Welcome Coaches,
I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to support and lead you through this season as the new technical director of the Wolves Lacrosse Association. Working with a new group of coaches is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, because the impact you have on players extends far beyond wins and losses. Every practice you run, every conversation you have with an athlete, and every standard you set helps shape not only better lacrosse players—but better people.
I’ve been fortunate to experience this game from several perspectives: as a late-entry player who started lacrosse at age 15, as a player competing at the highest level, as a teammate on national championship winning teams, and as a coach who has developed thousands of lacrosse players and several programs over the last two decades. Through all of those experiences, one truth has stayed constant: great programs are built by great coaches who are committed to learning, reflecting, and growing.
That’s where this group comes in. What I would like to do is create a coach community, where everyone is actively engaged in the individual and collective development of the group. This will begin with our weekly coach call, Sunday nights starting March 29. During these recorded conversations, we will walk through the previous week's practice plan and learnings (15 min), as well as the upcoming week's suggested practice plan for the age group you coach (15 min). There will be 4 groups, U7 (7pm), U9 (730pm), U13/U11 (8pm), U17/U15 (830pm). All coaches will be free to sit in on any one of these meetings. We will do these meetings every Sunday starting this Sunday, until the end of the season in late June.
A list of important upcoming dates is as follows:
Our goal together is not simply to talk about lacrosse systems or drills—though we will certainly do plenty of that. Our focus is to build thoughtful, confident coaches who understand why they do what they do & how to do it effectively. We will explore how to create environments where players feel challenged, supported, and accountable. We’ll look at how to teach the game in ways that develop decision-makers, not just athletes who can run plays. And we’ll share ideas that help you build cultures players want to be part of year after year.
You should know from the start that this will be a collaborative space. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned came not from textbooks or whiteboards, but from conversations with other coaches who were willing to share honestly about what worked—and what didn’t. I encourage you to bring your experiences, your questions, and your curiosity.
I’m looking forward to learning alongside all of you. Coaching is demanding work, but it’s also a privilege. The influence you have on young athletes can last a lifetime, and together we can make sure that influence is a positive one.
Thank you for the commitment you’ve made to your players and to the game. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have, lacrosse or otherwise; I am at your disposal.
Let’s get to work.
Sincerely,