Mens High School Coaches Committee of US Lacrosse reject National Development Team plans
Jan 19, 2004

"The US Lacrosse Men's High School Coaches Committee does not support nor endorse this National Development Program...."

by YouthLacrosseUSA.com

YouthLacrosseUSA.com has receivbed a copy of the statement passed by the Men's High School Coaches' Committee of US Lacrosse that rejects the National Development Team plan recently created by Gary Gait.

At the convention in Philly, the Men's High School Coaches Committee voted on and issued the following statement concerning the proposed National Development Program for Lacrosse. Additionally the College Mens Coaches Committee also has issued a similar statement which should be made public soon. The feeling from both groups is that the NDP would end up damaging the sport by requiring specialization, taking kids away from other sports, and ultimately, as the ODP did in soccer, diminish the importance of the high school season.
Jim

Statement: "The US Lacrosse Men's High School Coaches Committee does not support nor endorse this National Development Program. It is the conviction of the Committee that interscholastic lacrosse players best benefit from participating in programs that emphasize overall technique, team play and the well rounded academic and athletic development of the student. Furthermore, the Committee feels that interscholastic players should participate in as many sports as possible and that the college counseling support of the local high school programs best serves the high school athlete in their quest for a positive collegiate experience.
The Committee is convinced that the NDP will add yet another level of sport specialization onto the burden of the high school athlete. This specialization, which has occurred with the ODP, lessens the commitment to the interscholastic sports experience, and does not improve the over-all athleticism of the participant. Moreover, there is no significant evidence that playing within a NDP has or will increase the number of scholarship opportunities available to the individual."