One Town, One Family: Winter 2024 Newsletter

WINTER 2024

ONE TOWN, ONE FAMILY

Fostering A ‘Lacrosse’ Identity

FALL T.A.G PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS 4V4 JAMBOREE OLC COACH RECRUITMENT +MORE

FALL T.A.G. PROGRAM Unlocking the door to success hinges on one's commitment and OLC wants every young adult to realize that they already have the keys. That is why Oakland Lacrosse offered year two of the 10-week Time Management, Advocacy, and Goal-Setting (T.A.G.) Program. This youth-driven fall program is specifically designed to empower returning players during the offseason—emphasizing personal growth by equipping them with the mental, physical, and emotional tools required to triumph in the spring.

The foundation of the T.A.G. Program rests upon four pillars: Wellness, Academics, Leadership, and Lacrosse.

Participants dedicated themselves to weekly check-ins with their mentors, team-based competitive lacrosse play days, and at-home activities. Under the nurturing guidance of their mentors, players were able to discern personal aspirations and work towards achieving them.

Overall, the diverse range of activities fostered healthier lifestyles, emphasized the usefulness of prioritization, and celebrated the ongoing process of working on oneself.

T.A.G. also provided several benefits—priority access to services (such as ESM College Counseling and CSA boxes through Mandela Partners), 1-on-1 mentorship with personalized goal-setting plans, a focused start to the school year, and furthered connections across the OLC community. We eagerly anticipate witnessing these 30 participants compete on behalf of their schools, motivate their teammates at games and practices, and foster camaraderie during the upcoming Oakland Athletic League season this spring.

PARTNER HIGHLIGHT:

WWW.MANDELAPARTNERS.ORG

2023 4V4 JAMBOREE Not only did Santa Claus travel to Laney College Football Stadium on Sunday, December 14th, 2023, but so did 41 lacrosse teams—all ready to participate in our third annual 4v4 Jamboree. Clouds covered the sky yet players hailed from all over the Bay Area. Over 200 players from U10 to High School Varsity showcased their skills on the small-sided fields, weaving a tapestry of clever picks, trick shots, and new moves they’ve been waiting for the opportunity to try.

For the first three games, teams took to the field with their registered teammates. For their last two games, players were divided by age group and mixed together, creating new teams with youth from diverse backgrounds, clubs, schools, and skillsets. This resulted in a unique atmosphere that celebrated the love of the game.

This event embodied the inclusivity and diversity that the Bay Area prides itself on; the 4v4 Jamboree allowed players to forge connections with people they might not have met otherwise.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the event was a tremendous success, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated. The the final whistles sounded and players dispersed as the rain persisted. The day may be over but the spirit of the 4v4 Jamboree lingers on. Anticipation mounts for the forthcoming year's tournament where we will once again embrace the magic of our larger lacrosse community.

IG Reel by @hi.irie

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Photos by Niam Namburi & Tati Barquero

4V4 JAMBOREE SPONSORS

HIGH SCHOOL JAMBOREE COUNCIL AVA GARDUNO

ELSA BRAUNSTEIN

ISABELLE HSU

REESE IMRIE

AVERY IVES

FATIMA CARRILLO AGAPITO

LESLIE IORIO

TABITHA MAHER

CHARLOTTE MELAUGH

GRACE IMRIE

MADDEN KRATUS

TATE SEDLACHEK

CHASE RUEGG

GRACIELA KERR

NATALIE DECHERNEY

ISOBEL STARKEY

CHLOE GRIJALVA

GRAHAM WEIR

NIRALI BHAKTA

WALTER KANE

SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED

ADULT JAMBOREE BOARD ALEXIS LONGINOTTI

BEN SPARKS

MARK GUTHRIE

ALICIA FLORIN

ERICA WILSON

MIKE IORIO

KEVIN KELLEY

STEVEN SEILER

AMANDA FREY

VENDORS & POP-UPS IAMKAIEA ELEVATE LACROSSE LAS MARIANAS FOOD TRUCK SMOOTHIE PATROL

TATI BARQUERO TYLER KREITZ

STAFF COACHES PROJECTS PREPARING FOR 14 SPRING TEAMS Since June, OLC’s 9 full-time staff members have been preparing for this expansion by putting cross-collaborative coaches projects into action. These projects included targeted outreach, monthly newsletters, coaches socials, onboarding pathways, sportsbased youth development trainings, and more. The collaborative efforts of the staff members shone through and the targeted outreach initiatives brought in old and new coaches, creating a vibrant and supportive community of adults working together towards a common goal - empowering youth through sports and mentorship.

We hosted two sports-based youth development trainings. For the virtual session on ‘How Coaches Create Change,’ OLC staff introduced our core valued, introduced a traumainformed youth development lens, and asked coaches to think about their WHY. On February 6, 2024, we gathered at Castlemont High School to go over HOW to integrate their why while coaching. The best coaches are the ones who apply what they learned through their player experience so we took them through a doubleconsciousness training to get us all talking about different ways to create impact this season.

PAGE SIX | ONE TOWN, ONE FAMILY

Exploring the Effects of Access & Opportunity

by Tati Barquero

OLC Development & Communications Coordinator

tatiana Barquero

P

articipating in team sports provides children with valuable life skills that extend beyond the court or field. They learn how to communicate effectively, problem-solve, and adapt to different situations. Being part of a team also promotes a sense of belonging amongst community, which is especially important during the formative years of childhood and early adulthood.

In the summer going into 6th grade, I joined a club basketball team with the intention of making my school's A-team in the spring. Despite putting in my best effort during tryouts, I fell short of my goal. Fortunately, my school had multiple basketball teams, ensuring that my identity as an athlete did not come to an end.

Many schools nowadays have only one basketball team to represent the entire student body. With limited spots available, the stakes feel higher while the chances of making the team are lower. For children who want to try the sport or hope to belong to a team, it can be discouraging to go up against students who have the opportunity to play year-round. I’m all for competition and although it’s essential to sports, we’re limiting opportunities to build confidence across all youth by cutting those kids at such an early age.

By limiting opportunities for children to participate in sports, we are limiting their potential for growth and development. It's crucial that schools and communities prioritize providing accessible and inclusive athletic programs for all children—if a kid wants to compete then let’s do something to let them. Perhaps offering an opportunity to a kid who is taking a chance on themselves could be the catalyst they require to develop into a kinder and more resilient adult one day. As more of these opportunities exist, the power of sport can take off and impact everyone.

Cementing the 6th-12th grade pipeline, OLC is collaborating with Oakland Unified and the Oakland Athletic League to ensure that any kid who wants to play a sport, can. This spring OLC will be running middle school programs at Bret Harte, Edna Brewer, Elmhurst United, and Roosevelt in addition to high school programs with players from Castlemont, McClymonds, Oakland High, Oakland Tech, and Skyline.

All I needed was a chance to belong, a place to be met with trust, and a space that welcomed mistakes mistakes so that I could learn from them. The experiences, knowledge, and friendships I’ve gained through playing sports have shaped who I am today—and being able to recognize that makes me want those same opportunities (and more) for this generation of youth.

@CALCAMERONINST