Lacrosse Hall of Famer Casey Powell to host free clinics for all
The Chicago Park District and SPEED Lacrosse, led by lacrosse superstar and Hall of Fame member Casey Powell, will team up to present a week of lacrosse fun, education and action this summer at the inaugural Great Wide Open Lacrosse Festival, which will take place the week of Aug. 6 and culminates with the Great Wide Open on the shore of Lake Michigan at Montrose Beach, 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive on Aug. 11-12.
The week-long Great Wide Open Lacrosse Festival will feature youth tournaments for boys and girls ages 7-18, free SPEED Lacrosse clinics hosted by Casey Powell, a ProSPEED exhibition featuring a variety of professional lacrosse players and an open play opportunity where area coaches, parents and lacrosse fans ages 19 to 99 will be encouraged to grab a stick and feel the SPEED.
SPEED Lacrosse is a pioneering new sport that reduces barriers to entry and extends the playing life of those who love the sport. Rooted in the traditions of box and field lacrosse, SPEED's "½ x 10" philosophy (10 times the touches in half the time) and the design of the game are specifically intended to introduce the sport to new players and increase engagement in fun and competitive ways. Each 3 v 3 match features continuous action that aids in the development of stick skills, fitness, foot speed, communication & field IQ. There is no mandated equipment except for a regulation lacrosse stick and mouth guard. Eye protection is permitted and no long poles or goalie sticks are allowed.
"SPEED Lacrosse is the pure lacrosse I played with my brothers in the back yard and it turns out many others did as well. No pads, no helmets and no set goalies. Just 3 v 3 game play with a lot of action, a lot of goals and a lot of fun" said Casey Powell, a founder of SPEED Lacrosse. "We are thrilled to bring the Great Wide Open Lacrosse Festival to Chicago and the Great Wide Open to Montrose Beach this August. Fun and food, family and friends, rocking music and non-stop lacrosse - it will be the highlight of the summer".
"We are excited to host the inaugural Great Wide Open this summer at Montrose Beach and to bring the opportunity to play and enjoy lacrosse to young Chicago athletes who are sure to love the game" said Mike Kelly, General Superintendent and CEO, Chicago Park District. "Quality and innovative events are the hallmark of the Chicago Park District. No doubt the Great Wide Open Lacrosse Festival will be another great example."
The cost to register for the Great Wide Open is $125 per player.
Additional information including a detailed schedule of events for the week and early registration incentives for the Open are now available at the SPEED Lacrosse website at speedlacrosse.com.