Gainesville Area Lacrosse Inc. (GALAXI) and Pipeline Lacrosse are partnering with Alachua County Public Schools to introduce the sport of lacrosse to all participating elementary and middle school physical education (PE) classes during the 2023-24 school year.
Representatives from GALAXI and Pipeline met with local administrators and PE coaches to discuss lacrosse being offered as part of the PE curriculum locally. “The response by the instructors was very encouraging,” said GALAXI President, Chip Skinner. “We were all exposed to sports through PE classes in our youth, so this an important part of expanding the sport of lacrosse in Alachua County.” Schools such as Wiles, Talbot and Norton Elementary are participating with more coming on board each day.
The programming will be based on USA Lacrosse principles and curriculum. Elementary students will start with no contact and basic skills. Middle school students will begin to learn the finer points to individual positions and more advanced skills while maintaining no contact. The curriculum will dovetail with the on-going partnership the two lacrosse organizations have with the Extended Day Enrichment Program (EDEP) at the middle schools to provide more training and leading up to team play. All equipment will be provided by the lacrosse organizations and will be at zero cost for the schools and School Board.
“As lacrosse continues to grow in Florida, it is imperative that we continue to provide equal access to opportunities and exposure,” said Pipeline Director, Maddie Higgins. “Our goal is for every child in Alachua County to have the opportunity to fall in love with the sport.”
“The collaboration with GALAXI and Pipeline has been successful within our EDEP programs, so this expansion made sense,” said Alachua County Schools Supervisor of Athletics, Crista Shaffer. “We’re happy to work with community partners in a way that benefits our students.”
GALAXI and Pipeline Lacrosse are local youth lacrosse organizations that specialize in boys and girls lacrosse respectively. The sport of lacrosse changes between the sexes in middle school. Boys lacrosse moves into contact with pads, helmets and the addition of defensive sticks. Girls lacrosse moves to googles and has a low threshold for contact. Goalie equipment and balls remain constant on both sides.
