Alyssa soon began playing the sport every season and developed into a respected leader of the Oakland Technical High School lacrosse team. “I had never heard of [lacrosse] before, so I was a little confused when I started,” she says. “I was like, ‘What is this and why do I have to hold the stick like this?’ Lacrosse is a community for me now. I saw people who looked like me and that made me feel comfortable enough to grow.” Lacrosse is perceived as a White, upper-class sport. The Oakland Lacrosse Club is trying to grow the sport by working with the Oakland Athletic League to start four high school girls teams. “I think it will be a slow process,” Alyssa says. “The Bay Area is very diverse, but lacrosse as a sport isn’t necessarily diverse. I think it has the potential. We just have to expose more young children to it.”
Alyssa Belisle, 18
Alyssa never played sports until sixth grade. She didn’t know how to get into sports, nor was she interested. After Alyssa’s father died, her mom thought it would be good for Alyssa to be part of a social group with peers. It just so happened the Oakland Lacrosse Club came to Claremont Middle School around that time, introducing a sport Alyssa had never heard of before. When one of her friends expressed interest in lacrosse, Alyssa decided to join with prodding from her mom. “I wasn’t very social, especially in elementary school,” Alyssa says. “When I got to lacrosse, it was like a whole new world for me. I got to meet a bunch of different people from a whole bunch of different backgrounds, but we do everything together. I feel like this is my second family. I’m comfortable around these people, I enjoy being around these people, and I love these people.” Alyssa’s story exemplifies how trying a sport – any sport – can benefit children if the sport is delivered properly. Oakland Lacrosse Club stresses developing skills, having fun and creating a positive culture.
And that can change perceptions.
“I get asked all the time, ‘Oh, do you play basketball or volleyball?’” Alyssa says. “Because I’m tall that doesn’t mean I play those two sports. In middle school, it used to really bug me. I’m like, ‘No, I play lacrosse.’ They’re like, ‘What is that?’"
The Bay Area is very diverse, but lacrosse as a sport isn’t necessarily diverse. I think it has the potential. We just have to expose more young children to it.”
ALYSSA BELISLE, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
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PROJECT PLAY — AN INITIATIVE OF THE ASPEN INSTITUTE
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