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DIRECTOR OF GIRLS LACROSSE

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Director Stephy Samaras
DIRECTOR OF GIRLS LACROSSE
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Samaras has coached at every level, from college programs to international competition. She was an assistant coach at Yale, the first full-time head coach at Quinnipiac, and later led the University of Richmond's women's lacrosse program. Internationally, she served as head coach for the Wales and Greek national teams, guiding Wales to a European Championship in 2008.

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Samaras is a Chesapeake Chapter of US Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee and a former four-year starter on defense at the University of Virginia. She helped lead the Cavaliers to two national championship game appearances (1998, 1999) and was named a First-Team All-American in 1999 and 2000. By the end of her collegiate career, she held the program record for caused turnovers. She went on to play for the U.S. National Development Team for two seasons.

 

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ABOUT STJ STARS LACROSSE

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The St. James youth lacrosse program in Springfield, VA offers maximum opportunities for current and aspiring lacrosse players in the DC Metro area to perform at their peak. Sign up for youth lacrosse clinics, join lacrosse leagues designed to fit every age and ability, or maximize your time with one-on-one instruction. Our all-star coaches cater to every competitive tier, instilling expertise and passion for the game through custom player development and a culture of team building. We offer:

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  • Team coaching and private lacrosse lessons for all positions

  • Fun, instructional youth lacrosse clinics and developmental youth lacrosse leagues

  • On and off-field training regimens to improve strength, conditioning, and agility

  • Intensive lacrosse camps for players of all ages and skill levels

  • Highly competitive club lacrosse teams in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland

  • State-of-the-art indoor turf lacrosse field, team locker rooms, and viewing stands

 

If you are looking for a girls club lacrosse program that provides a competitive experience playing top-level teams and is focused on developing each player, then STJ Stars Lacrosse is the place to be.  STJ Stars Lacrosse is considered one of the premier middle school clubs in the country offering year-round lacrosse training and tournament competition for girls in Youth, Middle School, and High School. STJ Stars consistently places among the best teams in the country, including placing second three years in a row at the US Lacrosse U15 National Championships. 

 

STJ Stars Lacrosse aims to provide a positive atmosphere devoted to developing accomplished players by building strong stick skills, strong fundamentals and developing a well-rounded athlete.  We put a high priority on athleticism and coachability in our girls. Our coaches have all played college lacrosse at top programs and have the ability to develop your daughter's skills  at a compelling rate. Our goal is to develop an elite player who can have tremendous success at the highest level of play.  We want our players to be great athletes and great teammates.   

 

We strive to develop great goalies. The program is always looking for athletes interested in playing the position of goalie.  The STJ Stars program provides dedicated coaching for girls interested in learning the position.

 

STJ Stars players also benefit from the leadership of Kathy Jenkins, head lacrosse coach at St. Stephens St. Agnes, which is one of the top women's high school lacrosse programs in the country. Kathy is the winningest coach in girls high school lacrosse in the country and has been a national leader in girls lacrosse for more than 40 years. She is involved at all levels of the club and is focused on building great stick skills and fundamentals. Kathy is able to provide a level of expertise that is invaluable for our middle school players.

 

 

COMMITMENT

The STJ Stars Lacrosse Club is one of the most competitive in the country.  In order for the club to be successful, participants are expected to make all practices and tournaments. Any other club participation will need to be a secondary priority to STJ Stars Lacrosse.  

STJ Stars Lacrosse offers 21-26 practices and 7-8 tournaments per year. Teams also may have opportunities for additional practices and tournaments, as determined by coaches of specific teams. 


At least one or two of the practices will be clinics run by college coaches and players.  In the past, we have had coaches from UVA, JMU, The Naval Academy, Georgetown, and Richmond.  Weather permitting, we guarantee a minimum of 4 tournaments in the fall and 3 tournaments in June/July.   

Please plan on attending all tournaments listed for the fall and playing in 3-4 tournaments in the summer.  Your commitment will be through the end of June.  The 8th grade group will be competing in additional tournaments through the middle of July.

CONDITIONING
 

Being one of the most competitive clubs in the country, STJ Stars Lacrosse expects our young athletes to maintain a high level of performance.  Coaches expect the girls to be in great physical condition and able to outrun our competition.  This is especially true for the older teams.

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