$3,000 – Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association
The Community Foundation of Teton Valley was honored to award this $3,000 grant to the Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association for the purchase of National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) certified chest protectors. The Foundation strongly supports the purchase of safety-certified lacrosse equipment to further protect Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association participants and keep Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association in compliance with national lacrosse safety standards to be eligible for USA Lacrosse sanctioned tournaments.
Effective in 2022, USA Lacrosse, the sport’s governing body in the US, issued a requirement to have NOCSAE-certified chest and shoulder pads to ensure player safety. The purpose of the requirement is to prevent a rare, but a deadly accident that can occur when a projectile (like a lacrosse ball) hits the chest causing low-impact trauma that can lead to the heart’s change in normal rhythm and subsequently to sudden cardiac arrest. This medical condition is called commotio cordis and requires immediate CPR and defibrillation to restore the heart’s rhythm. The best way to inhibit the occurrence of commotio cordis is prevention. NOCSAE has produced specific safety standards for lacrosse gear, which USA Lacrosse has been incorporating into its safety protocols.
In response to the new safety requirements and to further protect its participants, Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association needs additional chest and shoulder equipment that meets the current safety standard. About two-thirds of 100 participants enrolled in its spring session use Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association’s rental program for their gear needs. Currently, Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association has about 20 chest protectors/shoulder pads for its rental fleet. Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association is seeking to provide further protection for its players and expand the gear inventory for its rental fleet for all who need it.
Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association will use this grant to purchase NOCSAE-certified shoulder pads and chest protectors to augment its gear rental package for program participants. Equipment costs, travel expenses, and tournament fees can quickly add up quickly. By providing affordable and safe lacrosse gear, plus scholarships, Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association can make lacrosse a sport anyone can afford to play, safely.
The Community Foundation commends the important work of Teton Valley Youth Lacrosse Association in making lacrosse safer and accessible to boys and girls in Teton Valley for its Spring 2022 season and beyond.
