Image courtesy of True Lacrosse
Boys in fifth through eighth grades can try out at Kohler Park on Sept. 15
True Lacrosse will be launching a new team in the Greater Philadelphia area. Do you have what it takes to attend the Ambler tryouts?
In the military, to say you’ve “got” someone’s “six,” it really means that you have his back. Your “six,” should you coordinate your surrounding locations by clock hours, would be the number directly “behind you,” hence your back.
On the lacrosse field, “Sixes” is an entirely different concept, thought it still requires a lot of having one another’s backs, just the same. Sixes is a fast-past and compacted version of lacrosse. It has primarily been played thus far at an internation and professional level. Beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the sport will hit the Olympic playing field. But, what exactly is it?
“It is characterized by an accelerated, open style of play with quick transitions and non-stop, high-scoring action,” said Chris Goldberg, via a Aug. 21 press release for Phillylacrosse.com. The “True Philly Sixes” will be launched for its inaugural season by True Lacrosse. The travel lacrosse program focuses on outdoor Sixes games, open to players from any club affiliation.
True Lacrosse’s offering will be the first of its kind in the area, fully dedicated to a Sixes program. The year will kick off with a tryout session on Sunday, Sept. 15 at Kohler Park in Ambler. Those boys graduating in 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032 (this year’s students entering fifth through eighth grades) are open to try out from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Graduates of the 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 classes are invited to sign up for a high school Sixes pick-up league that will play on Tuesday nights. This high school level league (open to current ninth through 12th grade students) is a non-tryout-based, open sign-up opportunity for all who wish to play.
For its first season, the True Philly Sixes fall will be made up of a lacrosse travel schedule which includes six practices and two events. Come winter, the sport will host practices, scrimmages, and Florida-based event in February 2025.
To head up the team, Lansdale Catholic head coach, Paul McGovern, is to serve as director. McGovern has years of experience, according to the release, as he has coached at the high school and college level. He will be assisted by True Lacrosse Vice President Peter Burns, True Philly Director Gauntlett Walker, and True Mid-Atlantic Operations Manager Brett Sciascia, in addition to his coaching staff.
“I am grateful and very excited for this opportunity to help lead True Philly’s Sixes program,” said McGovern in the release. “As the game of Sixes is emerging across the country and the world as an important, fun, and fast-paced version of lacrosse, so too are we eager to bring Sixes to the greater Philadelphia area.”
McGovern said that the program offered is an excellent one with vast experience in the sport scene of Philadelphia already.
“True Lacrosse has built a strong reputation for offering elite training and player development in our region through their travel programs,” he said. “We look forward to bringing the same dedication, education, and excitement to the Sixes game.”
To register for the inaugural True Philly Sixes tryouts, held Sunday, Sept. 15, click here. Kohler Park is located at 1013 Horsham Road in Ambler.
For more information about True Philly Sixes, email us at truephillysixes@gmail.com or visit pa.truelacrosse.com.
