Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/21/18
From Press Release
Clik here to view.
Josie Ferri Tomaino
Philly Blast Club Director Josie Ferri Tomaino, who played collegiately at Haverford College and now head coaches at Episcopal Academy, will serve as Women’s Professional Lacrosse League Futures Director for Pennsylvania.
Ferri Tomaino and a team of WPLL players will hold a regional tryout on Sunday April 15th at Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade players interested in taking part in the Pennsylvania branch of the WPLL Futures Program. A character and leadership intensive program, Futures is not intended to replace or interfere with a player’s high school or club commitments.
“Pennsylvania has a long list of talented collegiate and high school lacrosse players,” explained WPLL Founder Michele DeJuliis, who played for Penn State University. “We are excited to bring the Futures Program to Pennsylvania and empower the next generation of female lacrosse players from the region.”
Central to the WPLL’s mission is helping the next generation of female lacrosse talent grow into strong, confident leaders. With the help of partners Victory Academy and Brave Enterprises, the WPLL’s Futures Program is designed to expose high school players across the country to lacrosse and leadership experiences that will prepare them for any challenges they may face.
Players selected for the Futures Program will receive a mix of lacrosse and life skills that will help them for life. Futures players will also have the opportunity to play in a national tournament this summer, competing against top-talent from across the country.
The tryout consists of a variety of lacrosse and fitness drills that will be run by Ferri Tomaino and a team of WPLL players. In addition to meeting and learning from WPLL pros, all players that attend the April 15th tryout will be given access to online curriculum designed to test and improve their leadership and bravery skills. After the evaluations are completed, 60 players will be named to the three Pennsylvania Futures teams, 20 players from each grade.
Ferri Tomaino, a Pennsbury alum, graduated from Haverford College with a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Neural and Behavioral Sciences. She also holds a Masters degree in Sport Management from Drexel University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
As a midfielder on the women’s lacrosse team, she led the Fords in scoring, points, draws and free-position goals every season of her college career. Ferri Tomaino graduated with 240 points (174g, 66a), holding the record for career draw controls and free position goals. In her first four seasons coaching at Episcopal Academy, Ferri Tomaino led the program to two Inter-AC league championships (2014, 2017), one state championship (2016) and an overall record of 82-18. In 2016, she was named Phillylacrosse.com High Honorable Mention Girls’ Coach of the Year.
“As a current high school coach and club director, I feel very passionate about using lacrosse to develop character and leadership in young student-athletes,” explained Ferri Tomaino. “As our sport continues to grow, the need to shape talented players into the next generation of brave and inspired leaders also grows.
“The WPLL’s Futures Program is poised as an incredibly unique opportunity for young women to dynamically develop, both on and off the field. I am extremely grateful and excited to be a part of the process for Pennsylvania!”
“Josie Ferri Tomaino is a great addition to the WPLL Futures program and we are excited to have her working with our Pennsylvania players,” explained WPLL Commissioner Jen Adams. “Josie is incredible knowledgeable when it comes to the Pennsylvania lacrosse world, and her experiences with Sports Management and Psychology guarantee that Futures players will be working with a confident, experienced professional.”