At Oakland Lacrosse Club (OLC), our mission has always been about more than just the sport. We’re dedicated to creating pathways for youth through a comprehensive program with a powerful network of support As we reflect on this past year and look ahead, we’re proud of the strides we’ve made in expanding our program, creating safe spaces for growth, and ensuring every young athlete in Oakland Lacrosse has the tools to thrive.
Time and again, we’ve seen what happens when a young person steps outside their comfort zone and joins the team; they’ve said “yes” to something new and full of possibility—and that is when lacrosse turns into more than just a game. It becomes a mirror for their strength, a stage for growth, and a path to belonging. Whether they join in sixth grade or twelfth, that moment of courage opens the door to confidence, resilience, and a community that believes in them and supports them every step of the way
This past year, we deepened our partnership with the Oakland Athletic League (OAL) and Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and continued bringing lacrosse directly to public schools by building an eight-team middle school league. Starting with Bret Harte, Edna Brewer, Elmhurst United, and Roosevelt, we’ve built a pipeline that introduces players to the sport as early as sixth grade and provides holistic support including mentoring, goal setting, academic counseling, and leadership development through high school graduation and beyond. This long-term investment nurtures leadership, builds self-efficacy, and creates a powerful citywide community where, across grades, schools, and neighborhoods, we are connected. It’s more than a program it’s a movement grounded in teamwork, shared purpose, and a lasting sense of belonging.
This work wouldn’t be possible without the deep commitment of our staff, board, coaches, and the extended community that stands with us. Thanks to your support, our program continues to grow reaching more young people and deepening our work every day. Together, we are are equipped to lead,
Kevin Kelley Founder & Executive D
KEY PARTNERSHIPS
We’re proud to recognize and celebrate our key partnerships that play a vital role in driving our success. These collaborations empower us to innovate, strengthen our impact, and deliver exceptional value. Together, we’re building meaningful progress and creating lasting change.
Oakland Unified School District: For the past 11 years, we have proudly been built on this public-private partnership, directly collaborating with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to offer lacrosse at no cost to families. Steadily, we have integrated into the school system. This year, we partnered with 8 middle schools and 5 high schools to deliver lacrosse programming, academic counseling, leadership development, and wellness support.
Oakland Athletic League: Since 2017, our partnership with the Oakland Athletic League (OAL) has been essential in expanding access to lacrosse. It began with the Leading with the Girls Initiative and based on this success, we have been able to launch our Middle School League and continually hosted the first-ever OAL Girls Varsity Championship Game. In Spring 2025, we will continue this momentum by establishing the CIF-Oakland Section’s Boys Varsity Lacrosse League with two inaugural teams.
City of Oakland Parks, Recreation, & Youth Development and Aim High: Each summer, we collaborate with Aim High and the City of Oakland Parks, Recreation, and Youth Development (OPRYD) to introduce lacrosse to younger students. This partnership provides our Summer Ambassadors with valuable work opportunities while introducing the sport to kids of all ages. It also fosters connections among Oakland youth, helping to create a sense of community and unity across the city.
Eat.Learn.Play: Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. has been instrumental in enhancing our middle school outreach program, where over 2,500 students are introduced to lacrosse through our P.E. and after-school outreach. We are excited to continue strengthening this partnership and expanding our middle school offerings to further enrich the experiences and opportunities for Oakland youth.
Laney College: Laney College continues to remain a staple for our big community events. This partnership of 11 years has provided a central ground to host the 4v4 Jamboree, Alumni Day, TAG, and the clinic with Paul Rabil.
OAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2024 lacrosse season concluded with a citywide event on May 18, celebrating the sport’s growing presence in Oakland. Teams from nine OUSD schools participated and over 200 people attended.
All four middle school teams played, battling it out for 3rd and 1st. In the end, Edna Brewer brought home both OAL Middle School Championship trophies The OLC High School Helmets faced off against East Bay club team POB, and the OAL Girls Varsity Championship featured a rematch between Skyline and Oakland Tech Skyline finished an undefeated season.
Castlemont, McClymonds, and Oakland High were also recognized for their seasons, with a special thanks to Castlemont for adding lacrosse lines to their brand new field and allowing us to host on their campus. The day wrapped with food, music, awards, and celebration. We look forward to building on this momentum with the launch of our High School Boys Varsity division next spring.
Photos taken by Tati Barquero
Photo taken by Nelda Kerr
Video produced by Baze Interactions
Photo taken by Tati Barquero
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Oakland Lacrosse Club’s academic program equips student-athletes with the support they need to succeed in school and plan for the future. Through one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and college and career readiness programming, students receive consistent academic guidance in a structured, supportive environment. The program offers help with school applications, personal statement writing, and long-term goal setting—building strong study habits and preparing students for a successful transition into high school and beyond.
