True Lacrosse Idaho brought competitive opportunities to Pocatello this week, conducting regional tryouts and a skills clinic at OK Ward Park on July 23 and 24. The events are part of the organization’s efforts to identify and develop young lacrosse talent across East Idaho.
The Treasure Valley-based competitive club team focuses on building the sport’s footprint in Idaho by offering coaching and advancement pathways to aspiring players. The regional stop in Pocatello reflects the organization’s commitment to extending opportunities beyond its home base.
Building the Next Generation
Elijah Almanza, assistant director of True Lacrosse Idaho, emphasized the organization’s long-term vision for developing youth players. “If we can get them started at a young age and they love the sport and continue to develop the passion for it… that’s honestly the best case for the state of Idaho,” Almanza said.
That philosophy extends to the coaching staff brought in for the Pocatello clinic. Awmi Macbeth, the organization’s face-off coach, is a Pocatello native who grew up playing lacrosse in East Idaho before attending the University of Lynchburg and later transferring to the College of Idaho. His return to the region to coach reflects the club’s strategy of leveraging local connections and expertise.
Expanding the Sport’s Reach
Macbeth underscored the broader mission guiding the organization’s regional expansion. “We’re just looking to forward and growing the sport through the West and kind of make it a bigger sport overall and get more opportunities to these kids,” he said.
The presence of a competitive club team conducting regional tryouts signals growing interest in lacrosse across Idaho. While the sport remains less established than football, basketball, or baseball in the state, efforts by organizations like True Lacrosse Idaho aim to build sustainable programs that can compete at higher levels.
What Comes Next
True Lacrosse Idaho’s regional model suggests the organization may continue conducting tryouts and clinics in other parts of the state. Young players interested in competitive lacrosse in the Pocatello area can follow the organization’s future events and opportunities through its regional team development program.
The clinic’s timing comes as Southeast Idaho experiences summer heat, with athletes and families in the region managing outdoor athletic activities during warm conditions.