FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carolina Lacrosse Association Announces Official Partnership with Charlotte Style Lacrosse Program
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 6, 2023 — The Carolina Lacrosse Association (CLA) is pleased to announce a significant partnership with the esteemed Charlotte Style Lacrosse program, effective November 13th, 2023. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the history of girls' lacrosse in the Carolinas, uniting two forces committed to elevating player development and the overall lacrosse experience.
Over the past few years, Charlotte Style has emerged as one of the South's premier lacrosse clubs, renowned for its exceptional players and dedicated coaching staff. With an impressive track record of developing the areas best players and sending over 50 young women to continue their academic and athletic careers at prominent collegiate programs, Style has become synonymous with excellence both on and off the field.
This partnership brings together the collective expertise, passion, and resources of CLA and Style Lacrosse. It promises to significantly enhance the development of female athletes and grow the game within the region. The CLA, a trailblazer in the Carolinas' lacrosse community since 2001, has played a pivotal role in the sport's expansion and the development of nearly 300 athletes who have excelled at the collegiate level.
What Will This Partnership Deliver?
The collaboration with CLA offers Charlotte Style an unparalleled opportunity to benefit from decades of lacrosse expertise. This includes access to CLA's full-time staff and valuable coaching resources that will elevate club operations, enhance efficiency, and streamline communication. The partnership is poised to deliver a brighter future for Style's aspiring athletes.
LaxElite Merger & Leadership Transition
LaxElite will merge with and become a part of the Carolina Lacrosse Association at the end of the Fall where all of its girls programming, including rec, camps, clinics, academies and leagues, will now be under the CLA umbrella. The CLA will then oversee and manage the Charlotte Style Lacrosse program alongside Team Carolina which is the elite travel team options for boys in the area.
Under this partnership, Nicole Stiles Donoghue, a dedicated figure in the Style program, will assume a dual role. She will be the Head of Recruiting for Style Lacrosse while also serving as the Director of Girls Lacrosse at CLA. Her role will be pivotal in shaping the vision and future success of Style, while she collaborates with CLA to create year-round programming that fosters continued growth and development for girls in the region.
“I'm incredibly excited to lead not only the recruiting efforts for Style Lacrosse but also contribute to the overall development and growth of the girls' game in the Carolinas. Coaching, mentoring, and athletic development are of paramount importance for our girls. With this collaboration, we're taking a significant step towards growing the game, starting with our youth. With the combined strength of Carolina Lacrosse Association and Charlotte Style, we can now implement more comprehensive programming. In return, our aim is to create more opportunities for our girls, allowing them to take their game to the next level and providing them with opportunities they might never have had before” - Nicole Donoghue, Director of CLA Girls and Head of Recruiting at Style Lacrosse.
Olivia Miles, an accomplished assistant coach at Division I Davidson College and a former standout player at the University of Connecticut, will step into the role of Director of Style Lacrosse.
"I have been a part of Style for a few years now and have seen the impact it has had on young women in the Charlotte area. As a Director of this program, I look forward to the opportunity to continue inspiring and mentoring the next generation of women who come through our program and help guide them to the next level" - Olivia Miles, Director of Style Lacrosse
Her addition strengthens Style's commitment to providing the premier platform for aspiring college-bound athletes in the area.
"Under Nicole, Olivia, and Ricky’s leadership, there is no question this partnership will magnify the strengths of both programs and get Style one step closer to becoming the best version of itself. Ricky’s track record since taking over CLA & Team Carolina over a year ago speaks for itself, while Nicole and Liv have proven to be two of the top coaches, teachers, and mentors in the Carolinas” - Zach and Annie Martin, Co-Owners of LaxElite
The Transition Phase
The fall season will proceed with continuity. Players and families can expect to see the familiar faces of Style's excellent coaching staff guiding their daughters. Both Annie and Zach Martin will continue their roles in supporting recruiting efforts and a seamless transition heading into the Winter. Meanwhile, Nicole, Olivia, and the CLA leadership team will be actively present throughout the Fall to evaluate and refine all aspects of the club's operations, ensuring the best possible experience for players and families.
"I firmly believe that great partnerships are born from a shared commitment to excellence. This merger with LaxElite and Charlotte Style not only makes sense but elevates our collective mission to empower young athletes. Together, we'll raise the bar for lacrosse in the Carolinas, providing an unparalleled experience and nurturing the next generation of lacrosse athletes and leaders." — Ricky Reyes, President of the Carolina Lacrosse Association
For more information about this partnership or media inquiries, please contact:
CLA President, Ricky Reyes at rreyes@clalax.com
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The Carolina Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the premier club for player development in the Carolinas since 2001 offering year-round development opportunities for boys and girls of all ages and skill levels. In addition, the CLA fields year-round elite, select and open travel teams through Team Carolina (Boys) and Charlotte Style (Girls).
More information surrounding upcoming tryouts, coaching staff and the year-round curriculum for the Charlotte Style program will be announced in the coming days. In the meantime, join our mailing list below: