Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League Finishes Third Season
More than 70 players, coaches, and parents were at Patterson Park this past Saturday for the conclusion of the third season of the Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League (BYLL). Middle-school aged players from across the city had been coming to Patterson Park with their recreation centers throughout the month of June to play lacrosse, meet their peers, and socialize over hot dogs.
The Trilogy Foundation was able to donate sticks, jerseys, and shorts to more than 60 players throughout the season. We also provided all equipment, coaching, and league management. The players were able to experience a Pop Warner-esque experience free of charge.
The Trilogy Foundation could not have pulled this off alone, however. The BYLL is the result of numerous community partnerships. The Baltimore Department of Parks and Recreation , and Garry Jackson in particular, was instrumental in providing the fields, goals, transportation, and support needed to run the league and Tender Bridge, under the direction of Noel Acton, led the post-game festivities each week. Finally, our sponsors provided the funding necessary to raise our level of commitment to the players, even in these tough economic times.
Please check out the 2009 BYLL in Pictures page to see pictures from the league.
Patterson Park will become alive in June and July as over 170 Baltimore City kids participate in the BaltimoreYouth Lacrosse League and summer camp funded by the Trilogy Foundation in partnership with the Baltimore City Department of Parks and Recreation. Though they are taught the fundamentals of lacrosse, what they really walk away with are the valuable skills needed to succeed in everyday life. In the summertime they gather from various neighborhoods, recreation centers and backgrounds where they learn teamwork, confidence, discipline and competition through the game of lacrosse.
"We are able to engage some of the kids that in the past have been
very hard to get and keep in the league."
-Gary Jackson, Baltimore City Dept. of Recreation and Parks
Our Players
Alex loves football and could not wait for fall practice to begin in August. His Mom was looking for an alternative to hanging out with friends on the streets when she discovered the Baltimore Youth Lacrosse League. Though Alex had never seen a lacrosse game, he was willing to give the sport a try. Though Alex showed up with no equipment, the Trilogy Foundation outfitted him with everything that he needed. He hit a high note in his last game when he scored his first goal. Alex finished summer camp with not only new friends and equipment, but newfound self esteem and an understanding of teamwork.
"Our team is like a great team
because we don't fuss with
each other. We help each
other."
-BYLL player
Our Coaches
The Trilogy Foundation prides itself on the quality of its coaching staff who have all been trained in positive coaching techniques. Imagine a football camp conducted by a cross section of the top NFL players. Well, at the Trilogy Foundation summer league and evening camp you get just that EXCEPT some of our coaches are among the most talented major league lacrosse players and they are all gathered together at Baltimore's Patterson Park. There the kids receive free instruction from the best in the sport.They not only learn the finer techniques of the game, but their coaches begin to instill in them many necessary life skills.
"I love lacrosse....What a great game for our kids - lots of contact, running around, and even learning a little self discipline."
- Noel Acton, Director, Tender Bridge and BYLL volunteer
