Present:

I.       Introductions and Goals

a.     Provide a forum to connect different lacrosse organizations in Connecticut.

b.     Allow organizations the opportunity to share problems, solutions and best practices

c.      Information should be shared with local league organizations (LLO) and specific actions from the meeting should be implemented

II.               Review of Youth Leadership Conference Action Items – 2016

a.     Continue discussion of Introductory Package to Lacrosse (Education and Training)

                                                    i.     No Action was taken on this item

                                                   ii.     Discussion about providing an Intro to Lacrosse clinic in Bridgeport around Youth Football Championships

                                                  iii.     Possibility of conduction clinic in Bridgeport or Hartford

                                                 iv.     Organizations are encouraged to apply for Sankofa Clinic grants

                                                   v.     Phil is planning to organize a youth clinic and CDP at Mohegan Sun during Christmas break

b.     Committee to support Hall Neighborhood House Anti-Bulling Event (Fuel the Growth)

                                                    i.     No action taken on this item

                                                   ii.     Rachel Smith was not in attendance, but consensus to pursue this clinic again this year

c.      Contact programs that applied, but did not receive USL grants (Fuel the Growth)

                                                    i.     Soft Stick and First Stick grant recipients were invited to conference

                                                   ii.     Non-grant winners have been contacted and will continue practice in the future.

d.     Committee to collect and distribute donated equipment (Support LLOs)

                                                    i.     No action taken on this item

                                                   ii.     Several ideas about stick and equipment donations for this year.

                                                  iii.     Black Wolves already conduct a stick collection through Operation Baggataway

                                                 iv.     Nate offered to have stick collection during CVGYL scheduling meeting

                                                   v.     Joe said that collection could be conducted at Univ. of Hartford games

                                                 vi.     Jamie said that collection could be conducted during CONNY tournament

                                                vii.     Phil will house and distribute equipment

III.              Review of Chapter Activities, Events and Initiatives (attached)

a.     Phil reviewed CES 2.0 which outlined core and elective initiatives for each chapter

b.     Phil mentioned the development of CEC 2.1 to evaluate the effectiveness of Chapters in relationship to CES 2.0.

IV.             Discussion about US Lacrosse CES 2.0 Initiatives

a.     Education and Training

                                                    i.     New Coaches Development Program (CDP) is called Developing the Individual Athlete (DIA) which is now a 3 hour on-field, interactive clinic

                                                   ii.     Chapter is scheduled to conduct DIA on January 7^th in New Milford, but are looking for other locations for DIA and Level 2 clinics.

                                                  iii.     Discussion about Youth and Coaches clinic at Mohegan Sun on Thursday December 28^th or Friday December 29^th. Planning has just begun.

                                                 iv.     Discussion about CT Chapter Coaches Clinic at Mystic Indoor Sports on Saturday February 3^rd. Planning has just begun.

                                                   v.     Lindsey asked about training opportunities for youth umpires

1.     CLOA information has been posted on Chapter website

2.     CWLOA information is on www.cwloa.org. Larry Stowe is the contact person for youth umpire training

3.     Danie mentioned that Dodgers conduct umpire training for their players

4.     Some discussion about a regional model for assigning youth umpires. CONNY has assignors for umpires, but other leagues do not.

b.     Fuel the Growth of the Sport

                                                    i.     Several programs received grants from US Lacrosse

1.     See list of chapter activities for First Stick and Soft Stick grant recipients

2.     Chapter will continue to reach out to programs that do not receive grants to see how Chapter can assist.

                                                   ii.     Revisited concept of Intro to Lacrosse Day

c.      Support Local Lacrosse Organizations (LLOs)

                                                    i.     Continued discussion about forming a committee to deal with collecting and distributing donated equipment

                                                   ii.     Discussion about utilizing Chapter newsletter to include parent meeting letter and pre-season meeting agenda to assist new coaches.

d.     Drive Chapter Visibility

                                                    i.     CT Chapter will again have a presence at NCAA Championships at Gillette Stadium in May

V.               Review of Constituent Services Budget

a.     Meeting held in August with constituent groups

b.     Budget submitted to US Lacrosse by September 1st

c.      Outlined CT Chapter Expenses, Revenue and Reserves

d.     Format from US Lacrosse that also draws from reserves when determining ask from USL

e.     Chapter is requesting over $29,000 from USL for programs and services

f.       Budget has not been approved at the time of the meeting

VI.             Discussion related to Sports Development and Best Practices

a.     Youth Rules

                                                    i.     Some discussion about success of 10U short-sided, small field rules.

                                                   ii.     Most leagues have experienced some growing pains with new rules, but feel that this year will be better.

b.     Box Lacrosse Rules

                                                    i.     US Lacrosse has approved rules for Box Lacrosse

                                                   ii.     Players will be required to wear regulation lacrosse helmets

                                                  iii.     Cross checking and boarding are not allowed

c.      Age Verification – no discussion

d.     Athlete Development Model – no discussion

e.     Coaches Education and Training Requirements – discussion earlier in conference

f.       Community Partnerships

                                                    i.     Black Wolves and Dick’s are continuing to look for ways to work with local lacrosse organizations

g.     Private Enterprise

                                                    i.     Danie suggested utilizing club players for clinics. Players are always looking for community service opportunities and would be available to help with clinics

                                                   ii.     Danie recommended working with clubs in training of youth umpires

                                                  iii.     Phil will plan a future meeting with private enterprise organization to discuss additional ways that clubs and the Chapter can work together

VII.           Meeting Decisions and Points of Action

a.     Organize an Introductory to Lacrosse Day. Possible sites in Bridgeport or Hartford

b.     Organize stick/equipment donation events

c.      Create Chapter newsletter to send to members with information about conducting a pre-season parents meeting

d.     Conduct meeting with private enterprise organizations to discuss relationship with Chapter

Meeting Adjourned at 3:30pm