Firehawks Lacrosse Club

November 07
Nor Cal Coach Wins Prestigious Award

FIREHAWK COACH DOUG APPLETON
RECEIVES NAT'L RECOGNITION

The 2008 US Lacrosse Youth Excellence Awards have been announced and Doug Appleton has been named the Exceptional Double-Goal Coach of the Year!  This award recognizes coaches who commit to the "Double-Goal" approach to coaching as taught by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) and adopted by US Lacrosse.   "Double-Goal Coach™ Certification ensures that certified youth sports and school coaches have built their knowledge of what we call "Honoring the Game" — a deeper, more focused evolution of sportsmanship. Certified Double-Goal Coaches have been exposed to the most up-to-date, research-based strategies, tools and techniques in sports psychology and Positive Coaching." (www.positivecoach.org)

Doug is certainly a strength in the Nor Cal lacrosse community.  As the vice president of the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association, founder of Firehawks Lacrosse Club, and president of Talon Lacrosse, Doug's commitment to the game is deep.  As his nominator explained, "In the Firehawks’ first year, Appleton had 65 kids on three teams: Firestarters, PeeWees, and Pups. The club has grown and is known throughout the area for success, incredible sportsmanship, and character both on and off the field. Known for sharing the Native American tradition of the game with all of his players, the message Appleton teaches is 'win with grace, lose with dignity' as well as to honor the game every minute on the field".

Doug had this to say about the announcement: 

“I’m thrilled to receive the Double Goal Coaching Award on behalf of all NCJLA youth programs.  Lacrosse is about so much more than winning games – it’s about building character, integrity, respect and teaching life lessons.   I’m proud that the NCJLA is pushing the culture of the sport, and that our teams and players are receiving national recognition as a result.  It shows that all of our collective hard work is paying off.”

Doug will receive his award at the upcoming US Lacrosse National convention.  To learn more about the Youth Excellence Awards, click here.