Thessaloniki, Greece
October 4-6, 2017
American College of Thessaloniki
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The Federation of International Lacrosse, the governing body of Lacrosse worldwide, with the focus on lacrosse becoming an Olympic sport will hold a series of clinics at the American College of Thessaloniki. The very experienced Lacrosse Development Committee coaches are looking forward to helping further the growth of lacrosse in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics.
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The clinic (tentative) schedule is as follows;
Wednesday: 10:00am – 1:00pm for high school and elementary classes
1:00pm - 2:30pm for College students
5:00pm – 8:00pm for Physical Education teachers
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Thursday: 10:00am – 1:00pm for high school and elementary classes
1:00pm - 2:30pm for High School students
5:00pm – 8:00pm for Physical Education teachers
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Friday: 10:00am – 1:00pm for high school and elementary classes
1:00pm - 2:30pm for Elementary students
5:00pm – 8:00pm for Physical Education teachers
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The attendees will receive an introductory level understanding of the game, including history, basic skills instructions, and game concepts. In addition, the physical education students will be instructed in how to teach the game from youth through secondary levels and gain basic knowledge of the rules of the game.
THE STAFF
Bob DeMarco – FIL Director of Development. Bob played for Hofstra University and for the Long Island Lacrosse club, winning two club championships. He was the Head football coach at Old Bridge HS, NJ for 33 years. His teams won multiple championships. Bob was inducted into the New Jersey Football coaches’ Hall of Fame.
Bob was the Head Lacrosse Coach at York College from 1973 – 1975. In 1981, he was appointed as the Lacrosse Defensive Coordinator and at Rutgers University, coaching there until 2000. Bob DeMarco has been a key note speaker at several coaches’ conferences and clinics. He has conducted FIL developmental clinics in Belgium, Russia, China and Croatia.
Rick Mercurio – FIL Development Chair. Rick was a teacher and coach in the Sachem Schools on Long Island, NY from 1977 – 2008. He remains one of the winningest lacrosse coaches in New York, totaling 316 wins. His teams have won numerous championships. During his tenure, many of his players were recruited by top NCAA lacrosse programs. Many of his players went on to earn All American honors and winning National Championships. Several of his former players now hold coaching positions, including Rutgers University Head Lacrosse Coach, Brian Brecht and Head Marquette University Lacrosse Coach, Joe Amplo.
Rick is in the Suffolk County Sports HOF, Sachem Sports HOF, and the Long Island Lacrosse HOF. He is also a TV Lacrosse Analyst for Fox/Fios Sports Network and the NCAA Big Ten Plus Network. Rick Mercurio has conducted FIL developmental clinics in Belgium, Thailand, Russia, Taiwan, China, Croatia, Mexico and England.
Joanna Lignelli - a much-accomplished former player at the College of William and Mary, where she earned honors as an All-American and Team captain. Joanna serves on the US Lacrosse Education Program where she Chair’s the Women’s section as a Level 1, 2 and 3 Master Trainer.
As an FIL Development committee member, she has conducted lacrosse clinics in Belgium, Taiwan, Mexico and England.
She presently is employed as the Key Accounts Director for STX, a leading manufacturer and supplier of sports equipment.
Jane Pirie – A four-year starter as a goalie at the University of Richmond. Jane has a vast amount of coaching experience and has developed several new programs in the Northeast region of the USA. She has coached at all levels of youth programs through secondary school and club programs. As part of the US Lacrosse Education program she has served as a Master trainer at levels 1, 2 and 3. Jane has participated in FIL developmental clinics in the Czech Republic, Germany, Taiwan, & England.
Phil Pearson - Referee in Chief, has been involved in men’s lacrosse for 47 years as a Player, Coach, Referee Assessor and Administrator. He has officiated at the highest domestic and International level, including three world championships as a referee. He has also been a deputy RIC in Manchester 2010, and RIC in 2012 at the European championships and has been an assessor at numerous international tournaments. He officiated in the gold medal games at the 1999 U19 (Adelaide) and 2003 (Towson) Men’s U19 World championships.
Paul Bibby – Referee, has officiated at 4 World Events. 2013 Women's World Cup Oshawa, Canada, 2015 Under 19 Women's World Cup in Scotland, 2017 Women's World Cup in England, 2017 World Games Women's Lacrosse in Poland. In addition, he has officiated in the European Championships in 2012 Women's in Holland and 2015 Women's in the Czech Republic.