College Players Launch Northern Arizona's First Youth Lacrosse
Nearly 50 young athletes played lacrosse for the first time in their region's history, thanks to college volunteers who created a brand-new league in under six months. Kids from Flagstaff, Prescott, and the Verde Valley finally have a sport they never had access to before.
For the first time ever, kids in Northern Arizona have their own lacrosse league, and it went from idea to reality in less than six months.
Nearly 50 young players took to the fields at Posse Grounds Park in Sedona last Sunday for Northern Arizona Youth Lacrosse's first regional play day. They played 15 games across three fields while more than 100 family members, coaches, and volunteers cheered them on.
College players from NAU's men's and women's club lacrosse teams spent their Sunday coaching and mentoring the younger athletes. For kids growing up in a region that never had youth lacrosse before, meeting college players from their own backyard made the sport feel suddenly within reach.
Co-founders Shannon Roberts and Molly Whitehead started building the league less than six months ago. Roberts also serves as head coach of NAU women's lacrosse, giving her a unique perspective on what kids need to fall in love with the sport.
"It feels surreal that less than six months ago we decided to start a lacrosse league in northern Arizona and we are already playing games and bringing so many people together," Whitehead said.
The league brought together children from Flagstaff, Prescott, and the Verde Valley. Nine-year-old twins Riley and Levi De Alva were among the Flagstaff players experiencing organized lacrosse competition for the first time in their hometown.
The Ripple Effect
This first play day represents something bigger than one Sunday of sports. Northern Arizona Youth Lacrosse is the first and only youth lacrosse league in the entire northern Arizona region, opening doors for hundreds of kids who previously had no access to the sport.
The next regional play day comes to Flagstaff on October 26 at NAU South Recreation Fields. Families can arrive early to watch the NAU women's lacrosse team play against the Arizona Storm at 1 p.m., giving young players another chance to see their potential future on the field.
Through practices, games, clinics, and seasonal programs, the organization is building something that will last for generations of young athletes.
Sunday's success proved that when dedicated volunteers take action, they can create opportunities that transform an entire region in just months.
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Based on reporting by Community Heroes Desk
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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