Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/5/16
From Press release
Featured on ESPN, the 2015 Courage Game was a groundbreaking lacrosse event to help encourage and support gay youth and promote wider education and awareness for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender equality.
That game was created by 12-year-old Philly native Braeden Lange and his family after Lange came out and wanted to do something to help other gay male lacrosse players.
This year, the Courage Game is even bigger and better with sponsors like Nike, Gatorade, U.S. Lacrosse and the You Can Play Project. Powered by NXTsports, the Courage Game has added a girls’ division to the May 29 event at Penn Park over the NCAA championship weekend. Girls’ games will be held at the U9, U11, U13 and U15 levels along with boys’ games at the U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, high school and adult levels. No high school girls may participate in the Courage Game to avoid conflicts with NCAA recruiting regulations.
“The core of this event is rooted in gender-related issues, so it made sense to include both genders moving forward,” NXTlacrosse Girls Director Kate Henwood said. “Women’s lacrosse is significantly further ahead of men’s in terms of inclusion and awareness of LGBT issues within our sport, but there’s never been an event to rally behind. Bringing everyone together to one event helps unify and strengthen the message of the Courage Game.”
The Sunday morning games at Penn Park provide the perfect complement to the noon NCAA Division I championship game at Talen Energy Park. College coaches will participate as adult mentors at the Courage Game and all youth girls’ lacrosse players in the greater Philadelphia area are encouraged to attend and play in the Courage Game to support LGBT awareness, especially as it pertains to youth sports participation. Anyone interested in playing can register at couragegame.org.
“I just want all kids to be able to live their truth with pride.” Braeden Lange said.
“We are so excited to be adding girls’ games to The Courage Game this year,” said Scott and Mandy Lange, Braeden’s parents. “Watching the games go from an idea we all had to support our son a year ago to now expanding to girls lacrosse’ and soon other sports is a reward in itself. We’re excited for the message of inclusivity to be supported by so many more people from youth athletes to their parents and beyond.”
Numerous nationwide and local media outlets are expected to attend the 2016 Courage Game. Other Courage Game partners include House of Talent PA, Saxbys, Wegmans, Geno’s Steaks, STX and Bombas.
For more information, visit couragegame.org.