Getting started is the hardest part. Doubt creeps in. Insecurity boils up. It becomes so much easier to just not start.
Procrastinating will only push your goals further away. Thinking you can’t do it will leave you unsatisfied with your work.
Instead, put something down. Don’t judge. Don’t criticize. Just start.
This will be my first post in months. It’s not much, but it’s something. Also, this will be the start of something. More work. Better work. Great work.
A little over a year ago, I started an internship program at FLG for High School, Collegiate, and post-graduate students. This internship works with young professionals who are looking to gain valuable work experience, contribute to a thriving company, and work with people who are extremely passionate in what they do. Below you will find a video blog on 2 different types of internships we are offering here at FLG Lacrosse, as well as quotes from some of the past rock-stars that interned with FLG.
Please note, you can apply for our internship programs by emailing me at cwinkoff@flglacrosse.com – Please include your resume, linked in profile (if you have one), and make note of which internship opportunity (Creative Media or Marketing) & season (Fall, Spring, Summer) you are looking to apply for.
When people think FLG, well at least when I heard the word FLG I thought “another summer travel lacrosse program” but after my experience of coaching and working as an intern in the office this summer, I have realized it is way more than that. It is a program that is run all year long consisting of various types of events and teams. I have learned so much through out my time here, not even just work wise, but life lessons to. -Kaitlyn (Adelphi University, Sports Management Major)
One of my favorite elements of my summer internship was the opportunity to utilize my creative abilities. I have had some experience with graphic design in the past and FLG allowed me to showcase my skills in creating several marketing campaigns to promote the company. These were all sent out via email or shared through FLG’s social media accounts, such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. -Ryan (Stevens Tech, Business & Technology Major)
Every day was a different challenge and we all were able to be creative and open in solving them and producing an end product that we were all proud of. -Sarah (UMASS, Health & Sciences Major)
The FLG intern program was a great experience that has better prepared me for what lies ahead once I graduate from Siena College. The skills I have acquired have made me a better leader and with that, I would like to say thank you to the staff here at FLG. I still have much to learn, but the FLG intern experience has steered me in a direction where I know I can and will be successful. -Devin (Siena College, Environmental Science Undergraduate & Pre-Med @ Hofstra University)
Working for FLG this past summer has exceeded every expectation I had for my first internship. The work I had done was much more than filing documents and typing notes during meetings. The assignments my directors gave me were important to the outcome of whatever program or task we were trying to complete.I am extremely thankful for all that FLG has offered me these past four months and I will always remember not only the skills and lessons I have learned, but the memories I have made as well. -Alexa (UMASS School for Sports Management)
By far, this summer has been one of the best summers I have ever had thanks to FLG. Interning at FLG has given me the opportunity to meet new people/make connections and learn what it takes to run a leading company in the competitive lacrosse sports industry. FLG is a family business so you can see and feel the passion, love, dedication and commitment that is poured into work here everyday but make no mistake, it is also a company that is professional, innovative, and provides state of the art service to its clients. -Julie (UMASS School for Sports Management)
Starting at a young age it is extremely important to have the right mindset and work ethic about everything you do. I am lucky enough to have 2 parents who constantly preach it so I am consistent with it. Growing up there was a kid I played with who was good enough to be the #1 recruit and go to play anywhere he wanted. He would always dominate everyone else and it started getting easy for him. The problem was his head started getting filled by everyone telling him how good he was and he stopped working hard. There started to be a slow decline in his performance. While all this was happening there were many other kids like myself who didn’t get the attention he did. The people with higher work ethics have a higher ceiling than those with lower work ethics even though they might have more talent than you. The best thing to do is use it as motivation and outwork the other kid. With the right attitude and work ethic, anything is possible. Don’t cheat yourself and practice all the time and good things will happen. My Dad always told me to treat everything you do like you are a horse running in a race. They all wear blinders so they don’t get distracted. In life block out all of the noise, keep working hard and good things will come.
In youth sports, the decision to play or not play is a common question. Trainers, parents, coaches, and kids themselves all need to learn when to “step up” or “sit down.” Being sidelined can be a frustrating endeavor for everyone involved. Players feel they are falling behind their teammates, parents fear they are missing out, and coaches are forced to take the field with fewer subs or less talent. Even though injuries can be frustrating, sometimes they are necessary. It’s important to approach a child’s youth sports career as a marathon, not a sprint. Children have brighter, bigger futures ahead of them. Playing through a serious injury at a young age is by no means heroic. It doesn’t characterize toughness. Playing through serious injuries as a child implies ignorance and lack of awareness. Letting a child play through a serious injuries means those involved in that child’s decision making process are losing site of the big picture. Win the marathon, not the sprint. Let your children be at their best, their healthiest, their sharpest when they have the maturity and awareness to make these types of decisions for themselves.
There are 51 High School girls lacrosse programs in Nassau County. Throughout those 51 programs, there are dozens of FLG Select girls competing each year. This year in particular, our FLG Select girls racked up accolades at Monday night’s Nassau County Awards Dinner. Below is a list of all the girls in our program who received an award. Congrats to all the talents and impressive studletes in our program! Keep up the great work.
