Lake Nona Youth Sports is proud to bring to our community different sports programs
LACROSSE
Lake Nona Youth Sports is proud to offer one of the areas only Lacrosse programs serving Southeast Orlando and surrounding communities. Our passionate coaching staff aims to prepare players to compete in a safe, fun environment.
Our ultimate goal is to deliver a memorable experience for our young athletes while teaching them fundamentals and general knowledge of the sport in order to prepare them for more competitive play at the high school level.
2024 FALL LACROSSE SEASON
Welcoming boys and girls, grades K- High School. Our program serves as a developmental program to prepare for high school or Club Teams. Practices will reinforce personal skills (throwing, passing, cradling, scooping, dodging, shooting, footwork, etc.) as well as team concepts (transition play, man-down defense, offensive principals, clearing, riding, etc.).
Season starts August 27.
GAME INFORMATION
Please note games may have an extra fee of $60 to $75
Futures (K through 2nd Grade) play on a modified field and by USL 8u Rules – up to 6v6 (no goalie) Elementary Ages play on a modified field and by USL 10u Rules – 8v8 (7 field & 1 goalie)
Middle School Ages play on a full field and by USL 14u Rules – 12v12 (11 field & 1 goalie
PRACTICES
Tuesday and Thursday 6-7:30 pm
Location for Practices: Heroes Park 14028 Centerline Drive Orlando, Fl 32827
Equipment & Gear – All players must have the following gear to practice and play:
- Mouth guard & Protective Googles
- Cleats (from any field sport)
- Lacrosse stick (goalie gear is available to loan for goalies)
- Gloves
- Shoulder pads
- Arm pads
Lake Nona Youth Sports Registration
for the player to be able to participate at the start of the season
Loaner sticks and gear are available for newer players on a first-register-first-served basis. HEROES Lacrosse practice shirt& uniforms will be issued and are included in the registration fee. US Lacrosse membership number is mandatory.
OUR
COACHES
John Chin
COACHING STAFF
Coached Varsity HS lacrosse team to a district victory 2022. A Lake Nona resident, John grew up and played lacrosse in the Baltimore, Maryland area. After high school, he continued playing club ball while serving in the United States Air Force. After his military service, he served as the assistant coach for Decatur High School in Ocean City, MD, followed by coaching the boys' varsity lacrosse program at Lake Nona High School for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. As a Level 1 US Lacrosse Certified Coach, John is obsessed about the game and passionate about building players in the Lake Nona area.
Mike Ryan
coaching staff
Mike grew up in New York and remained in upstate New York after joining the NYPD. In 2010, Mike helped formed the Monroe-Woodbury Youth Lacrosse program and coached the 2nd- 11th grade boys’ since the program’s inception. He also helped grow the local High School lacrosse program which has placed 1st in their division the past five years! The H.S. also won their first ever sections title under Mike’s guidance. Mike is very familiar with the college recruiting process as several of his players, including his own son, were recruited to play in colleges of all levels including D1, D2 & D3. After recently relocating to Lake Nona , Mike started coaching the youth league and remains passionate about building our program.
David & John Drehoff
K-2 BOYs coaching staff
Coach David Drehoff is a product of Orlando youth lacrosse development. He was team Captain and President of the University of Central Lacrosse program 2008 - 2011. He earned many accolades during his career: 2x All American, Offensive Player of the Year, and led the MCLA in points per game. With his father John Drehoff Coaching, helped lead the UCF Knights to a school first, top 25 ranking in the nation 2011. His father John Drehoff from Maryland, played at the Naval Academy, and coached David from youth all the way through college at UCF. They continue to enjoy sharing their love of the game and growth of the sport in Orlando.
tom collins
coaching staff
Born and raised in Maryland, Tom Collins grew up playing lacrosse at Northeast Senior High School in Pasadena, MD. After high school, he played club travel ball in a men's league and assisted with coaching at his alma mater. From 2004 to 2009, Tom served as a Baltimore County Police officer before moving to Florida in 2009 to join the Orange County Sheriff's Office, where he worked until 2013. Following his time in law enforcement, he transitioned to the Fire Department and is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic at Osceola County Fire Rescue. Tom had long awaited the days when his two boys would take up lacrosse, and they finally did a couple of years ago, both playing as goalies for Heroes. His coaching journey includes being the head coach for JV and assisting the varsity squad at Lake Nona High School from 2022 to 2024, as well as coaching for Heroes since 2021. He is now the assistant varsity coach for Innovation High School. Tom has always had a love for lacrosse and enjoys teaching both new and experienced athletes the many aspects of the game.
dani melendez
coaching staff
Dani Melendez began playing lacrosse during her sophomore year of high school, where she took on the position of goalie. After graduating from Lake Nona High School in 2018, Dani attended Montreat College for two years on a lacrosse scholarship. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she transferred to the University of Central Florida (UCF) and graduated in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. In the fall of 2023, Dani began coaching lacrosse, with a passion for teaching the sport and helping players reach their full potential. Her goal is to shape these players to perform at higher levels, such as in high school and potentially at the collegiate level, as she did. Dani is excited to see the growth of Heroes in her community and to support young girls who share a similar passion for the sport.
Connor Mclaughlin
coaching staff
Connor McLaughlin played high school lacrosse at Lake Nona where he was a 2-time captain and 2-time All-Metro. He went on to play club lacrosse at UCF before returning as the defensive coordinator at Lake Nona High School. He coached the defense for two seasons and was a part of the coaching staff that won districts in 2023 and made it to regionals both years. Connor has continued to be involved with the youth game in Central Florida helping coach at Heroes and with True Lacrosse. This year he is set to be the head coach at Innovation High School and is excited to continue to develop lacrosse players here in Lake Nona.
CONTACT
INFORMATION
For Lacrosse related questions, please email the Director of Lacrosse at lacrosse@lakenonayouthsports.org
