July 3, 2025
Uptown Lacrosse, the Harlem-based sports activities workforce wraps up its inaugural season..
Lacrosse is more and more standard throughout the New York Metropolis boroughs, because of organizations like Uptown Lacrosse. Established in 2024 by former Princeton College lacrosse participant Bruce Lincoln, the nonprofit group goals to introduce the game to Black and Brown youth within the metropolis.
“The important thing factor about Uptown Lacrosse is it’s about having enjoyable,” Lincoln advised The Metropolis. “We’re not making an attempt to provide professional lacrosse gamers. We’re simply making an attempt to unfold the attain of the sport so extra children can get pleasure from.”
Lacrosse is a aggressive sport that originated from the Native American recreation of baggataway, the place two groups of gamers use long-handled, racket-like devices to catch, carry, or throw a ball down the sector or into the opponents’ purpose. The game has seen a major rise in reputation in New York Metropolis over the previous 20 years, because of organizations like Bronx Lacrosse and Harlem Lacrosse, the place Lincoln served as govt director for 3 years.
Uptown Lacrosse stands out from different organizations as the one youth-based lacrosse program that isn’t primarily based in colleges. The group gives free teaching to 27 children aged 5 to 12. The employees contains roughly seven volunteer coaches and makes use of tools donated by STX, Princeton College, and USA Lacrosse. To maintain gamers secure, Uptown Lacrosse teaches a non-contact model of the game, utilizing softer balls and protecting goggles as a substitute of helmets.
Uptown Lacrosse moved its signature occasion, “Uptown L-Ball on the Rucker,” from its authentic June 22 date at Holcombe Rucker Memorial Basketball Courtroom in Harlem to this previous Saturday, June 28 , as a consequence of inclement climate. As a substitute, the occasion happened on the Madison Boys and Ladies Pinkerton Clubhouse on a hundred and fifty fifth Road and Bradhurst Avenue. Designed to highlight younger athletes’ lacrosse expertise, the occasion additionally featured highschool and faculty groups competing in three-on-three matches.
Terrence Brown, a Harlem native, says he’s proud to see his son taking part in a sport he by no means had the prospect to play.
“Once I was a child, lacrosse wasn’t even a factor, it was all basketball or nothing,” Brown advised The Metropolis.
Now the sport is creating new alternatives for the following era within the historic neighborhood the place he was raised.
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