Judy Fong gives some insight on the USL National Convention, May 26-28, Memorial day Weekend

I'll admit, as a player in college, I had never considered going to the US Lacrosse National Convention. In fact, I don't even think I knew it existed. It wasn't until I became a youth coach after graduating that I learned about the convention. The bulk of the convention caters to coaches and officials, offering countless clinics for every aspect of the game. However, over the years, as the sport has continued to grow, the convention has become a great resource and meeting place for the post-collegiate movement.

Similar to last year, this year's convention will feature a general meeting for those interested in the women's post-collegiate lacrosse community. Anyone and everyone is invited to come to this forum. Are you looking to start a club team in your city and don't know where to start? Come and ask questions, get some advice, and hear from others who were once in the same position as you. Already have a team and are facing some issues? Come and vent, share your tales of woe, and find out if the WDPCC can help in some way. Have some ideas or suggestions for the WDPCC board members? Bring 'em, we'd be more than happy to hear what you have to say. More than just a networking resource, this meeting gives the women's post-collegiate club community a central place to come together, to share ideas, and to work together to make the post-collegiate world bigger and better for all of us. This year's convention schedule also includes a joint meeting with the men's post-collegiate club community for a little mingling and sharing of stories, concerns, news, and ideas.

While at the convention, it's impossible not to stop by the Vendor Village. With over 100 booths of lacrosse equipment, gear, and clothing, and with every major lacrosse brand represented, it's a great place to check out what's on the market and what's coming out for the new season. It's also a great chance to talk to company representatives and establish contacts for possible deals on club team gear.

And although the clinics are generally geared towards coaches and officials, some of them are quite entertaining, no matter what level on which you are attending. I have found that some of the clinics were actually helpful to me as a player. Even though I was attending most of those coaching clinics to learn how to be a better youth coach, I learned a lot more about the game in those clinics than I had ever learned on the field. Those clinics helped me to see the game on a much bigger level. And they definitely made me a better player, as my co-coach and I would literally spend hours trying to perfect all of the skills and drills we learned in order to teach them properly!

The 2007 US Lacrosse National Convention will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Philadelphia Marriott over Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend. Registration is not yet available, but make sure to mark your calendars! For more details and an in-depth description of this year's convention, please visit the official website at http://www.uslacrosse.org/events/convention06.phtml.

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