This article appears in the March edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Don’t get the mag? Join US Lacrosse today to start your subscription.

Different kids learn in different ways at different ages.

As teachers by trade, Andy Hayes and Peter Lawrence understood this fact. But as longtime coaches at Episcopal Academy (Pa.) and the University of Hartford, respectively, they saw a void in the sport when it came to providing a curriculum-based lacrosse education.

What Hayes and Lawrence started back in 2007 as a small camp and clinic company called Trashcan Lacrosse has grown into one of the nation’s preeminent club and tournament operators, now known as NXT.

NXT (pronounced “next”) operates one of the lacrosse industry’s largest portfolios of events, each of which meets the highest standards of venue, scheduling, branding, safety and emergency action plans, college coach representation and off-the-field fun.

But a superior educational experience remains integral to NXT’s mission. Trashcan Lacrosse still exists as a 2-on-2 version of the sport that promotes skill development and fun. More than a club, NXT provides academic support, community service opportunities and college counseling in addition to a top-notch lacrosse curriculum taught by full-time high school and youth directors with elite coaching experience.

“It’s a game changer when you have a curriculum-based background,” said Lawrence, who left Hartford after the 2016 season to focus on NXT full time as CEO. “We don’t just roll the balls out. We have a plan.’”

PHOTO COURTESY OF NXT

NXT’s commitment to providing a quality lacrosse experience for both boys and girls, combined with its foundation in educational principles, made it an appealing operating partner for US Lacrosse Nationals, a platform for boys and girls at the 14U, 13U and 12U levels to compete in an elite, but also safe and fair environment. Sanctioned qualifiers allow teams from around the country — including those from non-traditional areas — a real opportunity to compete against the best in their age group.

“We believe this will spur change to how the game is taught, the pace of the game and the importance placed on safety,” Lawrence said. “We also believe it will provide a forum for conversation between US Lacrosse and its membership to better adapt to demands of making the youth game safer, fairer and more competitive.”

US Lacrosse Qualifiers

SOUTH CAROLINA SHOOTOUT (BOYS)
June 2-3
Columbia, S.C.

WILDCARD (BOYS)
June 2-3
Lewisville, Texas

SUMMER JAM (BOYS)
June 9-10
Kennesaw, Ga.

ALL-AMERICAN (GIRLS)
June 9-10
Downingtown, Pa.

MELTDOWN (BOYS)
June 16-17
Downingtown, Pa.

BLUE HEN (BOYS)
June 23-24
Frederica, Del.

RIPPIN AT THE RANCH (BOYS/GIRLS)
June 23-24
Lakewood Ranch, Fla.

THE GRAIL (BOYS/GIRLS)
June 30-July 1
Westfield, Ind.

NXT CUP (BOYS)
July 7-8
Downingtown, Pa.

THE CRABCAKE (GIRLS)
July 14-15
North East, Md.