There’s no set formula for building good habits, but with support and consistency, real progress happens! September 2024 marked the third year of our Fall T A G mentoring program an initiative designed to support returning players from the spring season in Time Management, Advocacy, and Goal-Setting This year, we reached a record 39 participants, ranging from 6th to 12th grade.
The TAG program provides positive momentum at the start of the school year to help guide players through their academic, wellness, leadership, and lacrosse pursuits Over the course of eight weeks, participants met one-on-one with their mentors many of whom were OLC coaches on a weekly basis A special shoutout to Coach Amanda, Coach Moses, Coach Alex, and Coach Monica, who went the extra mile to meet in person at their respective mentees’ school sites. These in-person sessions created a strong foundation for real growth Building trust and fostering connection between coaches and players leads to better engagement, access to hands-on learning, and increased accountability which encourages players to reach their goals
In addition to mentorship, TAG participants had access to off-season playing opportunities to level up their lacrosse skills Throughout the eight-week program, OLC hosted weekly Wednesday play days at Oakland High School, open to all players. With 77 players participating on Wednesdays, we hit a significant milestone highlighting the growing interest in lacrosse in Oakland. The momentum from our weekly play days carried into our biweekly Saturday clinics, where players applied the skills learned during the week into drills and competitive gameplay.
MENTORS
STANFORD WOMEN'S TEAM & MANDELA PARTNERS
On this special day, 30 NCAA Division I Stanford Lacrosse players assembled around 50 CSA boxes filled with fresh, local produce from Mandela Partners, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through healthy food access and economic empowerment. Stanford Lacrosse brought unmatched energy, leading a dynamic warm-up, facilitating gameplay, and engaging in one-on-one Q&A sessions with our players Their enthusiasm and encouragement made a lasting impact, reinforcing the power of mentorship and teamwork A huge thank you to Stanford Women’s Lacrosse and Mandela Partners for making this an unforgettable experience.
"It was a very fun experience being able to meet the players and not just play with them but talk with them about their experiences. I was able to learn more about college lacrosse and enjoyed playing on the field with them since they were so supportive and kind"
-Angelina L. (Oakland Tech ‘27)
PARTNERSHIP WITH ATHMINDSET® TO ELEVATE ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Performance isn’t just about physical strength or skill it’s about mindset. Research suggests that up to 80% of athletic performance is mental, and with that in mind, athletes must train their mental muscles just as they would their physical ones. That’s why we are excited to announce our new partnership with AthMindset®, a mental performance coaching service founded by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, the first-ever Mental Performance Coach for the Oakland Roots/Soul SC.
On October 12th at Laney College, Coach Lisa kicked off the workshop by guiding athletes through self-affirmations. She then led them in an exercise where they chose a word or phrase to represent the mindset they wanted to carry into their performance. Many athletes wrote these empowering words on their sticks as a personal reminder to stay focused and resilient when the pressure is on.
Through AthMindset®, our players, coaches, and staff will now have direct access to a team of athlete-centered, licensed therapists dedicated to fostering mental resilience and helping athletes thrive not just in their sport, but in all aspects of their lives. These sessions will offer our athletes and coaches a unique opportunity to develop mental toughness, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. We look forward to incorporating these mental training tools, resources, and workshops in our program ’ s curriculum.
ABOUT ATHMINDSET
Founded by Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW, CMPC, AthMindset® specializes in creating mental performance programs designed specifically for highperforming athletes AthMindset® offers innovative resources that empower athletes to build resilience, focus, and mental clarity Whether on or off the field, the goal is to help athletes reach their highest potential by fostering both their athletic abilities and emotional well-being.
NEW LOCATION, SAME SPIRIT!
FOURTH ANNUAL OLC 4V4 JAMBOREE
The Fourth Annual OLC 4v4 Jamboree was nothing short of spectacular, bringing together the best of the Bay Area Lacrosse Community for a day filled with excitement, passion, and a bit of rain Despite the weather, the event was a huge success, with 54 teams competing in fastpaced, small-sided games that showcased the true spirit of the sport.
One of the highlights of the day was the morning clinic led by Mikie Schlosser, which set a positive tone for the event. Thanks to the hard work of the High School Jamboree Council and Adult Jamboree Board, this year ’ s event ran smoothly, and players and teams were eager to hit the field. A special thank you to Focus on the Field for their excellent tournament management and to the Oakland Roots SC for allowing us to use their fantastic new training facility.
The Jamboree continues to be a special event for everyone involved. From the players to the volunteers, the sense of community is what truly makes this event unforgettable. It’s not just about competition; it’s about coming together, having fun, and sharing in the love of lacrosse.
Looking ahead, plans are already in the works for next year ’ s event. While we ’ re hoping for better weather, one thing’s for sure: the energy and magic of the event will be just as strong as ever. We can’t wait to see what next year brings. Until then, stay safe, stay dry, and keep playing the game we all love. See you next year!
HIGH SCHOOL JAMBOREE COUNCIL
SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
OLC PARTNERS WITH 2B LIVING AND RIAZ CAPITAL TO OFFER REDUCED HOUSING FOR STAFF & COACHES
We're excited to announce a new partnership with 2B Living and Riaz Capital, aimed at making housing more affordable and accessible for our staff.
Living in the Bay Area is expensive, with rising housing costs making it challenging for many to live in the very community they serve. To help address this, 2B Living and Riaz Capital are offering reduced housing rates for our team members, providing more affordable options in the city we call home.
We want to take a moment to thank 2B Living and Riaz Capital for their commitment to improving housing accessibility in the Bay Area Their dedication to providing quality, affordable housing has already made a lasting impact in Oakland and beyond With over 20 buildings across the city, including a new building on 9th Street, this partnership will help provide even more housing opportunities for our coaches and staff We’re thrilled to be working with such incredible partners and look forward to the positive impact this will have on our team and the broader Oakland community
