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. Quix Stix is not a “travel” sports program. Rather, consistent with the approach of 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 twenty-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 - While this is not a “travel” program, we expect that if you register, 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. To further our goal of forming balanced teams, players will be placed on teams via a “blind draft.”
Practice and Game Location: Girls in the 5/6 and 7/8 programs will practice and play at Wilson Park and
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.
Grades 3 and 4: In or before February 2009, you will be notified of your team placement and coach. 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 (generally on a Monday) 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: In or before February 2009, you will be notified of your team placement, practice nights, and coach. 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 against teams from other townships’ programs.
Grades 7 and 8: In or before February 2009, you will be notified of your team placement, practice nights, and coach. Practices begin in early March. Each team will practice one time per week. Practice nights and times will vary depending on the team on which your daughter is placed. Games will begin in April and will be held on Saturday afternoons. Each team will play games against other Quix Stix teams and against teams from other townships’ programs.
Post-Season 5th/6th Grade Tournament Team: Team members will be selected via a competitive tryout. The coaches from each regular season Quix Stix team will select a view players from their team to tryout. Please note - there will be cuts. The judges selecting the team are not affiliated with Quix Stix, and even if a player made the team as a 5th grader, there is no guarantee that she will make the team as a 6th grader. Those girls selected to the team will play in a series of Summer and Fall tournaments, and in winter leagues.
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.
KEY DATES
Registration will be Online Only and starts on October 1, 2008
In or about February 2009 – Girls contacted by their coaches
Early March 2009 – Practices begin for girls in grades 5-8.
Mid- to Late-March 2009 - Practices begin for girls in grades 3-4.
Late March/Early April 2009 – Games begin
Late April 2009 – Conestoga High Clinic for girls in grades 3-8
Mid-May 2009 - Quix Stix night at Conestoga High School Girls Lacrosse Game
Mid-May 2009 – Tryouts for Post-season 5th/6th grade tournament team.
Memorial Day (give or take a week) – Regular season ends
First Sunday in June 2009 – PAGLA Play Day (tournament open to all players)
