CHESTER, PA — Children across Chester will get a chance to pick up a lacrosse stick, learn the game and play alongside new friends when the Chester Lacrosse Foundation hosts its inaugural Lacrosse Discovery Day this weekend.
The free Aug. 22 event at Memorial Park is designed for children of all ages and experience levels, including those who have never seen or held a lacrosse stick before. Former collegiate player and current coach Eric Rakoczy will lead the program with support from Sow Good Now and members of the local lacrosse community.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of the sport, including how to hold a stick, cradle, improve hand-eye coordination and understand the rules before taking part in scrimmages. Organizers are encouraging families to arrive by 8:40 a.m. so children have time to get settled before the program begins.
Rakoczy grew up in Media, played at Penncrest High School and later competed for the University of Illinois, where his team reached the MCLA playoffs. He said his own introduction to lacrosse began simply by seeing other children play and immediately wanting to try it himself.
That experience helped shape the idea behind Discovery Day: make the game approachable for children who might otherwise never have an opportunity to participate.
“If we change one kid’s life, the entire thing was worth it,” Rakoczy said. He added that the effort is about helping “lift the communities up that are not broken but have their hardships.”
Chester currently has no youth lacrosse program or school teams for the sport, while travel programs can cost families more than $2,000. Organizers hope Discovery Day can become the first step toward developing an accessible local league that gives children the chance to play without placing that financial burden on their families.
No equipment is required. Sticks and other gear will be supplied through donations from local lacrosse players, allowing participants to simply show up ready to learn and have fun.
Event Details
- What: Inaugural Chester Lacrosse Discovery Day
- When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, from 9 to 11 a.m.; participants are encouraged to arrive by 8:40 a.m.
- Where: Memorial Park, Chester, PA
- Cost/Tickets: Free; no equipment is required
- More Info: Event information and community outreach are being coordinated through the Chester Lacrosse Foundation and Sow Good Now
Rakoczy hopes a successful first event will lead to the creation of a larger Chester lacrosse league in the fall, giving young players an ongoing place to develop skills, friendships and confidence both on and off the field.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.