Panama Player Spotlight: Anthony

Player Spotlight: Anthony

Bocas Town Practice, Panama

Age: 8

Grade: 3rd

Favorite Subject: Science

I first met Anthony during LtN’s second week here at the Bocas Community Center. From the get go, he was super interested in this new sport called lacrosse. After picking up the stick, Anthony started coming to every practice - falling in love with the sport as so many of us do.

But a few months in, Anthony stopped coming to LtN practices. I was concerned about him, I was confused why he was not attending, because I knew how much he loved playing.

One day, I saw Anthony on the street and asked him why he was not coming anymore. He replied saying it was too far away, but that he was really missing practice and wishes he could come back.

FYI: The beach we practice on is in the middle of Bocas town. While it’s a relatively central location, kids come from all over the island to attend. Lots of times, our practice is the only place for kids to play an organized sport – there’s mens’ pick-up games all over, but having a safe space for children to engage in sports and learning is rare.

I really hated the idea that Anthony would have to give that up because of distance. After hearing this, I told him I would pick him up before practice time. So I did. We walked together to practice the next week, and shortly after Anthony returned to our practices.

Anthony and teammates at LtN Practice during W&L and CNU Lacrosse’s service trip week.

Now, Anthony is one of our best students. Not only is he invested in the sport, but when other kids are acting out or goofing off he is right there telling them to stop or helping me explain things.

He is a true captain, embodying the mission of LtN. I’m proud to say that through LtN, Anthony has found a space to demonstrate and develop these traits on a weekly basis. Anthony is a great demonstration of our initial programmatic success in Bocas, and I am so excited to watch him develop into an even better leader with practice.

— Caroline Rath, Panama Program Director

Brennan Takes Sports Philanthropy into his Own Hands

Roughriders 8th Grader, Brennan, has built himself an impressive resume. As a club lacrosse player with a passion for using sport for good, Brennan has taken sports philanthropy into his own hands from a young age.

LtN first heard from Brennan in the spring of 2018 when he requested to volunteer in our after-school programming with the Boys and Girls Club in Charlottesville. To summarize his experience, Brennan reflects:

“The women that I worked with [running LtN’s Charlottesville programs] were incredibly patient coaches, knowledgeable and professional as leaders of the volunteers. They showed me how to approach the very young students so that they could either fall for the sport of lacrosse in the same way that I have, or just have a fantastic time. I was given leadership opportunities to engage students, and frankly I got better with each chance that I was given.. I walked away from my experience a much better leader. I will 100% volunteer again this summer.”

While we were delighted to have Brennan as a volunteer who is enthusiastic and motivated about LtN’s mission, Brennan had more in mind. In the previous year, Brennan organized a lacrosse tournament to raise money and awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We were honored to receive word from Brennan after his volunteer experience in Charlottesville that he and his teammates decided to include Lacrosse the Nations in their 2018 Lacrosse My Heart event.

As a sport-for-development organization, we aim to be a catalyst for young leaders. By employing something that we all know and love - lacrosse - players, coaches, and fans can impact lives and create momentum for larger community involvement in philanthropy. We’re thrilled that LtN’s programs can stand alongside Lacrosse My Heart’s charity partners, but the true honor is promoting a cause that motivates youth to step up and lead others to action. In Brennan’s reflection of his event which took place this October, he stated:

“I am amazed at how much every guy stepped up to make a difference raising money for important organizations like Lacrosse the Nations and playing their hardest to make the crowd feel excited about the effort. It was a fantastic day.”

CJ Sets the Bar High as an LtN Ambassador

CJ first discovered LtN Costa Rica during a family vacation in Playa Potrero. From the moment he heard about LtN’s mission, he was ready to get involved. Since then, CJ has worked single-handedly throughout his spring season as an ambassador for our cause, raising awareness and funds for our programs. CJ topped off his spring efforts with a trip back to Playa Potrero to play lax with some old friends of LtN…

“It has been an exciting year working with LtN! I first learned about the organization while on vacation in Costa Rica with my family over a year ago. The philosophy of the program really hit home for me. I love lacrosse, so giving kids who are less fortunate than I am an opportunity to learn the game, plus enrich their lives academically, meant a lot.

“I spent my spring season reaching out to friends and family along with my club lacrosse coach to raise awareness and money to support Lacrosse the Nations. I was fortunate to raise over $1,100 for the organization. I then traveled to Costa Rica this past August to work with the kids involved in the local community center run by past LtN partner, Abriendo Mentes.

“The director of the program, Rachael, was amazing in helping set up the equipment and sending out announcements to the community that I would be there to play with the kids. I also worked with a man named Mario who heads up the computer classes at Abriendo Mentes. I had so much fun playing with the kids and also practicing my Spanish!

“Even though there was a language barrier, the love of the game made communicating easy.  It was an incredible experience which I hope to participate in again next summer. I also want to raise my goal in future fundraising for such a great organization. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of LtN.”

CJ Boustany