Beyond Sport

Award Entered:
Sport For Social Inclusion Award
Parent Organisation:
MetroLacrosse
Project Host Nation:
United States
Overview of Project:
MetroLacrosse uses the transformative power of team sports to break down the socioeconomic, racial, ethnic and cultural barriers that exist in urban neighborhoods. By leveraging the skills and values that are inherent in its R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Responsibility, Effort, Sportsmanship, Participation, Enthusiasm, Communication and Teamwork) curriculum, MetroLacrosse teaches youth to make positive social and academic choices, while intentionally bringing people together from different walks of life in team-based settings. The sport of lacrosse offers a unique opportunity to do so given its roots in the Native American culture, and its more recent history as a predominantly elitist sport. In year-round programs that engage youth and teens during after-school and summer hours, MetroLacrosse inspires youth to build strong peer and adult mentoring relationships, to succeed in school, to develop positive conflict resolution skills and to remain connected to the community as alumni. The result is an extended network of thousands of MetroLacrosse participants, alumni, volunteers and friends who use the common bond of their lacrosse experience to create change in their own neighborhoods and in their own lives. In short, MetroLacrosse is “Teaching Kids to Stick to Their Goals.”

Beyond Sport: Utilising the power of sport to help the lives of others.