Pioneer Quix Stix Program Information
Pioneer Quix Stix was founded by Sue Frazier and Debbie Havrilla in the mid-1990s. The program started with one team of about 15 girls practicing on a small field at
General Information: Pioneer Quix Stix, Inc. is the girls lacrosse program for residents of Tredyffrin/Easttown Township in grades 3 through 8. Quix Stix is affiliated with the Philadelphia Area Girl’s Lacrosse Association (PAGLA), and is a non-profit organization run by volunteers. Consistent with PAGLA, Quix Stix is designed to (i) introduce newcomers to, and reacquaint less experienced players with the game of lacrosse; (ii) teach and reinforce fundamentals; (iii) help experienced players continue to develop their skills, and (iv) provide a fun team experience for the girls. At each level of the program, the goal is to teach and to prepare the girls for the next level of lacrosse. The season begins in March and will end around Memorial Day.
The approach taken by our program has generated tremendous results. Over thirty-five high school All Americans got their start in lacrosse with Quix Stix. Needless to say, we take great pride in that fact.Commitment: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - The expectation of the program is that your daughter is committed to making practices and games. In past years, there have been a number of occasions when Quix Stix teams have not had enough players to practice or play games. This is disappointing not only to the coaches who volunteer their time, but also to the girls who do make each practice and game. We understand that periodically there will be conflicts with other activities. However, to be fair to coaches, teammates, and the teams against which we play, we expect that by registering, your daughters are committed to making their team’s practices and games.
Teams: Quix Stix tries to form teams that are balanced in terms of strength. Therefore, we do not honor requests to be placed on particular teams or with particular coaches or friends. To further our goal of forming balanced teams, players will be placed on teams via a “blind draft” (with the exception of the 7th and 8th grade Quix Stix Blazers teams).
Equipment: All girls will need (1) mouthguard; (2) protective eyegear, and (3) a lacrosse stick. Cleats or turf shoes are recommended, but not required. Any player who comes to practice or a game without a mouthguard and eye gear will not be permitted to play. This is a safety rule and there are no exceptions. Note: Please remember that all jewerly to include earrings must be removed prior to practice or games.
Communication: The program web site - www.PioneerQuixStix.com - and email are the primary means of communication about practices, games, and schedule changes due to weather conditions, etc. If you do not have an email address, please let us know and we will make sure that you are contacted by phone.
3 and 4: You will be notified of your team placement and coach around the beginning of March. Practices will begin in mid- to late-March. Prior to the beginning of daylight savings time, practices will run from 5:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m. After daylight savings time begins, practices will run from 5:30 p.m. up to 7:00 p.m. One night a week all the 3/4s will practice together in a “clinic” format in which the girls rotate through various stations to learn/improve fundamental skills such as cradling, ground balls, passing/catching, shooting, and defense. On one other night a week, the girls will practice with their teams and also scrimmage other Quix Stix teams. Games will begin in April and will be held on Saturdays. Most, if not all, games will be in the “intramural” format, i.e., playing against other Quix Stix teams.
Grades 5 and 6: You will be notified of your team placement, practice nights, and coach by the beginning of March. Practices begin in early March. Each team will practice 2 evenings per week, usually from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. prior to daylight savings time and from either 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. after daylight savings time begins. Practice nights will vary depending on the team on which your daughter is placed. Games will begin in April and will be held on Saturdays. Each team will play games against other Quix Stix teams and possibly against teams from other townships’ programs.
Grades 7 and 8: You will be notified of your team placement, practice nights, and coach by the beginning of March. Practices begin in early March. Each team will practice one time per week - usually Sunday afternoon. Games will begin in April and will be held on Saturday afternoons. The two teams will play against one another and then play teams from other townships' programs. The 7th and 8th grade Quix Stix Blazers teams will be playing all outside township teams.
Grades 7 and 8 Quix Stix Blazers: All 7th and 8th graders will have the opportunity to be evaluated for the Quix Stix Blazers teams. These teams are dedicated to players within the program who do not have other spring conflicts that may interfere with attendance to all games and practices. There will be two teams selected from a tryout, an 8th grade team and a 7th grade team. A parents information meeting regarding the Blazers teams will be held in January, time and place TBA. Evaluation of all interested 7th and 8th grade players will take place in February. Interested players must be a registered Quix Stix player in order to attend tryouts. The practice and game schedule will be similar to past years for the 7th/8th graders. Beginning in early March, practice will be once per week, on Sundays, and games will be played on Saturdays against teams in our surrounding townships. The team will also participate in a couple of Play Days. The players selected to the Blazers will pay an additional cost to cover incremental fees associated with the teams, such as coaching and Play Day costs. Any player not selected for the Blazers or who chooses not to try out for the teams will be placed on one of the two remaining 7th/8th teams in accordance with our goal of balanced teams (see Teams above).
Financial Assistance: Financial assistance is available. Please send an e-mail to PioneerQuixStix@gmail.com. All such requests are handled in a strictly confidential manner.
