administrators and parents to understand, educate and communicate to players the balance between athletic achievement and character development US Lacrosse Convention: 5,000 coaches, officials and administrators come together annually in January to expand their knowledge through helpful educational sessions Numerous books, videos, manuals, etc. offered through Online Gift Shop “What About Coaches?”

Men’s Officials and Women’s Umpires Training Programs: - Nationwide training clinics for men’s and women’s officiating - Resources such as manuals, videos and senior officials’ mentorship Resources for Recruiting and Retaining Officials: Resources such as a free publication to help programs and leagues around the country plan for and secure lacrosse officials; available through “What About Officials?”

Camp Scholarship Program: Special tuition waivers from camp directors to connect players aged 6-18 with financial need to camp experience US National Teams Clinic: Youth and high school players learn from the world’s elite players— members of the US Lacrosse-coordinated Men’s and Women’s National Teams—annually at sites across the country LACROSSE “What’s Available to Help New Players?”

Retention & Acquisition Lacrosse Magazine – 12 issues Insurance Staff Support/Information Center Monthly Newsletter Partnership Benefits Access to Assistance Programs Access to Special Events Regional Chapter Network Specific Benefits by Member Category Resource Material Discounts And more! US LACROSSE Membership Benefits

Your Team Put your team name as the title and explain what you have done already to help form this team such as: developing your mission, vision, and goals; securing some or all of necessary funding, player interest and leadership, trained coaches and officials; creating a board and booster club. Also provide participation statistics fro the team if applicable, and what you anticipate future growth to be.

Funding and Support for this team Explain how you will fund and support the cost of this team with recommendations and ideas from the New Start manual

US Lacrosse and Community Support Explain how you will use the support of US Lacrosse, your local US Lacrosse Chapter and any other outside support such as sponsors to start and support your team. See the information about US Lacrosse Chapters in your New Start manual.

Proposed Timeline You’ll want to show that you are organized and have a plan for forming your team. Present a proposed timeline of events (including due dates for registration, recruiting coaches, meeting dates, fundraising events etc and a proposed game schedule.

School Support Explain what you will now need from the school and/or town-remember make it as easy as possible to say yes!

Acknowledgements Be sure to thank the proper people for their time, for listening and for their consideration, and others who have helped you get started. Be sure to also list your contact information at the end of the presentation.