About Henry Youth Lacrosse
OUR PURPOSE
About Henry Youth Lacrosse
Every child should have a chance to play lacrosse…it’s a great sport.
We started Henry Youth Lacrosse (HYL) because we believe every child should have a chance to play lacrosse while they are young. Why? Because lacrosse is A LOT of fun.
Most kids in the south don’t get a chance to try lacrosse like they do other sports. It’s not intentional – it’s just not a traditional sport. Kids grow up playing football, basketball, baseball or softball – usually because their friends or family members introduced them to the game in the driveway or backyard.
In the Northern U.S. – where lacrosse is a traditional sport, there are plenty of older brothers or sisters, moms and dads, and even grandparents who played lacrosse. Chances are good in Henry County that you don’t live next door to any other lacrosse players (though that is changing).
Henry Youth Lacrosse is committed to introducing kids to the sport of lacrosse, so they have another sport to consider playing as early as kindergarten. We host regular beginner clinics, help with P.E. classes or afterschool programs, and attend local events around town to share our passion for the game with anyone who will listen.
Lacrosse IS one of the most popular and fastest-growing sports in the U.S. It’s becoming more popular every year, especially in the Greater Metro Atlanta Area (now a hotbed for college lacrosse recruiting). Most high schools in Henry County now offer Girls Lacrosse (and four – ELCA, Union Grove, Ola and Strong Rock – also have established Boys Lacrosse programs).
Lacrosse is also the fastest-growing collegiate sport, with more and more schools starting Men’s and Women’s programs every year. There are now TWO professional Men’s Lacrosse leagues in the U.S. – and a NEW Women’s Lacrosse league debuting this summer.
Finally, lacrosse will take center stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where teams around the world will compete for gold in the sport. There simply has never been a better time to play the sport (or to be a fan of the game).
At every level of our sport, every player started their lacrosse journey by having a chance to try the sport for the first time. Most of them while they were young.
The next great lacrosse player could be in the room with you right now. We’d love to show them what lacrosse is all about. We promise, if they try it, they’ll LOVE it!
Discover Lacrosse
We believe everyone should know lacrosse exists and is an option for children in Henry County.
Try Lacrosse
Our Vision is that every child in Henry County will have a chance to try lacrosse while they are young.
Play Lacrosse
Our Mission is to ensure that any child who tries lacrosse and wants to play the game is able to – improving access and removing any barriers that might otherwise keep kids off the field.
Excel at Lacrosse
Our Purpose is to help children who play with us to learn, grow, and succeed – encouraging them to do their best and challenge themselves to achieve their goals on and off the field.
Share Lacrosse
Our Hope is that children who come through our program develop a genuine love for the game as the seasons go by. One day, years from now, we hope they in turn share their knowledge and passion for the game with the next generation of players coming up – who like them, have a chance to try the game for the first time.
Henry Youth Lacrosse History
Henry Youth Lacrosse (HYL) started in the summer of 2021 as the latest iteration of our local youth lacrosse program in Henry County. HYL is simply building on a strong foundation that was formed by MANY players, coaches and other volunteers who started and led the first lacrosse programs in our community – dating back to 2007. We are grateful for the dedication of everyone who worked to get us to this point, and humbled to be continuing their Mission to grow the game of lacrosse in Henry County.
Today, HYL is a Georgia-based nonprofit and 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to increasing youth participation in lacrosse in and beyond Henry County, Georgia. On average, more than 100 boys and girls in grades K-8th participate in our Spring and Fall Seasons, youth lacrosse camps and clinics and other programs we offer throughout the year. Many of our former HYL and HLA players are now on the rosters of our local high school teams and more college teams than ever. We’re just getting started!