FLG 2017, heading to Ithaca in the Fall, received All-Conference and the Scholar Athlete Award despite tearing her ACL this season. Congrats Alexa and good luck at IC!
Scholar Athlete Award
Fran McCall Unsung Hero Award
All-Conference Awards
Honorable Mention All-County
All-County
The moment a child picks up a lacrosse stick, he or she is entering a marathon, not a 100 meter sprint.
A lacrosse stick should be used to bring joy, happiness, life lessons, history, confidence, respect, and opportunity to children. It shouldn’t be used to bring pain, fear, arrogance, and a lack of personal growth.
When parents and coaches alike approach children’s lacrosse careers as if it’s a sprint, nobody wins. Players lose interest in the game, grow to resent the sport, lack a sense of accomplishment, and constantly feel a fear of missing out.
The days of competing for championships, 3 hour practices, 2-a-days will eventually come. But, not if children are exposed to this mentally at such an early age. Their High School and/or college coaches will demand a tremendous amount of time and energy. But, not if that childhood prospect is completely burned out from the sport by the time they make it to HS. Top coaches and trainers will push players to the limits in order to achieve competitive greatness. Sacrifices will be made. Lessons learned. But, not if children are pushed too far too early in their lives.
It’s our duty as parents and youth coaches to know this is a long road. If playing at the highest level in lacrosse is something your child wants, approach it with the big picture in mind. Let your child learn different aspects of the game one step at a time. Don’t cut corners and your child will get the best possible opportunity to decide if achieving competitive greatness is something they truly want. Ultimately, It’s their decision. Parents and coaches just need to guide, support, teach, and keep things in perspective.
Ever made a bad move?
Committed a flagrant foul?
Missed the game winning shot?
Dropped the ball?
Tripped over your own two feet?
Those are bad plays, but that doesn’t mean they have to define you as a player.
Your legacy as a player is an accumulation of your play while you train, practice, and compete. Don’t let one bad play define you. Don’t let someone else define you.
Make your legacy one built around the positive, the tough, the effort plays. Be the player you wish to become. Work towards it each day. Work at it, hard.
What a beautiful day for lacrosse as we started out with a face-off win by Kevin Tiedemann of Comsewogue. The Warriors started off this game with a turnover in the box. Not much later Harborfields gave it right back. Goalie Zack Yario for Harborfields made 2 solid saves to start off the first. With 4:06 left to play, Sean Power assisted to Sean Kennedy to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead in what was a slow start to the game. Another goal for Sean Kennedy as the Warriors take a 2-0 lead with under 30 seconds to go in the first.
Sean Kennedy went 2 and 2 on the day, including the game winning ground ball & assist in OT. #Sutdlete Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse
Second Quarter started off with a quick response from the Tornadoes with a goal from Andrew Derasmo assisted by Pj Clementi, Warriors lead is cut to 2-1 now. Very sloppy play by both teams so far, half way into the 2nd, and both teams have over 3 turnovers each. With an odd looking goal Andrew Derasmo gets his second of the game to tie the game up 2-2, 7:34 to play in the second. Sloppy play by both teams in this game as it remained 2-2 with 2:38 to go. The second quarter ends 2-2, and with no question, the MVP of this game has got to be Harborfields Goalie Zack Yario. Yorio had 6 saves at the half.
Sean Powers was great between the lines all day. Despite not showing up a ton on the stat sheet, this kid played a huge role in Comsewogue’s success yesterday. Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse
This Harborfields home crowd has been rocking the whole game and they were looking for a lead so they could make some noise. The H-fields crowd’s cheers would have to wait as Sean Kennedy gets his third point of the game as he dishes a beautiful assist to Richie Lacalandra, lead was now 3-2 Warriors. Goalie Tom Heller for the Warriors started off the 3rd Quarter with four remarkable saves to keep this a one-goal game. After a series of turnovers, Will Snelders knocks in Comsewogues 4th goal and it was assisted by Nick Donnelly. It looks like the Warriors are pulling away as Will Snelders scores his 2nd goal in a row and the Warriors now lead 5-2 with 50 seconds to go.
The Tornadoes start off the 4th with a huge goal, Andrew Loaicono scored and it was assisted by Thomas Sangiovanni. Warriors lead is now only 5-3. Here come the Tornadoes as Aiden Costello gets the 4th goal for Harborfields and the game is now 5-4 Warriors. A 2-minute stall by the Warriors resulted in a turnover that hands the ball to the Tornadoes who are now down by 1 with 6 and a half to go. Andrew Derasmo gets his hat trick as the crowd erupts. The game is now tied at 5. Tom Heller makes an incredible save with 45 seconds to go as now the Warriors have the ball with 27 seconds and are looking for the winning shot. Outstanding defense by the Tornadoes sets up an Overtime #1
Andrew Derasmo notched 3 goals yesterday for Harborfields and was the leading scorer for his squad. Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse
The Overtime face-off was won by the Tornadoes. What a Save by Tom Kellerman, OMG. On the doorstep, Heller makes a save and keeps the Warriors season alive. Warriors ball with 3:25 to go in the first overtime. AND that’s it, Sean Kennedy finds Tj Heyder for the win, what a game. Warriors take the exciting playoff game 6-5.
