In a crowded marketplace, the survivor is often the one who builds a better mousetrap.
That’s the philosophy that motivates lacrosse club operator Go2Sports, parent company for multiple girls’ programs throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. Their mousetrap: offering a “mini-club” experience designed specifically for younger athletes (2nd-4th grade girls) that can serve as just the right introduction to competitive travel lacrosse.
Go2Sports and its partner clubs – South Jersey Select, Ultimate Lacrosse, and Triple Threat – are now offering young players and their families a condensed season that doesn’t compete with spring rec teams and also keeps much of the summer unoccupied. It’s a departure from the traditional year-round training baked into many club programs.
“The focus is on complementing the rec experience by providing additional opportunities for skill development, training, and exposure that supports long-term growth,” said Kali Hartshorn, regional director for Triple Threat Elite. “Rec is where it all starts and we don’t want to pull kids away from those local programs. We’re just offering a little taste of a more competitive environment apart from their rec programs.”
The young athletes benefit from professional coaching, structured practices and competitive game play, all designed to help build fundamental skills and game IQ within a team structure. Each mini-club team aims to have just 6-8 practices in June and participate in two local tournaments.
With limited travel and reduced time demands, families do not have to tailor their entire summer schedule around lacrosse requirements.
“We believe this approach creates a healthier balance for players and families. It keeps the foundation of rec lacrosse strong, reduces unnecessary pressure at a young age, and allows athletes to develop at an appropriate pace while continuing to grow their passion for the game,” Hartshorn said.
Providing more flexibility is a strategy that Go2Sports, a USA Lacrosse member program, hopes to leverage in the crowded club lacrosse landscape. Long-term commitment is optional.
“No doubt, it’s an extremely saturated market and there are a lot of options out there,” Hartshorn said. “We’re offering an alternative to the full-year commitment.”
That doesn’t mean that some of the young athletes who start with the condensed summer campaign don’t transition afterwards to the fuller club experience, which often includes a formal fall season and winter workouts. Like many of its counterparts, Go2Sports and its affiliated clubs offer year-round training and programming for players of all skill levels and ages.
"The club lacrosse experience can be difficult to navigate for some families,” said Stephanie Mullette, vice president of membership & regional growth at USA. “It’s great to see more operators, like Go2Sports, working to make entry into the sport more accessible by providing simpler options and introductory opportunities, particularly for younger participants. We encourage offering a variety of pathways so that all players can develop a love for the game.”
Hartshorn noted that the mini-club option is intentionally simple in order to easily introduce younger players to the club scene.
“It’s just a chance to take a look and see what we’re doing,” she said. “We tell families that it’s like test-driving a car before you decide if you’re actually going to buy it. Parents seem to like the idea, so that’s great.”
About USA Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is certified by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States. USA Lacrosse works to fuel the growth, enrich the experience, and field the best national teams, supporting more than 425,000 members across the country. Learn more here about becoming a USA Lacrosse member.
