ABOUT US
We make learning and playing lacrosse available in the DC, Northern VA, and Tampa metro areas to boys and girls (ages 5-14), in a safe and fun environment for kids to learn and grow!
Furthermore, we assist these boys and girls to help them reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible young men and women.
How did we get here?
WINNERS Lacrosse is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was started in October 2000 to provide Washington, DC boys and girls, from underserved neighborhoods, the opportunity to learn the game of lacrosse and the life skills associated with playing a team sport. Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, we are able to provide all equipment and programming completely free to our participants!
At WINNERS Lacrosse we believe that sports change lives. WINNERS Lacrosse uses the game as the vehicle to instill values, education and life sustaining skills that will give young boys and girls the tools to be successful on and off the field. Our clinics, camps, teams and after school programs include these virtues as part of the curriculum.
Our Reach over 25 Years
20,000+
in Washington, DC
400+
in Tampa
100+
in Northern VA
Why Lacrosse?
For more than a decade, lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing team sports in the country and that trend continues:
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Youth Participation:
Over 850,000 players participated in lacrosse nationwide in 2023 (US Lacrosse).
Youth lacrosse participation grew by +40% between 2012 and 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country.
High School Lacrosse:
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), lacrosse is among the top 10 fastest-growing high school sports.
From 2012 to 2022:
Boys’ high school lacrosse participation increased by ~27%.
Girls’ participation increased by ~43%.
College Lacrosse:
NCAA men’s lacrosse teams increased from ~360 in 2012 to over 430 by 2023.
Women’s NCAA lacrosse teams grew even faster, increasing from ~350 to over 470 in the same period.
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Television & Streaming:
ESPN, ESPN+, and other major platforms now regularly air NCAA championships and Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) games.
The PLL signed a multi-year broadcast deal with ESPN/ABC in 2022.
Premier Lacrosse League (PLL):
Launched in 2019, the PLL merged with Major League Lacrosse in 2020, creating a unified pro league.
The PLL reported double-digit increases in TV ratings and digital engagement in 2022 and 2023.
Over 300% growth in social media followers since the league’s inception.
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Non-Traditional Markets:
Historically dominant in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, lacrosse is now booming in:
California
Texas
Florida
Colorado
These states have seen youth and high school lacrosse teams grow 2–4x in the last decade.
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Youth & Club Industry:
The U.S. youth lacrosse industry (including club teams, travel leagues, tournaments) is now a multi-billion-dollar sector, with growing infrastructure in coaching, facilities, and gear.
Lacrosse gear sales and equipment markets grew by over 35% from 2015 to 2022 (SGMA data).
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Increase in Players of Color:
According to USA Lacrosse’s 2022 participation report:
Approximately 28% of youth lacrosse participants identified as non-white, up from 17% in 2012.
That includes increases among Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous players across all age groups.
College-Level Progress:
In 2012, fewer than 9% of NCAA lacrosse players identified as non-white.
By 2022, that figure rose to over 15%, with the most notable growth in women’s lacrosse.
HBCUs have also begun adding or expanding lacrosse programs (see below).
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HBCU Investment:
In 2021, Howard University added women’s lacrosse to its athletic offerings.
In 2022, Morgan State University announced the reinstatement of its men’s lacrosse team after 40 years, with help from a $2.7M investment by the PLL and other partners.
This marks the first NCAA DI men’s lacrosse program at an HBCU in decades.
Urban Outreach Programs:
Nonprofits like Harlem Lacrosse, Nation United, and Bronx Lacrosse have introduced thousands of students of color to the game:
Harlem Lacrosse serves over 1,000 youth annually in cities like NYC, Philly, and L.A.
Students in these programs have higher school attendance and graduation rates than their peers, according to internal data.
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Notable Athletes & Media Presence:
Trevor Baptiste (PLL, Team USA) became the first Black male lacrosse player to win the Tewaaraton Award finalist honors and is now one of the most visible pros in the game.
Women’s players like Taylor Cummings and Charlotte North have helped grow interest and visibility in a more diverse fan base.
The PLL and World Lacrosse both now track and report on diversity statistics and have launched DEI councils.
Lacrosse combines skills used in soccer, football, baseball/softball, basketball, track & field, hockey, and almost every sport out there into one fast-paced, high scoring game.
Testimonials
“My daughters are thankful for being able to experience lacrosse for the first time with such a great group of coaches...A HUGE thank you for offering a free week, we never would have simply ‘tried’ it otherwise.”
“I think you have compiled a great staff - they always seem prepared, ready to help, and interacted really well with the players as far as I could tell. On your end, the organization and weekly emails were super helpful in making sure I was prepared for each session I could attend.”
Our Mission
WINNERS Lacrosse is dedicated to developing the whole person to promote holistic growth and success - empowering youth through the game of lacrosse while nurturing social-emotional skills, cultural enrichment, and leadership development, ensuring every child thrives both on and off the field of play.
