WA State Youth Team Heading to U15 National Championship - Players Wanted

Youth/HS Lacrosse Coaches:

The Washington Youth Lacrosse Community has been honored with an opportunity to participate in the 1st annual U-15 National Championship Tournament to be held in Baltimore, MD on July 8th – 10th, 2009. It’s now to pull together the best possible group of young players and coaches to represent Washington at this first of its kind event.

Key Information Points:

• Washington’s bid was accepted to be one of three teams representing the Mountain/Northwest Region (AK, CO,ID, MT, OR, UT, WA & WY). The other two teams from the MNW region are from Colorado.

• Players need to qualify under the USL definition of U-15, meaning a player’s birth year must be 1994 or later. The USL U-15 high school provision (No High School players in U-15 events) has been specifically REMOVED for this tournament. High school players may compete if they meet the U-15 age definition. A copy of each player’s birth certificate, passport or State picture ID must be presented at tournament sign-in.

• We are asking that potential players be nominated by their Coach. No more than 2-3 nominations per coach please unless special circumstances apply (“A” level spring teams or Select programs). Players can “self-nominate” themselves, but must be endorsed by a HS, MS or select team Lacrosse coach before an invitation will be awarded. BEING NOMINATED DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN INVITATION as we will need to limit the tryout to 100-150 players.

• Preliminary Try-out session – 3 hours – (All Players) April 19th, 2009

• Final Try-out session – 3 hours – (50 player cut) April 26th, 2009

•  Team selection (30 player cut) will be announced April 28th.

• Rosters must be to USL by May 1st.

• Practice will be held once a week (probably Sunday) through May, switching to 3 times a week in June. Location TBD.

• The traveling squad (20 players) will be announced on June 15th.

• The team will fly back east on Monday morning, July 6th. There will have a light workout and tour the tournament facility on Tuesday, July 7th. (Girls National Championship will be under way). A fun afternoon event will be planned. The tournament will begin July 8th with (3) games played within randomly selected 4 team pools. Bracket games begin on Thursday with each team playing at least two bracket games. Two teams advance to Friday’s Championship Game. Team will plan to stay in Baltimore Friday night and do some sightseeing on Saturday at the Smithsonian Institute and Capital Mall. The team flies home Saturday evening, July 11th.

Volunteers and Coaches Needed - Positions are available for people willing to coach and /or volunteer for the following roles:

• Team Coaching Positions (Practice and Traveling positions available)
• Logistics team
• Selection Team (Assist Coaches with drills/stopwatches to evaluate Players)

The nomination process will begin February 23rd. If you are interested in coaching and/or volunteering, please contact Rick Jenness at (M- 206-914-1996)