WORTHINGTON YOUTH LACROSSE ASSOCIATION
Who are we?
We are not a league, a club, or a blog. We are an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit that exists for the purpose of supporting Worthington's youth players, coaches, and officials; growing the game within the community; and enhancing the lacrosse experience so that young athletes are eager and proud to call themselves "lacrosse players."
What do we do?
We work with the program directors for Worthington's boys and girls programs - including both rec-league and travel - in order to establish needs on an annual basis.
We then prioritize those needs based on a combination of factors, including relevence to our mission, impact on the program, cost, and feasibility.
WYLA is committed to providing equal support to both the boys and girls programs, but acknowledges that the financial needs of each game may vary, and the needs of any program will change from year to year.
We fundraise on behalf of the programs in order to meet their needs. This keeps the cost of playing youth lacrosse low, prevents players and coaches from taking time away from practice to fundraise, and gives us the resources needed to meet the needs of the game.
We also strive to build a community around the game. We want kids to try lacrosse and, once they fall in love with it, to make it a part of who they are. We organize events and create shirts and other artifacts that help connect kids with America's oldest sport all throughout the year.
Our Vision
Boys and girls youth lacrosse in Worthington will be among the best sports experiences a kid can have. Our youth lacrosse players will learn to play the game well in a safe, structured, and competitive environment that is supported by coaches and administrators who have all of the training and resources that they need to not only teach the game but inspire their players to proudly make “Worthington lacrosse player” a part of their identity. We will give them a great foundation so they will have the option of continuing to play lacrosse as they get older, and fantastic memories of playing it as kids.
Our Mission
To promote the sport of lacrosse within the Worthington community; to grow the quality and accessibility of the game; and to provide administrative, programmatic, and financial support to those who play, coach, and organize it at the youth level.
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Our Community
Worthington has a long and storied lacrosse history, and every year we get to watch an amazing rivalry play-out as the Thomas Worthington High School Cardinals play the Worthington Kilbourne High School Wolves in the Wo-Town Show Down. But, there are no rivalries at the youth level. There are no stat-keepers at the scorer's table or college scholarships on the line. What we have in K-6 lacrosse are volunteer coaches, (often) confused partents, and kids who are just trying to learn the game.
This is where WYLA can do the most good. Those volunteer coaches need support. Those parents need access to the game without major barriers like high equipment costs or fundraising obligations. And the girls and boys who want to learn this game need every opportunity to do so.
WYLA can provide these things.