At the LaxOut for Cancer Event we had one of the best teams in Nassau and one of the best teams in Suffolk County with Shoreham-Wading River hosting Garden City compete in front of a sold out crowd. Both teams had 10 wins on the season going into the game. A re-match of last years LIC Championship Game was sure to be an exciting one.
In the first quarter both teams came out hot, starting off with a Kevin Cutinella (SWR) goal not to far into the first. Then within five seconds from each other J.P. Basile (GC) tied it up then Chris Gray (SWR) gave the Wildcats the lead back. Then with just under 3 minutes to go Luke Keating (GC) rocks in a fireball from 15 yards, then had a 2-2 game. Xavier Airline finds Chris Gray for their second assist and goal of the game to give the Wildcats the lead back. We ended the first quarter with a very exciting 3-2 SWR lead.
Chris Gray, aka the Dark the Knight, dominated in the Laxout Cancer contest vs. Garden City. Watch out for the Knight as SWR looks to capture a Class B NYS Championships. Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse
Second Quarter started off with Chris Gray and J.P Basile back to back turnovers, which is very rare to see. At 9:43 we see Kevin Cutinellas second goal of the game, the Wildcats then led 4-2. Sean Halpin score the Wildcats 5th goal with an assist from Kevin Cutinella. Seconds later Chris Sheehan knocks in a rocket to give the Wildcats now a 6-2 lead. The Trojans went over 10 minutes without scoring till midfielder Jamie Atkinson knocked in the trojans 3rd goal assisted by Kieran Gunn to cut the deficit by 3. Chris Cutinella goes 5 hole to get a first half hat trick immediately after the Trojans got back on the board, score was now 7-3. With a man up Jamie Atkinson notches in his second goal in just 2 minutes with an assist from Kieran Gunn again. Another first half hat trick as Jamie Atkinson gets his 3rd of the game and makes it a 7-5 Wildcats lead.
Finn Gibbons has a big goal towards the end of game to maintains GC’s lead and help in capturing a big win for the Trojans. (Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse)
After a thrilling second quarter we start the third quarter with the Wildcats leading the Trojans 7-5. We started off the 3rd with two incredible saves by Andrew DePalma (SWR). For the third time today Garden City initiated a man-up with 9:56 to go. The Trojans took advantage of that as J.P. Basile (Duke Commit) notched in his second to cut the Wildcats lead to one (7-6). Sean Coughlin bangs in a goal 8 seconds after Basile scored to tie it all up at 7. With Kyle Steinbacks third face off win a row the Trojans scored their 3rd goal in 16 seconds with a Finn Gibbons screamer to give the Trojans their first lead of the game at 8-7. With only 4 minutes into the third the Trojans scored their 4th goal to take a 9-7 lead. The fourth goal was scored by Finn Gibbons again, and was assisted by J.B. Basile. What a start to the third quarter. Now J.P. Basile finds Kieran Gunn to make it 7 unanswered goals for the Trojans to make it 10-7. With a much needed goal Kevin Cutinella gets his 4th goal to make it a 10-8 game with 4 minutes to go in the third. Luke Keating (GC) gets his first goal of the game assisted by Jamie Atkinson to make it 11-8 Garden City.
Jamie Atkinson earns Player of the Game after going 4 & 1 in a close win over SWR. Photo taken by FLG Lacrosse
Onto the 4th where it was going to come down to the wire for sure. Colin Flannery (SWR) scored the first goal of the 4th and it’s now a 11-9 Trojans lead. Jamie Atkinson got called for the shove and the Wildcats went man-up, so Chris Gray goes top right and gets his 3rd goal of the game. Game is now a 1 goal Trojans lead at 11-10. It wasn’t for long that it was a one goal game, as J.P. Basile found Finn Gibbons to give back the Trojans a two goal lead. With 5:48 to go Kevin Cutinella gets his FIFTH goal and it was assisted from Tim Cairo, game is now 12-11 Trojans. With a minute to go the Trojans have the ball with a 12-11 lead. A Garden City turnover with 15 seconds left and the Wildcats try driving down the field but with just no time left the Trojans win 12-11 in a Thriller.
Top Performers
Garden City
J.P. Basile
Jamie Atkinson
Finn Gibbons
Shoreham-Wading River
Kevin Cutinella
Chris Gray
Andrew DePalma
Children aren’t meant to be molded, but unfolded.
Inside each of us is an individual waiting to express oneself. Children need to be given an opportunity to give more of themselves, an opportunity to gain the confidence to be who they are, and given the freedom to develop their own perceptions of the world.
The focus shouldn’t be on shaping children to become a specific thing. Instead, energy and effort from teachers, parents, coaches, and mentors should be spent on giving children a chance to unfold their true selves. Unfold, don’t mold.
