About Katy (Founder)
Katy is an accomplished athlete, coach, and a US Lacrosse certified junior official. She is a high school senior from the Atlanta area, and she has been around the sport since she was in fourth grade. She had the opportunity to play for some great coaches and programs where she developed her skills and love for the game.
Katy played at a highly competitive level throughout her career. Starting in fifth grade, she played in the high school division when she joined her club team, Hotlanta Lacrosse. Throughout middle school and her first years of high school, Katy continued with Hotlanta. It was during her time with Hotlanta where she began to develop her passion for lacrosse.
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The club was the first program where Katy received goalie-specific coaching. These goalie training sessions greatly improved her game and gave Katy a greater appreciation for her position. Katy also realized the importance and impact of having coaches knowledgeable about all of the aspects of being a goalie; at that time, she decided that she wanted to give other goalies the same opportunity she had to be coached and to train with an experienced goalie coach.
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In both her freshman and sophomore years, Katy started for her school's varsity team. She had an impressive freshman season, earning a spot on the All-Region team. Unfortunately, Katy's sophomore season ended early when she sustained a career-ending injury. For the remainder of the spring season, she spent her time volunteering as an assistant coach for her school's girl's middle school lacrosse team.
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Currently, she coaches for West Cobb Girl's Lacrosse Club and is the assistant coach for Baylor Middle School Girl's Lacrosse.
Why Train With Southern Heat?
Katy has spent the last seven years of her life growing and developing her passion for the game of lacrosse. Now, she's spending her time helping others to grow that same passion for the sport.
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Katy not only has experience coaching, but she also has the invaluable experience in the goal. Playing for years competitively has given her the opportunity to play with and against some great teams and programs. She has also been coached by many outstanding coaches throughout her career. It is from this experience that Katy learned what it takes to succeed, was supplied with numerous drills, and developed a strong understanding of her position and everything required of a goalie physically and mentally.
Katy took her understanding of the game a step further when she took on the role as a coach. She has been coaching for four years, working with both middle school and elementary school programs. She has been successful in coaching these age groups because of her vibrant and inspiring personality. She aims to help each athlete she works with to love the cage and to diligently work to improve his/her skills. She takes her own playing experience and translates it to coaching in order to help her athletes.
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As if playing and coaching weren't enough, Katy took on another role in the game as a junior official. Because of her status as an official, Katy has a great understanding of the rules of the youth game and uses this knowledge to direct her coaching.
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Mission
Southern Heat's mission is to fix the common issue of the lack of goalie-specific instruction available for youth goalies in the southeast by providing quality coaching and training to youth lacrosse goalies in the Atlanta and Chattanooga areas. Our goal is to foster a strong passion and love for the position and for the game of lacrosse in all of our athletes. We strive to create a fun, yet challenging atmosphere in all lessons and programs in order to motivate and inspire youth goalies. We look to improve athletes' skills and techniques, and to place a strong emphasis on the importance of developing mental strength and leadership as a goalie; we hope to encourage the growth of a strong athlete and individual on and off the field.
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