Regarded as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse is a fun and high energy team game played using a small ball and a long-handled stick.
The sport is growing quickly, capturing the interest of education, sport and community groups. The athleticism, skills and finesse needed are pulling kids and adults of all ages to engage in lacrosse.
The sport requires both mental and physical approach that encourages the breakdown of barriers through its cohesive nature both on and off the field of play and is proving successful in Qatar as an new sport offering introduced through a school’s Physical Education curriculum, as revealed by GEMS American Academy, Al Wakrah.
Following are the excerpts from interviews with the people behind bringing lacrosse to the school.
Clifford – Health and Physical Education Teacher
Personally, why did you connect so strongly with lacrosse and its introduction at GEMS?
I feel it is very important to introduce our students to a variety of sports from around the world. With the full support from the management team, we committed to a lacrosse programme and invested in some start-up equipment.
Up until a year ago, I myself was a newcomer to the sport of lacrosse. It didn’t take long until I knew this sport would offer our students a fun activity that could go a long way towards developing their coordination, as well as establishing team spirit within our co-ed students. We decided to introduce lacrosse to our 4th grade students (9 years old) as I headed up the new programme initially and welcomed the challenge ahead.
What has surprised you the most in the time you have spent delivering the programme?
The speed in which the students grasped the skills and techniques required to play lacrosse, was by far the biggest surprise.
All of our students entered into lacrosse with no prior experience of the sport; thus providing the perfect opportunity to outline the rules, tactics and the correct use of equipment. This was a basis for them to build on good habits and sport discipline.
As we progressed, the children rapidly demonstrated skills and showed unity as a team. Their ability to pick the ball up, pass it on the move and shoot to the goal-all improved. Their confidence in using the lacrosse stick grew and team communication was much stronger in comparison to the other activities we practised this year.
Could you please share a memory to illustrate your point?
During the first week of the Lacrosse programme some of the students began to get a little frustrated as they were unable to catch and pass the ball without some mistake; however, it gave me great joy to see their effort, determination and patience pay off and in turn provided a great environment for us all to learn.
By the end of the programme, our students were well equipped to showcase their development in a game setting. As a teacher, it was so rewarding to see how they had progressed. Their passing, shooting, co-ordination, moving into space and general communications skills had greatly improved. Frustration levels had disappeared and they were confident and comfortable in action.
Jose Romero – Head of Health and Physical Education
How was lacrosse first introduced to GEMS?
GEMS American Academy and the Qatar Lacrosse Association (QLA) met in 2016 to discuss and plan out a suitable approach that would fit our particular requirements. We had the firm idea of introducing a new sport activity in our school, and together with the QLA, we made it happen.
The QLA team helped us from the very beginning providing valuable information and ready-to-go resource literature for our teaching staff to use in their lesson planning. The success of the pilot programme and positive feedback from our students was more than enough to move the sport to the next level. As a result we have since expanded our programme to grades 8 (13yrs) and 10 (15yrs) with a great response.
In what ways did you receive any guidance prior to implementing a new sport offering at GEMS?
The QLA provided practical lessons and training clinics for those who wanted to develop their knowledge and understanding of lacrosse both as a player and/or an instructor. These sessions proved immensely helpful for our teachers and provided them with the basics to take the sport forward with our students.
Is GEMS planning to expand on its success with the programme in the coming months, and if so, what is in the pipeline to involve more school students in the sport?
The next step is very clear for us. We will keep working in this line, introducing lacrosse into our Physical Education Curriculum and give the opportunity to our students to practice all kind of sports. Our approach is to start small and try to grow every year. We are also looking to add lacrosse to our After School Activities Program and work is already underway to establishing a GEMS Lacrosse team to compete with other schools in Qatar.
Stephen Kellett – Elementary School Principal
How can lacrosse strengthen bonding and break down barriers among school students?
Lacrosse is a fantastic sports unit of ours here at GEMS American Academy. Not only does Lacrosse bring forth its rich history from North America, but it also lends a colossal hand in building teamwork, as well as developing a collaborative skillset for our students.
Also, in what ways is GEMS planning to advance the strengths lacrosse brings as a sport to better engage with the community?
I really appreciate the way that lacrosse brings our students together. The students have seen that it is only through teamwork that they can really succeed with this sport.
Mark Lentz –Head of School/CEO
How can lacrosse strengthen bonding and break down barriers among school students?
Lacrosse is a competitive team sport that provides an excellent opportunity for students to bond and break down social barriers. Lacrosse fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst team members.
Many of our students are new to Lacrosse and this means that most students start on an equal footing. Learning this new sport has provided an opportunity for our students to be challenged and develop from their comfort zone socially and physically.
Also, in what ways is GEMS planning to advance the strengths lacrosse brings as a sport to better engage with the community?
GEMS is a rapidly growing school here in Qatar. We are definitely looking to continue our team sports programmes both by adding new sports like lacrosse and competing competitively with other schools in the region.
David Heywood – QLA Founder
Your thoughts on the pilot programme?
As a result of the GEMS lacrosse pilot programme, 60 kids experienced lacrosse for the first time and within a mere six months of its expansion programme, lacrosse has reached a staggering 120 students and counting. The future is very bright for the sport of lacrosse at GEMS American Academy.
Gibran al-Bader – QLA Director
How does the pilot programme relate to the growth of lacrosse in Qatar?
It was clear from the outset that the staff and its students at GEMS American Academy displayed an exciting energy towards learning, health and sport activity. Teaming up with GEMS is great for the sport of lacrosse and for advancing new sport offerings within Qatar schools.
The GEMS success story is a great testimony to the commitment and passion its staff deliver to enhance the learning experience of its students.
The GEMS lacrosse students and team with QLA’s Leading Light.
