HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse Sets Sights On Future With LOLax Alignment

Philadelphia, PA – There was instant chemistry the moment the HEADstrong Foundation met LOLax Directors Debbie White and Rachel Dyer. HEADstrong has been looking to develop something of substance focused on empowering female athletes in the Greater Philadelphia region while LOLax was seeking an opportunity to evolve while giving higher purpose to their renowned youth program. The group quickly realized that by aligning themselves and blending their two philosophies that it would allow the programs to have a huge impact in the game on behalf of those in the fight against cancer. LOLax and the HEADstrong Foundation are proud to announce that they will be joining forces to take a step aHEAD of cancer as they reintroduce the HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse Club of Pennsylvania.

Together the newly formed HEADstrong girls lacrosse program will be looking to ignite the philanthropic spirit of the girl’s lacrosse community by providing an incredible experience focused on players and families directly helping those affected by cancer. Outside of instruction and competition throughout the year, the club will proudly offer community service opportunities engaging the entire family off the playing field. The goal is to play a positive role, provide broader perspective and showcase the “Greatness” of today’s young female athletes not focus solely their athletic abilities. The hope is to help players reclaim the fun and enjoyment that lacrosse has to offer while helping them to pursue a better appreciation and passion for the game.

LOLax will officially transition to the HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse Program of Pennsylvania this fall, concluding their annual open tryouts which are scheduled for Sunday, September 20th at William Penn Charter School located at 3000 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Players and families are encouraged to come out and learn about the HEADstrong Foundation.

Evaluation Schedule and Details
Date: Sunday, September 20th
Location: William Penn Charter School
Address: 3000 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Fee: $25.00
Time: 2PM-4PM (All Teams)
Teams: 2020 (8th Grade), 2021 (7th Grade), 2022 (6th Grade), 2023 (5th Grade)
Register: https://headstronglax.sportngin.com/register/form/917441722

In addition to evaluations, the organization will also be hosting four FUNdamental Clinics on October 18th, 25th as well as November 1st and 8th from 2:00-4:00PM also at William Penn Charter School. These clinics will be open to 3rd-8th grade girls and will cost $50 per session or $190 for all four sessions. Please visit www.HEADstronglax.org to learn more.

These instructional clinics are open to all ages and are designed to educate, motivate and inspire girls to reach personal goals and foster a life –long love for the game of lacrosse. The commitment is to teaching the fundamentals of the game with a major emphasis on skill development and higher lacrosse IQ. In a fun, energetic and nurturing environment, young girls will gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their lacrosse abilities and ultimately the belief that they have no limitations to what they can do if they set their mind to it.

Program Director Debbie White has been involved in athletics for over half of her life. She has served as a player, a coach and administrator. As a player, Debbie was a senior year captain for both her high school and college teams. She was recognized as an All-American as a High School and College player. Debbie was the Bux-Mont League’s leading scorer during her junior year and senior year, led her Central Bucks West team to a District 1 Lacrosse Championship, scoring 5 goals, including the game winning goal with three seconds left on the clock. She went on to play for Kutztown and then West Chester University and was selected to play for Central Penn, South and Philadelphia College teams. After graduation, she was selected to Philadelphia Association 1st team 5 consecutive years and spent 4 years with the United States program; including a tour to Canada in 1987. Debbie’s 30+ years of coaching experience includes: Head Coach at The William Penn Charter and Baldwin Schools, and Assistant at Harriton High School, Villanova University and Swarthmore College. In addition, she has coached at numerous camps and clinics. In addition to coaching, Debbie provided guidance to area programs; as the President of PWLA, a rep and selector for PSLA, and as a Co-Director of the PWL Summer League. She continues to be involved with youth lacrosse by running camps in Avalon, NJ and as a motivational speaker. She is the founder of the LOLaxphi organization and will now be at the helm of HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse program. Debbie was recognized as the Stanley McFarlen Outstanding Athlete of C.B. West High and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into The W. Penn Charter Coaches Hall of Fame along with her 1987 championship team and The Baldwin School’s Hall of Fame. Debbie was also an Honoree of The Women’s Legacy Fund. In 2015, Debbie was inducted into the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Rachel Dyer, a distinguished player at Muhlenberg College and an experienced youth coach will be supporting White in helping to take the new program to the next level. Dyer began her career at The William Penn Charter School, where she captained the first ever varsity girls lacrosse team in the school’s history. Dyer earned PASLA All-Star honors and is the first women. inductee into the Athletic Honor Society. Dyer was a 4-year starter and two-time captain on the Muhlenberg College lacrosse team While at Muhlenberg; Dyer received Second Team All-Centennial Conference honors for lacrosse in her junior and senior year, as well as the LVAIAW Outstanding Athlete from Muhlenberg College in 1996. In 2010, Dyer began the Drexel Hill Raiders Lacrosse program for girls where she continues as Program Director and Coach. Dyer is presently the Head Middle School Girls Lacrosse coach at William Penn Charter School.

“There are moments when all the stars are aligned for breakthrough opportunities, that moment occurred the first time we stepped foot into “Nick’s House”. It was an instantaneous connection of shared values and purpose between us and the Colleluori family. We are delighted with our HEADstrong partnership and the prospect of our love of lacrosse being the vehicle to support the HEADstrong mission. Collectively we are empowered with this tremendous opportunity to separate ourselves from the rest, for all the right reasons. Keeping lacrosse and life in perspective, HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse club will provide players and families with a quality lacrosse education, and character -building moments on and off the playing fields that will impact their lives forever. We are so inspired by the “RELENTLESS” effort of the HEADstrong Foundation and look to instill Nick’s never give- up attitude in our players, teaching young women to believe they have no limitations to what they can accomplish if they put their mind to it.” Debbie White, HLCPA Girls GM

“We are thrilled to introduce this new alliance with LOLax, helping to re-establish the HEADstrong Girls Lacrosse Club of Pennsylvania. Debbie and Rachel have the best of intentions and an incredible reputation, resume in the game and we are proud to welcome them to the HEADstrong family. Aside from being amazing coaches both Debbie and Rachel are mothers who understand the big picture. They value the importance and contributions of families and are looking to inspire young ladies to have fun, gain friendships and to have an impact. Cancer does not discriminate, it affects everyone and alongside of LOLax we are proud to reintroduce the HEADstrong to the Greater Philadelphia Market.” says Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom

About the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club
The HEADstrong Lacrosse Club (HLC™) was established in 2006 by HEADstrong Founder, Nicholas Colleluori and HEADstrong supporters with a vision of empowering athletes to support the fight against cancer, specifically blood cancers. HLC has established itself as a preeminent lacrosse organization that has grown nationally and is committed to providing its players with an incredible and fun-filled learning experience.

Led by first-class directors and a dedicated staff comprised of both current and former professional athletes and collegiate lacrosse players who have played competitive lacrosse for the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club™. HEADstrong’s personalized approach to lacrosse instruction focuses on both individual and team development. HEADstrong believes heavily in preaching values and character development and has worked diligently to engrain this into their players. The hope of HEADstrong Lacrosse is to leave an everlasting impression, which helps to give a broader perspective on life not just the game of lacrosse.
Click Here for more information on the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club and please visit www.HEADstrong.org to learn how you can #BeRelentless.