T.A.G PROGRAM
Our 10-week T A G (Time Management, Advocacy, & Goal-Setting) Program leads to accountability and growth With access to mentorship, ESM College Counseling, and a supportive community, participants gain the tools to excel academically, lead with purpose, and prioritize their well-being Mentors encourage players to take initiative in their education, athletics, and personal development. As the 30 spring season returners gear up for the Oakland Athletic League season, they do so with sharpened skills, greater confidence, and a readiness to take on greater responsibility.
The T.A.G. Program is built on four key pillars: Wellness, Academics, Leadership, and Lacrosse. These pillars guide participants in their journey of self-improvement by emphasizing balance, discipline, and prioritization. Through weekly check-ins with mentors, team lacrosse activities, and personal development tasks, participants set clear goals and work toward achieving them, fostering growth both on and off the field. Two claps to Abi Olojo, Amanda Frey, Brandon Byrd, Bridget Grubb, David Koss, Devon Comito, Drew Debro, Erica Wilson, Macy Pagurko, and Rob Vawter for their commitment to mentoring our OLC youth.
Photo taken by Jonathan Weldon
PAUL RABIL VISIT
On Wednesday, May 1st, Paul Rabil flew into Oakland to hang out with a special group of players. All 8th-12th grade helmet players were invited to participate in an exclusive shooting clinic led by Rabil, the co-founder of the PLL and former professional athlete.
The clinic kicked off with a 45-minute session on Laney College’s grass field, followed by a dynamic Q&A in a classroom setting. Players, parents, and coaches had the chance to explore Rabil's mindset and approach to the game His candidness and passion were truly inspiring, leaving everyone in the room motivated Each player had the opportunity to ask for autographs, photos, and insights from the man known for his incredible work ethic. As a special takeaway, each player also received a hardcover copy of Rabil’s latest book, The Way of the Champion.
US SPORTS CAMP
In August, three standout middle school players from the Oakland Lacrosse Club Danny, Nolan, and Tron had the incredible opportunity to advance their lacrosse skills at the US Sports Camp, held in partnership with the UC Berkeley Men’s Lacrosse Program. The camp emphasized s ted deeply with the players. Nolan, e he Camper of the Week award! This y lacrosse journeys, and we look h a
Our public-private partnership with the Oakland Athletic League and Oakland Unified School District are essential to our mission. Together, we expand access to sports and youth development by combining our year-round programming with the infrastructure and reach of OUSD schools. The spring team experience is the culmination of our program team’s fall recruiting efforts and off-season preparation.
Photo taken by Marco Baroz
Photo taken by Marco Baroz Photo taken by Tati Barquero
Photos taken by Cal Men’s Lacrosse Team
SUMMER PLAY DAYS
Our public-private partnership with the Oakland Athletic League and Oakland Unified School District are essential to our mission. Together, we expand access to sports and youth development by combining our year-round programming with the infrastructure and reach of OUSD schools. The spring team experience is the culmination of our program team’s fall recruiting efforts and off-season preparation.
Oakland Lacrosse Club’s Summer Play Days are relaxed, drop-in clinics that give middle and high school athletes a chance to stay active and connected during the off-season. Hosted at Laney College’s grass field, these sessions focus on skill-building, teamwork, and having fun in a lowpressure environment. Whether you're new to the game or a returning player, Play Days offer a great opportunity to improve, meet new teammates, and stay involved with the Oakland lacrosse community
ALL-CITY GIRLS TRAVEL TEAM
On June 14, 2024, our OLC High School Staff traveled with 21 high school goggles players to the Lake Tahoe Summit Classic. This select team, primarily made up of rising sophomores and juniors, represented committed players from Castlemont, McClymonds, Oakland High, Oakland Tech, and Skyline. The girls were chosen from a pool of 85 based on their leadership, attendance, and coachability, reflecting the values instilled throughout the OAL season Over the four-day trip, our players embraced the challenge of stepping up, both individually and as a team This experience highlighted the balance between accountability, leadership, and collaboration while embracing the joy of teamwork.
Video by Erica Wilson & Tati Barquero
OUR FINANCES
In FY24, Oakland made strategic investments to expand its middle school program and strengthen fundraising capacity, laying the groundwork for long-term growth. By boosting our ability to secure funding and extend our reach, we’re building a strong foundation for future success. While we experienced a short-term net loss, we project $1.73 million in revenue for 2025—a 25% increase—and will continue growing our reserves to support future stability and impact.
