Thursday, August 8, 2019
By Brian Foley, Web Content Specialist
For many Northeast transplants residing in Wisconsin, lacrosse has long been a youth sports staple. But as the game's popularity increases exponentially, the sport continues to put down roots across the country, including right here in America's Dairyland.
Milwaukee Recreation successfully introduced its first girls lacrosse clinic in the summer of 2019, as over a dozen 6-12 year olds joined the program. No experience is required, but by the end of the seven-week session, instructor Morgan Woods (pictured left) had effectively instilled a base line skill set - as well as a passion for the game - with each participant.
Woods is something of a newcomer to the sport of lacrosse herself. A third-grade teacher during the day at the University School of Milwaukee, Woods joined the USM high school lacrosse coaching staff four years ago without any lacrosse credentials. But she swiftly fell in love with the game, and now specializes in defensive strategy as an assistant coach. She has moved up from JV to varsity at USM, joined the MKE Elite club team coaching staff, and now leads Recreation's budding lacrosse clinic.
Her teaching background and newfound enthusiasm for lacrosse makes her a perfect fit to teach the game to Milwaukee's next generation of laxers. She leads engaging activities with the girls, but still manages to include the fundamental skills, including passing, catching, cradling, and scooping ground balls. Woods transformed the popular "Red Light, Green Light" game - where the kids run when the instructor says green light and stop when the instructor says red light - by adding in her own yellow light - the kids walk forward - and purple light - which means dance party. The participants got a big kick out of the game that has also helped them get more comfortable with running with a lacrosse stick in hand.
"Every time I come, [the girls] are super excited to learn new things," Woods said. "They work hard and you really see them develop." Woods also brings coaching help to lead each practice alongside her, including some of her USM high school players, which allows each participant to receive more individualized attention as they learn the game.
But Woods also understands the value that lacrosse can provide for each girl, especially as the sport continues to grow in the Midwest.
"There are so many different opportunities through the sport. You can develop different relationships, meet people, get scholarships, and try something new. And that is really the most daunting thing about lacrosse. No one's really played it, so just having [these girls] here to take that risk and try something totally brand new is really cool."
Woods will be leading the Intro to Girls Lacrosse clinic at Riverside High School Community Center again this fall. You can register your child for the fall session here. Registration opened on Monday, Aug. 5 for city of Milwaukee residents; non-residents can sign up starting Monday, Aug. 12.