HEADstrong FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 19, 2018) – As the Premier Lacrosse League continues its revolutionary approach to the sport, the league is announcing the formation of its community and charitable initiative, PLL Assists.
PLL Assists is seeking to change the way sports leagues interact with their communities by building lasting relationships with programs around the country. The initiative will focus on three specific areas during its inaugural season in 2019: increasing access to lacrosse in underserved communities, supporting American Veterans in their transition back home, and joining the fight against cancer. Additionally, the PLL will assist its players’ respective charitable endeavors by investing with financial support and shared resources. Within each of these areas, PLL Assists will work with established non-profit partners, to engage and impact people in need of support.
“As professional athletes, we’re fortunate to reach millions of lacrosse enthusiasts around the world, and it’s our responsibility to positively impact and encourage change,” said Paul Rabil, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of PLL. “That’s something I’ve always strived for in my career, and firmly believe in giving back to others. From the moment we started the PLL, we knew how important building with our communities was, and we are excited to work through PLL Assists to invest in social good.”
PLL Assists will provide access to lacrosse through a comprehensive sticks-in-hands approach, working with Charm City Lax, OWLS Lacrosse, WINNERS Lacrosse, Bronx Lacrosse, City Lax, and others in this effort.
“There are so many communities and pockets of the population that are going to be impacted through the work of PLL Assists,” said Kyle Harrison, Director of Player Relations for PLL, and President/CEO of Charm City Youth Lacrosse – one of the non-profit partners which will work with PLL Assists. “Lacrosse is a game that is growing in popularity, not just because of the exciting nature of the sport, but because of the opportunity it provides to so many kids. We’re excited and honored to be a part of it on both sides.”
In addition, PLL Assists will work with Shootout for Soldiers and Team RWB to support American Veterans and active duty service members. The initiative will provide a dedicated number of tickets to each game to Veterans, create opportunities for players to spend time with Veterans in local markets and the PLL will honor a community hero at every game all season long.
“To have the ability to work with a professional sports league like the Premier Lacrosse League is going to have an incredible impact for us and those we serve,” said Merry Troper, Executive Director of Shootout For Soldiers, one of the non-profit partners working with PLL Assists. “So many people are going to benefit because of the relationship we’ll have with PLL Assists.”
Finally, PLL Assists will join the fight against cancer by supporting patients battling the disease and raising awareness. Notably, PLL Assists will team up with the HEADstrong Foundation, a non-profit founded by former Hofstra Lacrosse player Nick Colleluori, who passed away from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“We are so incredibly honored and humbled to align with the Premier Lacrosse League in the fight against Cancer,” adds Cheryl Colleluori, Nick’s mother and HEADstrong Foundation President. “The generosity and continued outcry of support from the game allowed our organization to take flight, and having the privilege to face-off against cancer in a full-time capacity has allowed HEADstrong to play a key and vital role in the lives of families overcome by this plague. We believe our partnership with PLL Assists will be important in not only creating further awareness but true impact for families affected by cancer across the country.”
To learn more about HEADstrong Foundation, please visit: headstrong.org
The HEADstrong Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving lives affected by cancer. HEADstrong was founded by Nicholas Colleluori, a Division I athlete entering his sophomore year at Hofstra University when he was terminally diagnosed with cancer. His public fight from the sidelines captivated the nation and from his hospital bed he created an organization focused on empowering student-athletes to improve lives affected by the disease. His vision was simple yet critical; helping real families when they needed it most, providing support so that families may live with a greater dignity and normalcy. Colleluori fought to improve the inpatient experience, the affordability and accessibility of care and tackled the general concerns facing the patient population.
It’s a promise that the Colleluori family continues to fulfill through the essential programs and services offered by the HEADstrong Foundation, www.HEADstrong.org. HEADstrong is 100% committed to improving the quality of life for families affected by cancer. HEADstrong grants financial assistance, funds projects to improve the inpatient experience, provides meals and outlets of entertainment, delivers comfort kits, peer support and most notably operates Nick’s House™, a haven of comfort for families seeking comprehensive cancer care.
To learn more about PLL Assists, please visit: premierlacrosseleague.com/assists
About the Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) brings the sport of lacrosse to a national stage for the first time through a tour-based model, complete with the best players the game has to offer. Co-founded by lacrosse superstar, philanthropist, and investor Paul Rabil and his brother, serial entrepreneur and investor, Mike Rabil, the Premier Lacrosse League is backed by an investment group comprised of The Raine Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), The Chernin Group, and Blum Capital. The league was announced in October 2018, with an exclusive media-rights deal with NBC Sports Group. The PLL season will begin in June 2019, with six teams, embarking on a 14-week season that concludes with a playoff and PLL championship game. The PLL season will be distributed through an exclusive media-rights agreement with NBC Sports Group. For more information, visit PremierLacrosseLeague.com, and follow on social media:
Instagram: @PLL
Twitter: @PremierLacrosse
Facebook: @PremierLacrosseLeague
YouTube: YouTube.com/PLL
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