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MetroLacrosse understands and values the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of its programs. As such, the organization applies several measurement tools to its programs and to the staff who manage those programs.

MetroLacrosse Demographics

In 2010, MetroLacrosse has achieved a great deal, here are some of the highlights:

• 744: total participants (670 in 2009) - approximately 60% boys and 40% girls
• 749: total participants engaged through newly formed partnership with Camp Harborview
• 155: total volunteers(152 in 2009)
• 19: total number of program sites in 2010 (15 in 2009)
• 100%: percentage of MetroLacrosse seniors who graduated from high school (90% in 2009). Average high school graduation rates in Boston are approximately 76%, and less than 50% in Chelsea.
• $1.1 million raised and expenses managed under budget.
• MetroLacrosse validated that its shift in 2009 to offer both Intramural and Team Programming was a successful strategy for engaging more youth and community partners. In particular, through collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and Camp Harborview, MetroLacrosse introduced lacrosse to 749 youth in regular clinics throughout the summer.
• In June 2010, MetroLacrosse hosted its first-ever national summer program by converting the annual SummerBounce overnight camp to a national experience. More than 100 youth from eight cities participated in the camp, which was a resounding success. We are extending the camp to two weeks in 2011 and will serve at least 150 youth from at least 10 cities.
• MetroLacrosse successfully launched the first phase of its national program growth by executing a Pilot Group with four cities - Baltimore, Dallas, New York City, and Washington, DC. The year-long pilot group helped define and validate MetroLacrosse's approach to its national program, which will unfold in three channels: 1) replicating MetroLacrosse successful sports-based youth development program in up to 10 cities nationwide; 2) offering expanded access to summer programming specifically designed for urban youth who share lacrosse as a common passion; 3) building the network nationwide for administrators and coaches of urban lacrosse programs to convene.
• To address the "Building the Network" channel of the national program, MetroLacrosse hosted the first-ever national Urban Lacrosse Summit on January 20th in Baltimore, MD. The summit convened leaders from 15 states to discuss issues unique to creating and sustaining urban sports-based youth development programs.
• MetroLacrosse published a "Best Practices Handbook" for starting and sustaining an urban lacrosse and education program.

 

The Individual and Team Character in Sport Questionnaire (I.T.C.S.Q.)

• The ITCSQ is a comprehensive survey developed for MetroLacrosse with an independent consultant to measure the impact of the organization’s youth development curriculum. The survey is a research-based tool designed to measure the effectiveness of character development through youth sports. The survey asks players to rate themselves, their teammates, and their coaches in their use of the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. values and skills.

  Highlights of the ITCSQ results from last year include the following:

  • 75% of student-athletes state that their coaches helped them track progress toward a chosen goal
  • 75% of student-athletes state that their coaches held them accountable for their actions.
  • 78% show respect to their teammates even if they don’t agree with them
  • 79% of student-athletes admit when they make a mistake
  • 82% of student-athletes work hard in practice, even if something does not come naturally
  • 83% of student-athletes state that they talked as a team about how well they met both personal and team goals
  • 86% of student-athletes keep trying after they have made a mistake
  • 92% of student-athletes state that their coaches talked to them about the importance of their role on the team

  Participant Data from MetroLacrosse’s 2010 SummerBounce overnight camp:


• 92% of student-athletes indicated they were a better lacrosse player at the end of camp than when they arrived.
• 92% of student-athletes indicated that they learned something new about how to be a good member of a team.
• 73% report that they are better at communicating with teammates both on and off the field as a result of camp.
• 59% say that they developed a relationship with a coach or staff member to the extent that they would want to talk to that person about school, “personal stuff”, and/or lacrosse.




• Participant and Parent Surveys:

  Volunteers, players, and families give feedback to MetroLacrosse through anonymous surveys at various points throughout the calendar year. In addition to rating specific program aspects, players and families write more general comments to help MetroLacrosse build its programs.

 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Reports

• To evaluate the success of infusing the program’s core values and skills during the spring season, coaches complete R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Reports for each player. The reports are discussed with each participant and mailed home to parents. The report rates on a scale of one to four how well the participant demonstrated each of the seven core values and skills of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. For example, to evaluate Responsibility, the coach provides feedback to each player on measures like coming to practice on time and wearing appropriate clothing and equipment. To measure Effort, participants are asked to show that they do not give up no matter what the circumstances are and/or to strive to improve. Finally, a key measure of Sportsmanship is whether or not a player shows respect equally to teammates, coaches and referees, and whether or not the player shows encouragement for his/her teammates from the sidelines.

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