This article appears in the March 2020 edition of US Lacrosse Magazine. Don’t get the mag? Head to USLacrosse.org to subscribe.

The US Lacrosse National Team Development Program (NTDP) is a three-phase process for high school-aged boys’ and girls’ players to qualify for U15 and U17 USA Select teams and receive world-class training.

Note: The first three events for 2020 are postponed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Updated schedules for boys’ tryouts can be found here, and updated schedules for girls’ tryouts can be found here.

WHERE WE'RE GOING

Register for a 2020 regional trial near you. Go to teamusa.uslacrose.org/NTDP.

CASCADE/MAVERIK

Cascade Maverik Lacrosse is the official helmet supplier and an official equipment supplier of the National Team Development Program, part of a multi-year partnership agreement signed with US Lacrosse in January. 

SHE’S A NAT-URAL

Natalie Wills is the senior manager of the National Team Development Program at US Lacrosse. A former four-year starting goalie at Vanderbilt, Wills played for the U.S. national team in 2009-10, which allows her to speak from experience when conveying just how special it is to represent the red, white and blue.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Alex Giacobbe won’t soon forget the summer of 2019. The junior attackman from Manhasset, N.Y., suited up for the USA Select U15 team. 

“The experience my son had with US Lacrosse this summer far exceeded our expectations,” wrote Pamela Giacobbe, Alex’s mother. “I don’t think we truly had a grasp on what it would mean to be a part of this team, but you made it a memory that will last forever.”

Giacobbe’s cousin, Maryland freshman faceoff specialist Conor Calderone, qualified for the U.S. U19 training team and hopes to compete this summer in Limerick, Ireland.

“We are so hopeful that he will make the final team,” Pamela Giacobbe wrote. “It will be a fabulous trip for my whole extended family—and maybe give Alex another taste of what could possibly be in his future.”

BY THE NUMBERS

1,487

Athletes that competed in 21 regional trials, put on in partnership with the PLL and WPLL, in 2019.

300

Athletes selected to travel to the national combine at US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md.

14

Gold medals accumulated by the coaches who led the NTDP Combine last August.

88

Players chosen for USA U17 and U15 Select boys’ and girls’ teams that beat Team Ontario at the Fall Classic.

3

Girls with hat tricks in both U15 wins: Kori Edmondson, Gianna Monaco and Kaylie Mackiewicz.