Dear 5 Blue,

Welcome to the team and the 2023 season! It feels appropriate to be starting practices tonight, on the first day of spring and a nice sunny day! Windchill of 45 tonight so gloves strongly recommended, plus sweatshirt and warm jacket. 

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and our assistant, Maddie Radcliffe, and go over some basic info.

I am incredibly excited to coach your daughter and our 5 Blue team this spring! I have been coaching for over 20 years and currently coach with CT Grizzlies, Ambition Club, Gamebreaker Camps, NAC (formerly Sono Fieldhouse) and before coming to Wilton I was the Girls Coaching Director in Westport for 13 years. I enthusiastically attempt to create and enable a positive, successful, and challenging environment for each young athlete. 

Happy to help parents navigate the lacrosse world too. I will be learning the ropes this season as well as it's my first with Wilton, and I look forward to a great season! Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself after practice or a game some time.

A note from Maddie: "Hi! I'm Maddie and I am a senior at Wilton HS. I'm a defender and play with Gold Coast. I've also coached with Gold Coast the past three summers. I'm a certified U.S. Lacrosse Youth Ref, and next year I'll be playing lacrosse at Kenyon college. I am so excited to coach this team!"

*We are looking for a team parent to help with emails and small organization like finding hosts and dates for a team dinner.

GENERAL INFO  

1) Schedule and arrival times:

- Practices are 6-7:30, Mo Tu and Th on Lilly turf. 
- Game schedule will be posted as soon as it's available.

• Please arrive by 5:45 so we can start promptly at 6:00.   
• For games please arrive 45 minutes ahead of time so we can go over anything needed and start warm-ups promptly 30 minutes ahead of time 
• Girls should be ready at start times for warm-ups with shoes on, mouthguard goggles and sticks ready
• Please email me with any absences or late arrivals/early departures at   

2) Equipment:

• Water bottle
• Pinnie - please always wear to practice
• Warm Clothes - layers work best! 
• Mouthguard, goggles and stick are required 
• Appropriate shoes. We may practice and play games on grass sometimes, and cleats are best for grass. On turf, turf shoes or cleats work well, and supportive sneakers are usually fine at this age too. 
• If you have any questions about sticks or other equipment, happy to help! 

3) TEAM

Ask any kid her favorite thing about playing sports and she'll tell you it's being part of a team and the relationships you form. College players will tell you the same thing. 
I believe in effort, attitude, and growth. My goal as a coach is for each player to feel valued, to raise her confidence and courage, and for her to fall in love with the sport. I will challenge her every day to discover her potential, her strength, her resilience and her joy.

I expect your daughter to:

-give her best effort. 
-be kind to her teammates. 
-respect her coaches, officials, teammates and opponents.

**Please do the same. Parents should not talk to any refs, player or coach in a negative manner. 

I would like to take a moment to discourage sideline coaching from parents. I know it can be tempting, but it can also be distracting and confusing for your daughter and others.

That's it for now! Looking forward to an amazing season' Feel free to reach out with questions at  . See everyone tonight at 5:45!

Amy Alvord