Chapter Recognition Program presents THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA CHAPTER with the October 2009 Award!
The Southwest Virginia Chapter of US Lacrosse, the newest and sixth chapter in Virginia which represents the Roanoke Valley area, began operations in January 2009 after an extensive four month US Lacrosse certification process. Chosen as a US Lacrosse Fast Break Initiative Site, the chapter has made impressive progress in a short time under the direction, energy and vision of Andy Blanton and 21 Board members.
Their area of focus is continued growth and expansion of lacrosse into youth leagues and high schools in their service area. Since the VHSL (Virginia High School League) declared lacrosse an official State sport just three years ago, the interest and potential is enormous. Chapter membership was 463 in inception in January and is expected to quickly increase because the Shenandoah Valley areas and neighboring counties are embracing lacrosse. The chapter has already:
Hosted a successful kick off fundraiser event in conjunction with the Virginia Tech girls lacrosse program, holding a girls lacrosse clinic for 238 girls before the ACC Women's Championship game
Secured 11 corporate sponsorships
Received a New Start equipment grant from US Lacrosse for a new boys lacrosse club
Established an impressive chapter website to serve as a central source of information on all lacrosse activities in their service area
Held a US Lacrosse Men's Officials Clinic at Roanoke College and trained 11 new men's officials
Hosting a US Lacrosse Level I boys and girls coaches clinic this month with 50 already signed up
Learn more about this chapter at www.swvla.ialax.com or contact Andy Blanton at ablanton3@cox.net or 540-521-2183
Chapter Recognition Program presents THE MAINE CHAPTER with the August 2009 Award!
When you speak with Jamie Chamberlain, President of the Maine Chapter of US Lacrosse, one soon realizes his passion for and diverse involvement in lacrosse. He is a High School coach, college umpire and chapter leader. The Maine Chapter located in the Portland, Maine demographic area provides state wide support to boys and girls lacrosse in the more populous southern part of the state and to the rural north, each often requiring different leadership, direction and development. Their no frills web site is one of the strengths of their chapter, disseminating information to a broad population. It is organized, informative, comprehensive and easy to follow. It covers many areas of lacrosse involvement from youth to adult, for coaches, officials, club teams and even posting of our chapter newsletter and college lacrosse TV schedules. It's worth the time to sign on and admire the information they provide. Some of their past sponsored events include:
Level I boys clinic
Held tryouts for and organized a US Lacrosse Festival team
Sponsored a scholarship for a coach to attend the US Lacrosse Convention
Helped organize tryouts for the Upper New England HS Girls National Tournament Team entry
PCA Workshop
Attendance at the Chapter Leadership Conference and US Lacrosse Convention
Learn more about this chapter at www.mainelacrosse.net
