Silverbacks Lacrosse Club: About Our Club

History
SBLC (formerly the Newark Youth Lacrosse Club ) got its start in 1989 by Bob Shillinglaw, current Head Coach of the Men's Lacrosse program at the University of Delaware. Coach Shillinglaw's love for Lacrosse established clinics and games for young athletes from the Greater Newark area to participate in. Today, because of Coach Shillinglaw, SBLC has grown to well over 200 boys and girls in its programs and continues to grow each year. SBLC is a member of the Delaware Youth Lacrosse Association who organizes league games, tournaments and oversees the development of youth lacrosse in the "First State."

Goals and Philosophy
SBLC will provide a safe, fun and positive environment that fosters good sportsmanship and citizenship while learning the skills necessary to play the great game of lacrosse.

Our coaches will teach skills and rules appropriate for each age group and insure playing time for ALL athletes in games and scrimmages.

> Beginning athletes learn the game and develop fundamental skills and a sense of fair play.
> Experienced players refine their skills and learn advanced position and team play.
> Skills are reinforced through playing opportunities for ALL athletes through scrimmages  and  games. Equal playing time is emphasized for beginning and intermediate athletes.
> The advanced athlete is challenged with a competitive team  and game experience.
> The U15 athletes are prepared for the rigor of a high school  lacrosse program.

Teams
Our teams are comprised of boys and girls in four divisions. Pinball Division under 9 years, Midget Division under 11 years, Junior under 13 years and our Senior Division under 15 years of age. All of our teams travel to various game locations in Delaware, Maryland Eastern Shore and/or Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Boys Division
Our U9 teams are organized with a goal of creating teams of equal strength. The anticipated team size is 10 -15 athletes. U11, U13 and U15 teams are organized by age, experience and skill with teams of approximately 20 athletes to insure that each athlete receives maximum playing time. Each team has a minimum of two coaches.

Girls Division
Teams are organized by grade, mixing abilities, with a purpose of creating teams of equal strength. Anticipated team size is 18 - 20 athletes for the 1st/2nd grade, 3/4th grade, 5/6th and 7/8th grade levels to insure that each athlete receives maximum playing time. Each team has a minimum of two coaches.

Coaches
Our coaches have played lacrosse at the high school, collegiate and/or club level. SBLC try's to attract coaches to our programs who possess the same ideals as SBLC.

Equipment
Athletes will be required to have the following equipment for all Divisions. SBLC has a limited supply of equipment available on a first come first serve basis. We also offer assistance purchasing equipment on your behalf at a Coach's Discount. Ask your team rep for more information.

Boys Equipment:
Helmet, (SBLC will attempt to outfit each athlete with a helmet and mouth guard)  Additional equipment needed will be Shoulder Pads, Arm Pads, Gloves, Lacrosse Stick, Cup and Supporter, and Molded Rubber Cleats/Spikes. A deposit of $300 will be required to borrow SBLC Boys equipment.

Girls Equipment: Lacrosse Stick, Eye Shield, Mouth Guard, Footwear - Spikes. A numbered game jersey will be provided as well.

Registration Fee
SBLC charges a $125 registration fee for boys and $125 for girls with family discounts with more than one child.  The fee is used for lacrosse equipment, ref fees, first aid supplies and lining game fields.

US Lacrosse Membership
All SBLC athletes must join US Lacrosse. Membership is $25.00 and provides comprehensive insurance for our athletes for one year. In addition, athletes receive a subscription to Lacrosse Magazine.

Family Discounts and Scholarships
Families registering more than one child receive a $10 registration fee discount for each additional registration. Scholarship help is available to families needing assistance with registration fees and equipment. E-mail: nylc84@verizon.net for more information.

Practice Sessions
First Practice for the Boys Division will be held on Saturday March 12th from 10 AM to 12 PM and the Girls Division First Practice will be held on Sunday March 13th from 1 PM to 3 PM.  This schedule will change to twice a week practice sessions starting after Day Light Savings Time begins.

Practice Session will then switch to Monday and Wednesday evenings for the Girls Division and Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the Boys Division. Practice time will be from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Our Lady of Grace on Chestnut Hill Road in Newark.

Season
All league games will be played on Sunday afternoons for the Boys Division and Girls Division. However, some games will be played on Saturday in the Girls Division when they are scheduled to play teams from Southeastern Pennsylvania's PGLA league.

Boys and Girls Divisions
The spring season runs from early March through late May.

Tournaments
DYLA hosts a round robin tournament at the conclusion of our regular season schedule. All boys and girls youth teams throughout Delaware will participate in an exciting fun day event playing teams from Delaware and surrounding out-of-state youth lacrosse programs.

Parent Support
SBLC depends on the support of parents. We need parents to make sure that their athletes arrive to practice sessions and games on time. Parents are needed to provide refreshments for games such as oranges and be available to carpool for away games. If parents are interested in becoming a Lacrosse coach or referee contact your local team rep for more information.

For More Information
Kevin J. Dempsey
Executive Director

Tel: (302) 737-9087
Email: nylc84@verizon.net

Web site
http://www.nylclax.org