The Soft Lacrosse-Newark (SLN) program got its start in August of 2015. Directed by East Side HS Head Boys Lacrosse Coach John Dudley and Soft Lacrosse Founder & Coach Bob Turco, SLN has found a home in the Brick City. Soft Lacrosse was started by Coach Turco in 1983 at the Fayson Lakes, NJ Beach Club. It was used as a tool to teach the young brothers and sisters of the Kinnelon Lacrosse team the skills of the game. Thirty years later, it has evolved into a national program that has leagues throughout New Jersey and West Virginia.

SLN has a goal to teach the basic lacrosse skills to K-8th Grade boys and girls in a safe, controlled, competitive and fun way. It teaches leadership, self-esteem, teamwork and self-reliance. SLN is currently located in two Newark Public Schools, Ann Street School and Rafael Hernandez School. SLN is primarily a K-4 early development program, but can be adjusted to service Grades 5-8. Participants will be instructed by members of the East Side HS Boy’s & Girl’s Lacrosse Teams, acting as Mentor-Coaches along with Coach Dudley and Coach Turco. On October 19, 2015, SLN went live as 36 1st-4th Graders learned the game at Ann Street School. SLN is in the process of registering K-8 Grade Boys & Girls at Rafael Hernandez School. The goal is to develop players to eventually suit up for the Red Raiders of East Side HS and compete for titles and championships in the State of New Jersey.

For more information on Soft Lacrosse-Newark, contact Coach John Dudley at urbanexposurelax@nullgmail.com or go to www.softlacrosse.org. Visit Soft Lacrosse-Newark on Facebook.