History

Lacrosse the Nations began as a simple conversation between Brad Corrigan and Brett Hughes in 2008 about the incredible power sport has to bring people together regardless of age, background, gender, ethnicity, experience, or even language.

This conversation ultimately led to LtN’s inaugural trip in January 2009 to La Chureca, the largest trash dump in Central America that served as a home to over 2,000 people located in Managua, Nicaragua. Together, Brad and Brett founded Lacrosse the Nations on their strong belief that the game of lacrosse has the potential to bring joy, hope, and change in hard-pressed communities.

Lacrosse the Nations’ first-ever program began at Colegio Cristiano La Esperanza (School of Hope) located inside La Chureca. In December 2012, La Chureca was officially closed and families had to pack up their belongings and move into new homes in a nearby community, Villa Guadalupe. While a new recycling plant regulates commerce and families have moved, the history of La Chureca still influences the economic and social livelihood of these families. 

Education in Nicaragua

Club Hope - Villa Guadalupe, Nicaragua

Lacrosse the Nations partners with Club Hope in Villa Guadalupe. This community is a combination of families formerly living in La Chureca along with 1,422 people, 208 families in total, who were left homeless by flooding in 2010. They face unemployment, constant food insecurity, and malnutrition. In the absence of outside resources, motivated leaders are emerging, and neighbors give what they can to support one another. 

Club Hope (formerly the School of Hope) was founded in December of 2012 due to the closing and clearing of La Chureca. They offer pre-elementary education, academic support to local middle school and high school-aged students, music classes, a feeding program, and - of course - lacrosse.  Located at the entrance to the new community of Villa Guadalupe, LtN practices take place at Club Hope’s neighboring basketball court.

Economy in nicaragua

Chiquilistagua - Managua, Nicaragua

LtN first partnered with the Colegio Publico de Chiquilistagua in June of 2011, bringing the school to its first-ever PE program staff and curriculum. Before partnering with Lacrosse the Nations, Colegio Chiquilistagua did not offer any classes of structured physical education. Now, students in grades 2-11 receive PE class twice a week, and have the option to join LtN’s after-school lacrosse practices and tutoring.

Located in a rural neighborhood just outside of Managua, the school has over 1,000 students from Pre-K to 11th grade. Families in this community have extremely limited access to even the most basic services. Opportunities for advancement are rare. While few ever leave, families are strong and committed to finding a better future for their children and grandchildren.

local partners