Building & Sustaining Lacrosse Programs In Non-Traditional Markets

1 About NTSA 2Starting 4Sustaining 3Building

1

Our Structure All Volunteer Board & Staff Board includes members from the communities we serve 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Charitable Organization

Benefit of 501(c)(3) Status Seek charitable donations Pursue community support Grant eligibility Fill the gaps left by for-profit ventures that are often economically inaccessible and less inclusive Credibility

Our Mission To provide no-cost and low-cost athletic opportunities to the youth of the Northeast Tennessee to get them active and improve their overall well-being.

Our Goals Offer Diverse Programs Remove barriers of cost, distance, and athletic ability Improve accessibility to athletics Get kids active and healthy Empower a generation thru sport

Who We Serve 8 Rural Counties in NE TN 42% of Kids on free or reduced lunch 17% of kids are considered obese $33,795 Per Capita Income

Importance of Inclusion Make athletics accessible no matter income status and athletic ability Grow sport at a quicker pace Meet the physical, emotional, and social development needs of at-risk youth Provide opportunity for personal growth Creating programs that serve at-risk and low-income populations provides grant funding opportunities

2 Getting Started

Challenges Non-Traditional Market Accessibility/Inclusivity Funding Support Resources

Non-Traditional Market Rural Low income Distance between cities Create interest in communities where traditional sports dominate

Our Solution Establish teams in larger cities and utilize school fields that are central and accessible Minimize costs to participate Rotate games between cities in the league Create awareness through Free Try lacrosse events Marketing campaign through social media Flyers in schools Press releases to promote the history, uniqueness, and benefits of lacrosse to local media.

Accessibility/Inclusivity Affordability Inclusion of at-risk populations Equitable playing time Emphasis on developing skills rather than wins/losses

Our Solution Scholarships, Equipment Loan Program, and Payment Plans Created Boys and Girls Club Scholarship program Established policies that require equitable playing time from U9 to U15 Adopted PCA principles and focus on player strengths and opportunities for growth

Funding Start Up Costs Player & Field Equipment Fields League website Operational Expenses

Funding Golf tournament, popcorn fundraiser, Indiegogo campaign, sponsorships, registration fees Received donated sticks from Warrior, established partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, purchased 45 starter sets of lacrosse equipment and purchased 54 helmets Acquired free field space from local schools and minimized field rentals to game days Utilized the free Blue Sombrero platform through our partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods Collected donations in addition to registration fees through league website to replenish cash flow

Support Resources Coaches Officials Game Day Volunteers Community Partners

Support Resources Through social media, networking, print media, and Free Try Lacrosse events, we acquired coaches NTSA admin team worked towards completing Level 1 Certification and served as officials Was able to utilize NTSA and parent volunteers to run game days Partnered with schools for fields, received sponsorships from community businesses, and received access to field space for game day from local Parks and Rec department

Free Sport Mini-Clinics

1 st Game Day and Equipment Distribution

Youth Lacrosse League Yr1

Building 1 3

Build the Program Funding Player Recruitment Coach and Official Development Community Recognition

Funding From Multiple Wells Corporate Grants Dick’s Sporting Goods Sports Matters Walmart/Sam’s Club Community Grants US Lacrosse First Sticks Sponsorships League Sponsors Organizational Partners Fundraiser Sponsorships Fundraisers IndieGoGoPopcornGolf Tourney Grants Local Parks & Rec Grants Private and Foundation Grants Federal Grants

Sponsorships: Field Sponsors Scoring Table Sponsor Halftime Sponsor Game Day Sponsors Sideline Banner Sponsors Jersey Sponsors Shorts Sponsors Newsletter Sponsor Learn More lax.ntsasports.org Lacrosse League Sponsor Options Sponsorships are dynamic and not static Provides community awareness for corporate involvement and promotes sponsor partner businesses

Field Sponsorship

Scoring Table Sponsor

Game Day Sponsor

What does this look like?

Funding Results Raised over $14K through Dick’s Sporting Goods Sports Matters Campaign Received $1,500 from Walmart and Sam’s Club Community Grants Program Received 30 sets of equipment through US Lacrosse First Sticks Program Raised over $4,000 through sponsorships and donations Raised over $7,000 collectively via fundraisers

Player Recruitment Expanded Boys & Girls Club Program Volunteered and taught lacrosse in school PE classes & Boys & Girls Club Continued to offer Free Try Lacrosse events Placed flyers and yard signs at schools Used professional style team logos & jersey designs to attract interest

Team Logos

Team Jerseys Jersey Designs Courtesy of OT Sports

Coaches & Officials Reimbursement program Parent field helpers Hosted Level 1 CEP Course with Duke Whelan instructing Internship program with local colleges Junior Officials Program

Community Recognition Partnering with local colleges & municipalities Partnering with school systems NTSA Coach was a finalist for community volunteer award Board members serving on CVB committee Involved in a strategic plan to bring a multi-sport complex to our region

Net Result Expanded league into 2 more cities Grew program from 54 players our first year to over 170 in year 2 Equipped over 130 players through ELP Provided 12 Boys and Girls Club Scholarships Increased the number of coaches and officials We are at the table with Parks and Rec and City Officials on discussions involving youth athletics

Youth Lacrosse League Yr2

4 Sustaining Momentum Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Keys to Sustain the Program Increase funding Expand organizational structure Expand programming Coach and official development Further exhibit credibility

Increase Funding Expand sponsorship opportunities Host fundraising event each quarter: Polar Plunge - Winter Dodgeball Tournament - Spring Golf tournament – Summer Mini-Golf Tournament – Fall Hired grant writers to seek programming grants Integrate Aplos Donation management platform to improve ability to track and follow up with donors and sponsors Host lacrosse tournaments

Expand Organizational Structure Board Director of Athletic Programming Director of Grants and Fundraising Events and Marketing Director Lacrosse League Manager City Manager Marketing Coordinator Player Recruitment Sponsor/Donor Coordinator CoachesTeam Manager Players Parents

Expand Programming Add two new cities to program Expand high school program Add girls youth and high school lacrosse programs Host Low-Cost Lacrosse Tournaments SyckStyx Smoky Mountain Youth Lacrosse Tourney Stars & Stripes High School Lax Tourney Field of Screams Tourney

Expand Programming

Coach & Official Development Earn CEP Level 1 Trainer certification Host CEP Level 1 Men’s and Ladies Game Clinics in Fall Establish Lacrosse Officials Association for NE TN

Further Exhibit Credibility Earn Gold Stick Standard Level 2 CEP Certification for coaches Acquire National Youth Sports Administrators Association membership

QUESTIONS?

Building & Sustaining Lacrosse Programs In Non-Traditional Markets