via WPLL press release   Florida’s 9th, 10th, and 11th graders have opportunity to try out for WPLL Futures Program 3/28/18 Sarah Burlingame, a former Cornell University captain and member of the Canadian National Team, will serve as WPLL Futures Director for Florida. Burlingame and a team of WPLL players will hold a regional tryout on Sunday, April 15^th at Northeast Regional Park in Davenport, FL for 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade players interested in taking part in the Florida’s branch of the WPLL Futures Program. A character and leadership intensive program, Futures is not intended to replace or interfere with a player’s high school or club commitments. Players selected to a Futures team will not be required to attended any practices prior to the championship weekend July 10^th-12^th, but rather will be required to take part in a series of online courses and workshops. “In the past few years we have seen more and more talented players coming out of Florida,” explained WPLL Commissioner Jen Adams. “We are excited to bring the WPLL Futures program to Florida and give these young players another opportunity to improve their skills on and off the field.” Central to the WPLL’s mission is helping the next generation of female lacrosse talent grow into strong, confident leaders. With the help of partners Victory Academy and Brave Enterprises, the WPLL’s Futures Program is designed to expose high school players across the country to lacrosse and leadership experiences that will prepare them for any challenges they may face. Players selected for the Futures Program will receive a mix of lacrosse and life skills that will help them for life. Futures players will also have the opportunity to play in a national tournament this summer, competing against top-talent from across the country. The tryout consists of a variety of lacrosse and fitness drills that will be run by Burlingame and a group of evaluators that will include several WPLL players. In addition to meeting and learning from WPLL pros, all players that attend the April 15^th tryout will be given access to curriculum designed to test and improve their leadership and bravery skills. After the evaluations are completed, 60 players will be named to the three Florida Futures teams, 20 players from each grade. Futures Director Burlingame played lacrosse Cornell University, where she captained the team as both a junior and a senior. In 2001 Burlingame helped lead Cornell to the national tournament where they eventually finished 7th in the nation. After her time at Cornell, Burlingame played internationally for the Canadian National Team. After completing her playing days, Burlingame still stays tied to the game of lacrosse in Florida, where she is the Owner/Director of a club called Lax Maniax and the head coach at Benjamin High School. “The WPLL Futures program is a terrific compliment to all of the hard-working players and coaches in Florida,” explained Burlingame. “This is an incredible opportunity for our players to, not only have access to coaching and mentorship from professional players from across the nation, but it also provides outstanding training mentally and physically to drive their success both in lacrosse and life beyond.  This program harnesses the true power of sports, preparing players to be the best they can be on and off the field as well as preparing them for life.” Players interested in the Futures tryout can register here.