ALBANY, NEW YORK – The Albany FireWolves, the Capital Region’s Indoor Lacrosse team playing out of the Times Union Center beginning in December, introduce the AFW Training Academy – “Powered” by Gait Lacrosse.
AFW Training Academy is a lacrosse instructional platform consisting of leagues and clinics taught and coached by players and coaches of the National Lacrosse League’s newest team, the Albany FireWolves. Programs will run year-round with a particular focus on the summer and winter. The inaugural AFW Training Academy season will be held this coming summer in June and July and consist of three junior FireWolves Programs, including Team Skills and Scrimmage, Beginners and Experienced, and the inaugural season for the Capital Region Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (CRCBLL). All training will be run by current rostered Albany FireWolves players.
“We are committed to grow the sport of Box Lacrosse in the United States and especially in the Capital Region, our home market,” said Oliver Marti, Albany FireWolves CEO & Owner. “I am so proud to have the opportunity to have our FireWolves players involved in these programs, where they can help develop the youth that play this great game. Boys and girls will receive training from some of the best athletes in the world and in turn get the opportunity to see those athletes showcase their talents as they compete on the turf at the Times Union Center. The sport of lacrosse is growing tremendously, and we want to also introduce box lacrosse to the kids do further help them develop into premier lacrosse athletes.”
“As we promised when we introduced our team into the league and market, we want to be a big part of our community and give back,” said George Manias, Albany FireWolves President. “AFW Training Academy gives us a platform to do just that. Not only will boys and girls be coached and developed by professional NLL FireWolves players and coaches, but they will also see these same players and coaches involved in our community and giving back. They will be role models for these kids both on and off the turf. Our goal is to give every kid in our community the ability to at least try the sport of Box Lacrosse and through an upcoming community program we will be rolling out soon, we will help those kids who may not be able to afford to do so. We want to include everyone in our programs as we grow this sport and our presence in our community.”
The Albany FireWolves also announce that the AFW Training Academy will be presented by Gait Lacrosse. A lacrosse equipment manufacturing company based in Altamont, NY, Gait Lacrosse was founded by legends of the lacrosse world, brothers Paul and Gary Gait. The two have played and coached at the highest levels of both men’s and women’s lacrosse and are committed to creating the best on-field products for lacrosse players of all ages. The company has a full line of women’s lacrosse gear and men’s lacrosse heads, handles, and gloves.
“We are very excited to partner with the FireWolves Training Academy to help grow the sport of indoor lacrosse, in the Capital District,” said Paul Gait, President of Gait Lacrosse. “We believe that playing the indoor game is extremely beneficial in developing stick skills at an accelerated pace and know that the FireWolves coaches and players will do a great job training the kids within this program.”
The AFW training Academy will be primarily based out of the Knickerbacker Arena in Troy, NY. The Knickerbacker Arena is owned and operated by the City of Troy and the land the arena sits upon is owned by Knickerbacker family and association. “While I’m truly excited to have the Albany FireWolves locating across the river in Albany for their home games, I’m even more excited with the newly formed partnership with the FireWolves for practice time and youth lacrosse programs at our Knick Arena in Troy!” said Carmella Mantello, Troy City Council President. “Lacrosse has fast become a first-rate sport for boys and girls, teaching everything from skills to teamwork to leadership, and we look forward to bringing this experience to our youth in Troy.”
For more information on AFW Training Academy and how to register for upcoming summer programs beginning in June, visit: https://AlbanyFireWolves.com/AFW-Training-Academy, email us at TrainingAcademy@AlbanyFireWolves.com, or call us at 518-362-4900 x130. Also, follow the AFW Training Academy on social media for up-to-date information regarding the program – @AFWTrAcademy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Fans can secure their place to have first selection of their seats by joining the team’s priority seating list. A $50 refundable deposit grants fans the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the upcoming season once tickets are officially on sale in April. For more information regarding tickets, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call 518-362-4900.
The Albany FireWolves 2021 Inaugural Season is presented by CDPHP.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League beginning in the fall of 2021. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or by going to AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About Gait Lacrosse
PG Lax Properties LLC is a US based company created, by Paul Gait and Curt Styres to produce the “Gait” brand of lacrosse products. The brand originally developed by Paul Gait, for Rawlings Sporting Goods, was contractually re-acquired by Gait in 2018. In September of 2019, Paul’s twin brother Gary, arguably the greatest player of all time, joined the company to create one of the industry’s most dynamic duos in design and innovation. The Company is committed to use its legendary design experience and proven creativity to produce products with game changing innovation and technology. Established partnerships with the NLL, U.S. Women’s National Team, professional athletes and NCAA programs has allowed the Gait brothers to prove their performance design and technology is unmatched within the industry. Learn More at gaitofficial.com.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 14 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany NLL, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (taking action on the floor in the 2021-22 season), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors. For more information, visit NLL.com and find the NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
About Times Union Center
Times Union Center is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, Times Union Center opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany Empire of the National Arena League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
About CDPHP®
Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.
