THE EVENT
This Memorial Day weekend (May 29-30) a select team of high school players from Washington and Oregon will compete at the US National Lacrosse Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. A team from the Northwest region was first invited to this tournament, the largest women's lacrosse tournament in the world, in 1995. Last year's Northwest team posted an impressive 3-1 record. Several of last year's team members are returning to play in this annual event.
In preparation for this tournament, the team will also be competing at Portland and University of Washington invitationals against local college and club teams. Last year's team was very competitive placing second in the University of Washington tournament. In addition to playing and practicing, the team will be fundraising by selling Northwest lacrosse t-shirts, participating in car washes, and holding a lacrosse clinic for middle school girls.
THE SPORT
Statistics show that lacrosse is the fastest growing US sport in colleges and high schools. There are numerous opportunities for girls to play lacrosse beyond high school in club-sponsored teams in developing regions to Division I East Coast schools. Most of our past regional team players are now playing lacrosse in college. A 1996-1998 team member, a two-time high school All-American, is now playing on scholarship at a top Division I school.
On the West Coast and other developing lacrosse areas, high school is usually the introductory point for the sport. Lacrosse is an excellent new sport for female athletes because it combines the principles of popular sports such as soccer and basketball as well as incorporating sprinting and endurance running. Players can be competitive even after a few years of being introduced to the sport. Although lacrosse has only been popular in the Northwest for a decade, our talented athletes are able to compete at the national level.
SPONSORSHIP NEEDED
The Northwest team will consist of 18 players accompanied by two coaches. Expenses include airfare, lodging, food, and transportation. The overall cost of the event is estimated to be $11,000 ($550 each). Players are responsible for paying all of their expenses not covered by fundraising. Any donation would be much appreciated by our athletes. Thank you in advance.
Contact Christina Burnap at [mailto:[email protected]] with any questions.
Contributions should be made payable to:
Northwest Schoolgirls Regional Team
Send to: Northwest Schoolgirls Regional Team
C/o Heather Roffey
5532 39th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105