The Girls Lacrosse Club National Championship will be held the weekend of July 17-19, 2009, in Maryland. In its second year, the tournament will have over 200 high school age and over 100 middle school age club teams representing the stars of tomorrow in girls lacrosse. Teams from all around the country vie for trophies and probably more importantly, the notice from among the hundreds of college lacrosse coaches who will be in attendance.
Begun in 2008 by Good Counsel Head Coach Michael Haight and Bethesda Chevy Chase Head Coach Jenna Ries, the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD will be the site of most of the high school games while Muldoon Farms in Poolesville, MD will be the site of many of the 2012 games, including their playoff and championship games on July 19 and will host the middle school playoffs on July 18.
Teams from all across the US will be participating including teams from the northeast, Midwest, and west. Girls lacrosse is a growth sport and high school and even college programs are growing nationwide. According to US Lacrosse, lacrosse is considered to be America’s first sport. It was born of the North American Indian, christened by the French, and adapted and raised by the Canadians. Modern lacrosse has been embraced by athletes and enthusiasts of the United States and the British Commonwealth for over a century.
The sport of lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse. Size is not a requirement. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse and the value of each depends on the field position of the player.
Equipment is relatively inexpensive for girls who play with a stick or crosse and goggles. The combination of the 2 pieces of mandatory equipment can run under $100 and less if purchased used. Equipment can run much higher as the girl develops expertise and begins to specialize at a particular position. Goalie equipment is more expensive, however, girls lacrosse will be much less expensive than boys lacrosse where helmets, gloves, and pads are additional requirements.
US Lacrosse is the governing board of lacrosse in the US, setting rules and operating a magazine for its members. Most clubs require US Lacrosse membership on an annual basis. US Lacrosse also organizes a national boys and girls team and U-19 teams for both sexes. US Lacrosse works hard to promote the sport worldwide, offering support for middle school and high school teams, club teams, and college programs. Rules can be changed at the state high school athletic association level, and in girls lacrosse there is some variability, particularly related to the physicality of the sport.
The Club National Championships were won in 2008 by the 2009 Nems in the “A” class and by the Checkhers Elite 2011 in the “B” class. The “A” class is largely teams comprised of rising high school seniors while the “B” class is teams with rising sophomores and juniors. In 2009, an additional 2012 class has been added as well as a middle school championship.
Results will be posted at www.clubchampionship.net following the July 19 championships. And go to www.uslacrosse.org for more information on boys and girls lacrosse.
