LEAPS: Bringing My Sport To The Inner City
By Wyatt Earp | July 1, 2009
This is an awesome idea. As terrific the game of lacrosse is, it is not as widely played as it should be because of equipment costs. Hell, a helmet costs $100, even for kids Kyle’s age!
Nevertheless, it’s good to see local players give back to the community. Anything that makes lacrosse more popular is worth the effort and the hard work.
Youth lacrosse has always been a staple in the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia, and now two local players are trying to bring it into the inner city.
Eric Gregg and John Christmas have brought their expertise and passion into the non-profit program LEAPS (Lacrosse, Education, Attitude, Perseverance, Success)
LEAPS’ mission is to enrich the lives of youth through lacrosse and education, as well as instill the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
And if it keeps some inner-city kids off the street this summer, who can argue?
“John Christmas and I had the idea that we wanted to get more kids around the city involved. We knew that lacrosse could be an expensive sport, so we wanted to make if affordable and the coaching accessible. We went in the neighborhood and started community based leagues. We also work with the school district of Philadelphia to help them grow their school leagues,” said Gregg.
LEAPS began their first camp on Monday at Germantown High School, where they provide free lacrosse training for any boy or girl ages 6-14. LEAPS’ provides the equipment, coaching and a nutritional snack for all campers.
LEAPS will be holding youth camps all throughout the city until July 30th. For more info check their website: LEAPS. (H/T – CBS3)
Absolutely fantastic job, guys!
Topics: Lacrosse | 4 Comments »
July 1st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Lacrosse? If they want to turn inner-city kids into women, why not just put them in skirts and teach them Broadway tunes?
July 1st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Nice.
July 4th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Wagonsux – You sux.
RT – Yep, it’s a good story.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
It’s good when those who have gained from a sport are willing to turn round and give something back.
How practical do you think it will be? You make the point about cost of equipment. Surely, this could be a major problem. Is there any chance of sponsorship?
Would it be more realistic to go for a sport like soccer – building on your nation’s recent success and on the low cost. In this country, a whole generation of footballers started out on the steets of Northern slum towns with nothing more than a ball and “goals” outlined in white paint or chalk on the walls.
What worries me a little is will this really work or will the inner city lads and girls be let down? I really hope note and wish them the very best!