(July 8, 2012)… Some of the greatest names in the National Lacrosse League converged near London, Ontario Thursday to launch the “Right To Play” Lacrosse For Development summer season. The professional lacrosse players taught the “Creator’s Game” to kids at the Oneida Nation of the Thames and the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation.

On the Reserve, kids participated in team-building, arts and crafts, cultural activities and lacrosse during the three day event. The first camp ran from Friday, July 6th to Sunday, July 8th. Rochester Knighthawks Cody Jamieson and Craig Point accompanied Dan Dawson, Chris McElroy, Jeremy Thompson, Scott Carnegie and Dean Hill to teach the 140 kids at the lacrosse camp.

“It feels good to pass on some of the teachings that I have been taught after all these years,” said 2012 NLL Championship game MVP Cody Jamieson. “Lacrosse has given us so much so it's good to give back.”

“Right To Play’s” Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program, will benefit from the new Lacrosse For Development program. Throughout First Nations communities in Ontario, NLL players will help deliver skill-based instruction to children, youth and coaches. In addition, this program will inspire and motivate First Nation children and youth to connect to the strong culture and tradition of lacrosse.

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) has partnered with the “Right To Play” as the official designated joint charity of the NLL and the Professional Lacrosse Players’ Association (PLPA). Jamieson and Point, who both have impressive lacrosse credentials, are serving as NLL Ambassadors for Lacrosse For Development.

The Knighthawks, who captured the 2012 National Lacrosse League’s Champion’s Cup, volunteered Friday to assist with the inaugural Lacrosse For Development camp. Jamieson guided the Rochester Knighthawks to a 2012 World Championship, being awarded the Game MVP in a four goal, four-assist effort. Jamieson was also a force in the 2012 Playoffs, finishing second in points (17), tying for second in goals (8) and fourth in assists (9). Point finished the playoffs fourth on the Knighthawks in points with 10. The NLL veteran completed his fifth season in the NLL and fourth with the Knighthawks by scoring 10 goals and adding 14 assists in just seven regular season games.  Jamieson and Point both won the 2007 Minto Cup with the Six Nations Arrows. For Point, the trip to Oneida was not the first time he has been to the Reserve.

“A couple of guys and I have come up here the past couple of years, and they always want us to come back. It’s good that we have other guys from other teams coming out, because each player brings a different level of lacrosse and experience,” said Point. “We teach them our skills and what we went through. The most meaningful thing to me is that we come out here and show them a good time. We love what you are doing and always try to make sure the kids have fun.”

The lacrosse camp at the Oneida Nation of the Thames and the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation was the first of four such events for “Right To Play” this summer. The next lacrosse camp is scheduled for July 12-15 in Whitefish River First Nation near Sudbury. The last two Lacrosse For Development camps will take place July 19-22 in Bimose Tribal Council (Kenora, Ontario) and August 9-12 in Beausoleil First Nation (Midland, Ontario).

Knighthawks Owner and General Manager Curt Styres was one of the first NLL league executives to support the program. Styres joined Knighthawks VP of Lacrosse Paul Gait at the camp on Sunday, July 8th.

“It’s long overdue. Arrow Express Sports wants to spread its wings a little bit farther with our programs and this is a huge step,” said Styres. Arrow Express Sports manages the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Six Nations, and has been a partner of the Six Nations Arrows (Junior “A”) since September 2003.

Arrow Express Sports and Team 22, which is the Authorized Licensee of Under Armour®, are reaching back to the roots of the game of lacrosse as the majority sponsor of the Lacrosse For Development program. Owned by Styres, Gait and Lewis Staats, Team 22 will provide free sticks and gloves to all the participants at the four summer camps. Arrow Express Sports, through Team 22, will contribute time, money and other Under Armour® branded equipment to the effort that could reach over 500 First Nations’ children and youth in its first year.

“Team 22 is very excited to help develop lacrosse on the Reservation across North America,” said Team 22 President and Knighthawks VP of Lacrosse Paul Gait. “We are trying to expand the sport by bringing it back to the creators of the game.”

For more information, visit the “Right To Play” website at www.righttoplay.com.