1. family and parenting

MAY 22 - 25, 2015
PHILADELPHIA, PA USA
Dear Lacrosse Parents,
In 2013, the NOTL Peewee and Bantam field teams travelled to the Philadelphia area for the “CAN-AM
Field Lacrosse Challenge” to learn more about the field lacrosse game. The NOTL players were billeted by Philadelphia families. The players participated in field lacrosse clinics, scrimmages and games
and received instruction from former and current NLL, NCAA, and Team Canada players and coaches.
The other NOTL attendees (parents, families and coaches) also enjoyed the lacrosse activities, socialized with our Philadelphia hosts, and took in the many site-seeing spots that Philadelphia had to offer
(yes...we did check out the Rocky steps!). New friends were made and it was a great experience for all
those who were involved.
This year, our Peewee and Bantam field teams will once again be heading to Philadelphia. The dates
for the exchange are from May 22 - 25 (US Memorial Day weekend).
TENTATIVE ITINERY (Subject to change)
DAY 1 (Friday, May 22nd) - Actual Trip
Early morning: Meet at parking lot MCU arena; Bus departs NOTL
Afternoon: Arrive in Radnor, PA - check into Villanova Conference Center
Bus leaves for Radnor lacrosse fields
NOTL kids meet up with Philly billets/hosts
Night: Meet and Greet Social with host families
*** Players go with host families
DAY 2 (Saturday, May 23rd)
Morning: Clinics & Scrimmages
Afternoon: Attend NCAA Division I Semi-final games
@ Lincoln Financial Field
*** Players go with host families
DAY 3 (Sunday, May 24th)
Late morning/early afternoon: CAN-AM CHALLENGE GAMES
Free afternoon—site seeing (Rocky Statue, Liberty Bell, etc.), shopping...
Night—CAN-AM Concluding Social (BBQ/Dinner)
*** Players either stay with parents/guardians @ hotel or go with host families
DAY 4 (Monday, May 25th)
Mid-morning: Meet at Villanova Conference Center; Bus departs for NOTL
*** If attending Div I Championship Game (afternoon game start) - need to provide own transportation
TRIVIA QUESTION: WHO IS THE ONLY PERSON TO BE INDUCTED IN THE NIAGARA-ON-THELAKE SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND CANADIAN & US LACROSSE HALL OF FAMES? (Answer Page 3)
TRANSPORTATION
Just as we did in 2013, a chartered bus will be used for the players,
coaches and/or any parents/family members who wish to ride on the bus
rather than drive themselves. It is a great way for the players to travel as a
team and transport all the equipment. It also allows some parents to drive
on their own at a different time than the bus. The bus also provided transportation for
families and coaches staying at the hotel to the various venues throughout the long
weekend. This proved to be very handy particularly for travel to Lincoln Financial Field to
watch the NCAA lacrosse games as well travel to downtown Philadelphia for site-seeing.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All NOTL players will be billeted by host Philadelphia families. For others travelling to
Philadelphia, we have rooms available at the Villanova University Conference Center,
601 County Rd., Radnor, PA. The hotel is located very close to where the field
lacrosse activities will be taking place. Our hosts managed to secure a great
rate of $119 for the rooms (1 king bed or 2 double beds). To take advantage
of this rate, you need to reserve/book your room by MAY 1, 2015 . This
rate is significantly discounted considering that it is a US holiday weekend.
There are a limited number of rooms on hold for our group...so book ASAP.
Call 610-523-1776 and ask for the “Niagara Lacrosse Guest Room Block”.
2015 NCAA LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Once again, the exchange dates coincide with the NCAA Division I, II & III Lacrosse
Championships (the March Madness for lacrosse). All participants will have the
opportunity to watch the best college lacrosse at the NCAA Lacrosse Championships
which are being held at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the NFL Philadelphia Eagles).
This was definitely one of the highlights of the 2013 exchange. Our hosts even had special tailgate tents just outside the gates of the stadium. The NOTL players (and one
NOTL adult) participated in a parade on Lincoln Financial Field just prior to the first semifinal match — shown on the stadium’s giant video screen! We all then watched lacrosse’s version of the NCAA Final Four (2 x Division 1 Semi-final games).
There are 2 options for tickets:
Saturday May 23 Day Package: gets you into all games held on the Saturday (both Division I semi-final games).
All Session Ticket Package: gets you into all games throughout Championship weekend - Saturday, May 23 (2 x Div I semis); Sunday, May 24 (Div II & III Championship
Games); Monday, May 25 Div I Championship Game.
*** Note: if attending the Mon. May 25th Championship game, you will need to make arrangements for transportation back home as the team bus will depart Philadelphia
around mid-morning on the Monday.
Please let us know ASAP if you are interested in purchasing tickets (which package and how many tickets). Our Philly hosts will try to block (may have to pre-pay)
the tickets so that everyone will be in the same section.
ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION (from page 1): MIKE FRENCH
PROJECTED COSTS PER PARTICIPATING PLAYER:
We are estimating costs per participating player at $350. This includes:
•
Chartered bus transportation
•
Commemorative Sublimated Field Lacrosse Jersey (personalized with name & number)
and other Can-Am gear
•
Saturday May 23 NCAA Lacrosse Championship Day Ticket package
We will be looking at sponsorships and fundraising to help offset some of the expenses.
We know this is a lot of information in short period of time, however we just need to know who is
committed to going on this exchange. We will hold another parents meeting very soon, but it is
important that you book/reserve your hotel room by the deadline (even if you are not sure you
are going). It will be a US long weekend and you will likely not find rooms at such a reasonable
rate.
Our friends from Philly including NOTL Lacrosse Alumni and Hall of Famers, Paul & Mike
French, are excited to host NOTL and promise that this year’s event will be a memorable experience for all participants. As a parent and having experienced both the inaugural CAN-AM CHALLENGE in NOTL (2012) and Philly trip in 2013, I hope that you and your family will be able to join
us in Philadelphia this May and take advantage of this amazing opportunity.
Sincerely,
Giorgio Fragnito
CAN-AM Challenge (Philly Exchange) Co-ordinator
Ph: 905-371-1444 Email: jorgenofish@gmail.com
PROPOSED HOSTING DATES FOR PHILLY TRIP TO NOTL:
It’s been 3 years since NOTL hosted the inaugural CAN-AM EXCHANGE. This year, we are
looking at reciprocating Philly’s hospitality by hosting our friends in August this summer. The
proposed dates are Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, August 30, 2015. These dates are tentative as we are trying to coordinate with Philly and NOTL families. We will need families to volunteer to billet Philly kids attending the exchange. We are looking forward to building on the huge
success of the 2012 CAN-AM Exchange. Please let us know if you are available to participate.