Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/28/17
Encore Lacrosse is accepting applications from boys in the classes of 2017 through 2021 for a life-changing lacrosse immersion experience of training, service and cultural development in Ecuador.
Encore Lacrosse – led by former Lower Merion standout and Duke’s Lacrosse coach John Christman – has traveled all over the globe with the mission of expanding the game since 2010. Its international goals are to promote the game of lacrosse, help make it a permanent fixture within the cultural fabric of the areas visited and grow our lifestyle clothing brand. Previous trips to Japan, Colombia, Uganda and Germany have all resulted in a sustained relationship where the missions of both parties continue to be met and upheld.Image may be NSFW.
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Our travels down to Ecuador will have a major focus on men’s lacrosse training, with professional lacrosse players’ and coaches’ sessions each morning to start our day. This is what makes the Encore experience unique: we meet the needs of our lacrosse players who are serious about getting better every day on the field.
After our training sessions are done each day, we will be in the hands of the Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Lacrosse run by Juan Marquez de la Plata. Juan was instrumental in starting lacrosse in Mexico and has been coaching high school lacrosse in the Northern California for 20+ years. Our community service efforts will be met here with a long lasting effect!
Our mission is to visit schools and universities in Guayaquil and introducing the game to as many as possible. Following the Federation of International Lacrosse guidelines, Encore will be hosting the first ever lacrosse match in Guayaquil. The sustainability of our efforts will come to fruition by working to find a permanent director of lacrosse operation on the ground in Ecuador. This director of lacrosse will be supported by Encore, fundraising initiatives and the FIL. More information on Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Lacrosse can be found by clicking here.
In between training and community service, the adventure will start with eating local cuisine, sightseeing, and immersing ourselves fully in Ecuadorian culture. Visiting the Galapagos Islands will be a once in a lifetime experience and a highlight of the trip. From start to finish, this trip will be the best to date, and that is why we are only choosing applicants that are serious about their lacrosse development, open to learning from new and different cultures and have a keen urge to give back.
DATE: July 26th – August 7th
COST: $4999
AGE: INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, JUNIOR, SENIOR, FRESHMEN IN COLLEGE
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Ecuador 2015
Leaders
John Christmas (Offensive Director)
Professional Career:
2010-present LXM Pro
2005-2010 Major League Lacrosse
2005-2010 National Lacrosse League
Collegiate Career:
4 year starter at University of Virginia
2x All-American, 2x All ACC Selection
High School Career:
3 time High School All American
3 time All State Selection
Pennsylvania State Player of the year
Finished career leading scorer in Pennsylvania history (322 points)
Coaching Career:
2005-2009 Lower Merion (PA) High School –Offensive Coordinator
2009-2010 University of Pennsylvania- Assistant Coach (NCAA D1)
2006-2012 Duke\’s HHH and Duke\’s LC Offensive Coordinator
Head Mens Uganda Lacrosse Coach Summer 2011
Board of Directors Brooklyn Lacrosse Club 2013-Present
Turkey Lacrosse Board of Advisors 2012
Johnny Rodriguez (Defensive Director)
President of Ecuador Lacrosse Association
Juan Marquez De La Plata – International Lacrosse Development Expert
Playing Experience:
University of the Pacific
Mexican National Lacrosse Team (2010 World Championships)
Team Hollywood – San Diego (2006-2008)
Lax World Select- Amsterdam (2003)
Palo Alto Lacrosse (2002-Current)
Coaching Experience:
San Marin High School (2010-2015)
Novato High School (2009)
Novato Lacrosse Club (1986-2000)
College of Marin (2006)
Itinerary
Dates: July 26th – August 7th, 2017
Day 1 — Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador
Day 2 — Lacrosse Training & Guayaquil City Tour
Day 3 — Lacrosse Training, Visit Local School & Visit Local Business
Day 4 — Lacrosse Training & Exibition Game
Day 5 — Travel to Galapagos
Day 6 — Galapagos
Day 7 — Galapagos
Day 8 — Galapagos
Day 9 — Travel back to Guayaquil & Lacrosse Training
Day 10 — Travel to Salinas, Lacrosse Training, Local Salinas Market & Salinas Siglo XXI Museum
Day 11 — La Chocolatera & Salinas Beach Lacrosse
Day 12 — Travel to Guayaquil
Day 13 — Fly Home
Destinations – Ecuador Cultural Lacrosse Immersion 2017
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guayaquil is a port city in Ecuador, known as a gateway to Pacific beaches and the Galapagos Islands. Stretching along the Guayas River is the waterfront Simón Bolívar promenade, home to La Rotonda monument. In the north, Las Peñas is a neighborhood full of colorful houses. Stairs lined with cafes and art galleries lead up Santa Ana Hill, site of Santa Ana chapel, a lighthouse and views of the city.
After our morning lacrosse training, we will journey into the city Guayaquil and see sights such as El Malecón 2000, Escalinatas del Cerro de Santa Ana, Artisans Market and more.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It’s considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing. A province of Ecuador, it lies about 1,000km off its coast. Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else. Charles Darwin visited in 1835, and his observation of Galápagos’ species later inspired his theory of evolution.
We will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station which is home to giant tortoises. We will explore the islands and see all the diverse wild life such as Blue-footed boobies, Lava Lizzards, Marine iguana’s and Galapagos finches.
Salinas, Ecuador
Salinas is a coastal town on the western tip of Ecuador’s Santa Elena province. It’s known for its popular beaches, like San Lorenzo and Chipipe, which are both hugged by the palm-lined Malecón promenade. Near the promenade El Museo de Ballenas features whales, dolphins and sea lions. Migratory humpback whales pass the rocky point of La Chocolatera, which offers panoramic views over the Pacific Ocean.
We will visit La Chocolatera. which is the most salient point of South America in the Pacific. You might even see a humpback whale pass by.
Downtown Tour of Salinas. We will walk the Malecon Promenade and take in local culture of this small coastal fishing town. Visit the Museo de Ballenas.
Salinas Beach. Time to play beach lacrosse!