During the last two weekends of May the Men’s and Women’s Spanish National team each held their own youth clinics in conjunction with the AEL, Spain Lacrosse’s governing organization. Over 80 boys and girls from 10 to 17 years participated in the hugely successful clinics and were lead through drills and stations by National team players and coaches alike.
Thanks to the donations from World Lacrosse, European Lacrosse Federation and Give&Go Foundation the AEL was able to provide kids with all the needed equipment. The town of Azuqueca de Henares, about 50 Kilometers outside of the Spanish capital of Madrid, provided the fields with no cost, making these a completely free clinic to the participants.
Azuqueca was the sight of the Men’s and Women’s National team tryouts, so all senior players were on hand directly afterwards to help teach the game of lacrosse to Spain’s newest players. The majority of the youth players either came from the Lacrosse Para Todos’ youth program located inside of Madrid, or from the local Azuqueca club, which is Spain newest youth organization and already boasts over 80 members, both managed by the AEL's Development Program: Lacrosse Para Todos.
The clinics were undoubtably a huge success with parents, youth players, national team players, and coaches alike all leaving with a memorable experience. Cristina Grijalba, AEL’s General Director and the Spanish Women’s National Team Manager said of the event, “These Youth Clinics mark a historic moment in Lacrosse in Spain. The enthusiasm of these kids and their families with a sport they've just heard of is startling. You can feel that there's something big about to happen in Spain Lacrosse.” She finished by adding that she hopes successful camps like this can be replicated in the future as it has a positive impact of growing the youth game in the country.
Boys Clinic
Girls Clinic