the National Organizing Committee for the Standardization of Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), thunder and lightning precautions, information on use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and other risk management solutions. Through its extensive coaching education initiatives, certified MBYLL coaches learn exactly what is expected of them to foster safe learning environments.
MBYLL is also exploring a partnership with Safety Tag—a Pennsylvania-based company who've created an organizational app designed to allow coaches and team managers to systematize and communicate any health issues of players on their team. From asthma to allergies, concussions to abrasions, all coaches face the hurdles of keeping track of their athletes' medical conditions. Safety Tag provides a tool which allows them to maintain all information electronically and to quickly and effortlessly communicate medical action between the coaches, the parents, and the trainers who tend to the players in their time of need.
Standard #4: Player Safety and Sportsmanship
For leagues who supply detailed policies regarding sportsmanship, codes of conduct, injury prevention education, and other information which leads to "healthy lacrosse activity," US Lacrosse deems them to have met the fourth criterion for Gold Stick Excellence. The goal is to "create and maintain the safest and most positive playing environment possible."
For their expected team meetings and parent information sessions, MBYLL provides its coaches with a "Parent and Player" guide which not only provides them with the game rules structured by level, but with league's expectations on support, language, behavior, and positive reinforcement.
Partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance, MBYLL provides support in areas of positive playing environments by means of online courses, an electronic library of resources, and literature designed to outline and encourage the tenants of sportsmanship and safety.
Standard #5: Screened, Trained, and Certified US Lacrosse Coaches
To "maximize player safety by creating an environment that values and integrates a baseline of lacrosse-specific training for coaches," US Lacrosse stipulates that all of its Gold Stick leagues educate its head coaches and conduct background checks.
A certified US Lacrosse coach has a current USL membership, passed a Level 1 Online Course, attended a Level 1 Instructional Clinic, took a Positive Coaching Alliance Double Goal Coach® Workshop, and has been screened through a criminal background check.
Perhaps its most comprehensive initiative, the MBYLL Coaching Education Certification process is quite demanding on its applicants. But with the goal of providing the best possible experience for the youth athletes, it is to be expected that the volunteers who are charged with the safety and education of the 20,000 MBYLL athletes are properly trained for such an undertaking.
MBYLL coaches meet all the above criteria for US Lacrosse certification and are asked to renew their certification every two years. Partnered with Trilogy Lacrosse, experienced coaches are provided advanced opportunities for expanding their coaching arsenal through webinars, workshops, and clinics designed and led by the executive directors of the lacrosse education company.
Standard #6: Trained/Certified US Lacrosse Officials
In an effort to once again "maximize player safety" by "committing to use USL certified lacrosse officials," leagues are expected to assign certified officials to all contests, who've held on-field rating prior to any assignment.
According to US Lacrosse, "Certification represents a base standard of on-field skills and abilities to implement the training that has been received, as well as comprehensive insurance coverage for all reasonable contests following a US Lacrosse recognized rulebook.
MBYLL has partnered with EMLOA (Eastern Massachusetts Lacrosse Officials Association) and exclusively use EMLOA officials for all contests, excluding U9 games. MBYLL has also partnered with EMLOA to create an intensive training course for town Associate Officials, in which high-school aged "junior" officials gain valuable experience officiating younger-level games and trailing as a second official at the older levels.
All officials assigned to MBYLL spring games are active and certified members of the EMLOA organization and adhere to certification and approval by both their own organization and those of MBYLL.
Standard #7: Membership
US Lacrosse believes that "the optimal lacrosse experience includes a US Lacrosse membership," and insists that in order to be Gold Stick affirmed, all players, coaches, officials, and administrators are current US Lacrosse members.
Continuing Education
Though affirmed by US Lacrosse as one of the country's first Gold Stick programs, having met all seven criteria and, in many ways, leading the nation as a pilot tester and torch bearer for US Lacrosse, MBYLL strives for constant improvement in its governance.
"MBYLL can continue to push the envelope on making the Mass Bay experience better and better every season," said Spangenberg. "There is a lot we can still do while always remaining true to our mission to teach, grow, and honor the game we are so passionate about."
Getting recognized for its compliance with the established tenants of lacrosse promotion is an enormous accomplishment for a league as large, diverse, and complex as Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League. Sticks of gold symbolizing a commitment and seriousness of administration is something to be very proud of, indeed. But the real trophy comes every June at the MBYLL Jamboree in the form of smiles and laughter—when a youth lacrosse player tells his coach that it was a great season.
"There exists a tremendous opportunity in front of all of us to enable lacrosse to become the core activity for boys and girls in every community to rally around and celebrate," concludes Spangenberg. "The growth and future of our sport depends on our collective ability to support this effort—particularly at the youth level—in every community across the Commonwealth. And the USA."
30 The Scoop / Spring '15
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