International Women's Day: A Look at Nica WLAX

Here in Nica, our style of lacrosse is a little different. Girls and boys play together. In past years, all of our players at Chiquilistagua and Club Hope played with men’s sticks as their only equipment. This made it easy for girls and boys to play equally and competitively on the same field. They had the same rules, the same gear, and the same love for the game.

This past fall, due to several generous donations and the rapid expansion of our programs, we were able to add helmets and gloves to all of our practices. With this addition, the game we play reaches a higher and more competitive level each day. Our players have the equipment to play harder while staying safe. While there are quite a few girls who enjoy this aspect, and continue to dominate the field, we are straying from the gender-neutral version of lacrosse we were once able play. Our practices are becoming more and more like the regulated boys’ games we know in the States. These recent changes combined with the presence of myself and local girls’ coach, Darian, have provided us with the opportunity to expand LtN Nicaragua to offer lacrosse instruction exclusively for girls.

We currently have 26 girls participating in co-ed practices. These girls will be able to continue to do so, with the additional option to attend girls-only sessions with women’s equipment. Princeton Women’s Lacrosse was generous enough to donate the first round of goggles and sticks to make these practices possible. The creation of a women’s program will take some time. Interest for the sport needs to grow organically – similarly to how we started our co-ed programs years back. I spend time at Chiquilistagua on Monday and Thursday afternoons, so that girls can join during recess or come outside of the co-ed practice time to receive girl-specific instruction. Right now, we have five girls who have been attending outside of co-ed participants, with new ones showing interest.

I think once more girls see these afternoon sessions, more interest will be generated. Lacrosse is still very much a foreign sport here. To a middle or high school aged girl, playing in full mens’ gear can be pretty intimidating. Being able to see girls throw around in space dedicated solely to women’s lacrosse, women’s instruction, and the building of a women’s team environment will attract more girls to explore this new and exciting sport. Once number rise, we can begin holding a full practice using all girls’ equipment and rules. Considering our recent program growth and current staff, this is the perfect time to make this expansion. With the experience of our old players and excitement of our new ones, I believe the girls’ program is going to take off with record speed!

LtN Scholarship Expansion

This school year, we were able spread our scholarship reach to more LtN athletes. You may know about our original LtN Scholars program, which awards one 6th grader in Costa Rica and one rising senior or one older player that has not been able to attend school in Nicaragua. Our LtN Scholar program developed out of need for change. In Costa Rica, receiving a high school education in the area of Potrero means travelling to the next town – a financial burden on many families. In Nicaragua, rising seniors who wish to go on to University can be dissuaded by financial barriers like needing to start work to support their families, or the costs of classes, supplies, and transportation. The LtN Scholarship program pays for our scholar’s school and supplies while also providing them with the opportunity to coach with LtN to receive a stipend to support their families while furthering their education. After expressing the needs of many other athletes in our programs, LtN was awarded the Bill Belichik Grant – giving us the opportunity to expand our reach.

This Spring, we provided 22 LtN players of various ages in Nicaragua with school supplies for the entire year. Eleven players from Chiquilistagua and eleven players from Club Hope were awarded with notebooks, geometric tools and graph paper, writing utensils, two full school uniforms, and two sport uniforms for gym class. While students can attend public primary and secondary school here, the costs for uniforms, books, and transportation can be overwhelming for families. This scholarship expansion helps these 22 players by lowering the costs associated with receiving education – encouraging the kids to remain in or return to school. Without the BFF Grant, none of this would be possible.

Under these scholarships, we aim to encourage good school performance and responsibility on and off the field. Players who have received supplies for the year are expected to maintain a 75% grade point average and attend study hall each day that we hold practice. Awarded players are also expected to come to every lacrosse practice unless they provide an excused absence.

Parents of children receiving the scholarship are expected to support their children with pursuing their scholarly responsibilities, helping ensure that they are attending school each day. In addition, scholarship parents stay informed by attending meetings with the coaches and staff of LtN. As liaisons, LtN coaches and program directors are responsible for the positive encouragement of scholarship players on and off the field. Coaches are present for study hall sessions and provide tutoring to all LtN students who need it.

Receiving an education in Nicaragua is not always a priority. With the help of the Bill Belichik Foundation, we are reinforcing the importance of education to our student athletes and how much we value it. Our first and foremost priority is to address the challenges of receiving education. Through their participation, student athletes can speak to and work with LtN coaches, volunteers, and staff to find the best avenues to make a change. Through the expansion of our scholarship program, we hope to encourage more kids to join LtN, making their own personal growth and development a part of their everyday lives.

Meet Costa Rica's 2017 LtN Scholar, Valentina!

With the start of 2017 underway, LtN Costa Rica has gained a new scholar, Valentina! Valentina is in 6th grade and travels to school outside of Potrero with her scholarship. We sat down with her to hear about her plans for the year and what she likes about LtN . . . 

How old are you?

12 years old.

Do you have any siblings?

Yes I have two sisters.

How long have you been playing lacrosse?

I’ve been playing lacrosse since the Lacrosse the Nations programs started in Potrero! So I believe it’s been about four years now.

Do you like defense or offense more?

I love defense. I think it’s more fun for me because I get to run after the other players and try to steal the ball from them. It’s a little bit harder than offense, but that makes it more fun!

How did you spend your vacation?

My vacation was good, I spent most of it with my family here in Potrero and also spent some time in San Jose. We went to the beach a lot and just hung out together.

How is your day-to-day schedule going to change now that you are an LtN scholar?

My schedule is going to change a lot now that I am an LtN Scholar and going to start studying at the Colegio. I leave for school around 7am and usually don’t return home until 5pm, so my day will be a lot busier. Because of this, it will be harder for me to participate in lacrosse practices throughout the week, but I will now be responsible for helping Carolina coach on the weekends in Potrero and Brasilito. It will be different to be in the new role as a coach, but I am very excited to work with the younger players and help them.

What are you most excited for this year?

I’m really excited to start school at the Colegio, I’m going to meet a lot of new people there and be able to make more friends. And of course I’m excited for lacrosse.

What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject is probably Español. I like English too, but I find it very hard.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a chef! I have a very big family, and I always have a lot of fun cooking for them and helping in the kitchen.