On November 4, 2023, the Oro Valley Lacrosse Club will host a USA Lacrosse sponsored clinic to introduce the sport of lacrosse to young players in the Tucson metropolitan area. Boys and girls ages 5 through 14 are invited to participate in this clinic at Naranja Park, in Oro Valley and learn more about the “fastest game on two feet.”
Over the past decade, participation in the sport of lacrosse has expanded west and it has become one of the fastest growing sports in Arizona. “Participation in boys’ and girls’ lacrosse is no longer limited to the traditional hotbeds in the northeast” notes Doug Charters, President of the Oro Valley Lacrosse Club. “We are now seeing homegrown Arizona players on the rosters of major college programs throughout the country.”
While the opportunity to play lacrosse is relatively new in Arizona, it is a sport with a long history. Lacrosse has been played by Native American communities for centuries making it North America’s oldest sport. Across the sport, from youth programs to professional teams, there is a deep respect for the game’s origins. It is noteworthy that a Native American team participated in this past summer’s World Championship, earning the Bronze Medal and the admiration of many young players.
Locally, opportunities to play lacrosse are growing and there are now programs in Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills, and Vail. There are also boys’ and girls’ club teams at Salpointe. In Maricopa County, there are boys’ and girls’ programs stretching from Ahwatukee to Anthem.
The Oro Valley Lacrosse Club started several years ago with a single team for high school boys. The club now sponsors both boys and girls age-group teams for players age 5 through high school. While not yet an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) sponsored sport, Oro Valley teams participate in statewide leagues that operate under the auspices of the sport’s governing body, USA Lacrosse.
The November 4 Pick-Up-and-Play clinic is a collaborative effort between Oro Valley Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse to grow the game. The clinic will be free and all required equipment will be provided. Clinic participants will receive a practice pinnie and instruction from coaches who played the game at several of the premier collegiate programs in the country, including the US Naval Academy, Syracuse University, the University of Denver, and Salisbury State University. In addition to receiving instruction on the basics of the game, participants will be given information on how they can join a local team and be a part of the great game of lacrosse.
To learn more or register for the free clinic visit OROVALLEYLACROSSE email: orovalleylax@gmail.com
Oro Valley Lacrosse
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