Last April 2022, Henrik Lundqvist Foundation Ambassador Max Warden, helped the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut launch a youth lacrosse program. Through equipment donations and fundraising, Max was able to give the School enough boys and girls sticks, and balls, so the students could learn lacrosse during their physical education classes. Max partnered with the well known and beloved coach Pat Jackson who provided a series of clinics to the kindergarten and first grade classes over the course of the spring. Through this partnership, Pat was also able to offer tuition assistance to those students who wanted to continue playing in the summer, which was awesome.
The Waterside School is a pre-K through fifth-grade school that provides outstanding academic opportunities to students, regardless of income or circumstance. Max was drawn to helping this School because they were eager to start a new platform to teach its youngest students lacrosse but needed assistance. Max, a junior at the Brunswick School, and a member of its Varsity lacrosse team, said, “lacrosse has been an important part of my life since I was young. I was so fortunate to have all of the equipment I needed and was able to learn from incredible coaches along the way. My journey has taught me so much about the value of hard work, the joy of a team, the rewards and disappointment of wins and defeat, and I want others to benefit from a similar experience.” Max was able to tap into friends and family to raise $4,800 towards this effort.
Max is hopeful that some of these fantastic kids will stick with lacrosse or be inspired to try others, learning important lessons taught on the field. The Waterside School is now in a position to continue offering classes and coaching to its athletes! As lacrosse season is about to begin, Max is also hoping he can continue to mentor, or coach, the students who are interested in pursuing lacrosse this spring.
Written by 2022 HLFYA Max Warden
