National Forge Summit™

The National Forge Summit™ serves as the apex of the USVI National Teams Program’s National Development Program (NDP), representing the intensive selection phase for elite talent identified across the U.S. Virgin Islands and its diaspora. This one-day event is conceptualized not merely as a traditional combine, but as a "catalyst"—an ignition point where raw athletic potential converges with structured opportunity, shifting the focus from mere measurement to a transformative evaluation of the "full-spectrum" athlete. By integrating state-of-the-art principles of talent identification, the summit establishes a rigorous pathway for U13, U15, and U17 boys and girls to enter the National Team Pool.

The architectural design of the summit, scheduled for August 15th, 2026 at the DE Turf facility in Delaware, utilizes a multifaceted assessment model. This model evaluates technical proficiency, tactical intelligence, and behavioral alignment with the USVI’s unique cultural identity. The program employs a data-aware framework that balances precision science with the "earned prestige" of representing a national program.

Foundations of the National Forge Summit™ Model

The National Forge Summit™ is predicated on the distinction between talent selection and talent identification. While selection focuses on current ability to win immediate competitions, identification is a predictive science aimed at future performance based on physical, technical, and psychological indicators. The USVI Lacrosse system, avoids the "win-at-all-costs" mentality of youth sports, instead prioritizing long-term athlete development (LTAD). This approach recognizes that early biological maturation often skews perception of talent, and thus the summit emphasizes "coachability" and "sensitivity to training" alongside raw metrics.

The program utilizes a tiered structure categorized by "Forge" branding: Forge Base™ for the foundational U13 level, Forge Ascend™ for the intermediate U15 level, and Forge Apex™ for the elite U17 level. Each tier demands increasing levels of positional intelligence and competitive readiness, with the U17 level integrating full-spectrum athletic diagnostics to prepare athletes for the Forge Select™ U19 collegiate and international pathway.

The National Forge Summit™ selection camp outcome determines the athletes per each age division who will enter the National Team pool, representing the most elite tier of USVI lacrosse talent identified through the comprehensive selection process.

National Teams Pool

Once athletes are evaluated and selected, they enter our National Teams Pool and have the option to participate in the USVI National Teams Program in variety of ways. Most will compete for a position on one of our National Teams based on their age eligibility. They also have the option to join our Elite Team program. They may choose to select one pathway over the other. The choice, which is largely the athletes, is made in consultation with our coaching staff, and is based on the players training, development and recruitment objectives, opportunities and priorities.

National Teams Selection | Elite Team Program

Following formal commitment by entering the National Team Pool, players are now eligible to compete for positions on National Teams  based on Age Eligibility. Players are offered unique opportunities to engage in the USVI development system by also participating in the Elite Team Program. A competitive elite team model, these teams play on the elite circuit, attend high-profile showcase events, leverage participation towards recruiting advantage, and extend their capabilities by intensifying the training experience in the USVI system.

National Forge Summit™ Schedule

The National Forge Summit™ is designed as a one-day camp to identify top youth lacrosse talent (ages 13–18) while fostering skill development, community engagement, and cultural alignment with the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The event supports the National Development Program (NDP) by evaluating technical, tactical, and behavioral strengths, and providing actionable feedback to participants.

As a key component of the National Development Program (NDP), the camp provides a thorough evaluation of each player. The assessment focuses on technical abilities, tactical understanding, and overall behavioral qualities. Every participant receives detailed feedback designed to support their personal growth and continued development in the sport.

  • Date: August 15, 2026
  • Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm (see detailed schedule for pre-event requirements)
  • Primary Location: DE Turf
  • Check-In: 7:30am

Pre-Event Logistics and Administrative Alignment (06:30 – 07:30)

The operational success of the summit begins with a streamlined arrival and registration process designed to minimize athlete anxiety and maximize professional throughput. From 06:30 to 07:00, the facility is prepared by staff to ensure that every evaluation station is calibrated to national standards.

Pre-Event Registration and Psychological Priming (07:30 – 09:00)

The registration period is the first point of contact where the program’s culture of "selective belonging" is established. Athletes receive jerseys numbered on both sides for evaluator clarity—a standard practice in elite identification events to ensure that player performance is captured from every field angle.

Session 1: Dynamic Warm-Up and High-Performance Diagnostics (09:00 – 09:30)

The dynamic warm-up is designed not only to prepare the body for high-intensity movement but also to serve as the initial window for assessing an athlete's physical literacy and focus. This session follows a RAMP (Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate) protocol, supervised by certified strength and conditioning personnel.

Session 2: Positional Assessment and Technical Proficiency (09:30 – 12:00)

This 150-minute block is the most critical technical evaluation period of the summit. Athletes are separated by position—Attack, Midfield, Defense, and Goalies—to undergo drills developed by U.S. National Team personnel.

Session 3: Lunch and Cognitive Development (12:00 – 13:30)

The lunch hour is not merely a break but a period of "cognitive refueling" and "Game IQ" development. High-performance nutrition—emphasizing lean proteins and complex carbohydrates—is provided to sustain the athletes through the physically demanding afternoon sessions.

Session 4: Team Organization & Tactical Drills (13:30 – 14:30)

This 60-minute block bridges the gap between individual skills and full-field play. It focuses on "odd-man" and "unsettled" situations, which are the primary drivers of success in modern, high-tempo lacrosse.

Session 5: Team Competition and Evaluation Rotations (14:30 – 17:00)

The "Summit Championship" phase features full-field scrimmages designed to provide evaluators with a holistic view of the athletes' performance in a competitive context.

The National Team Pool and Final Selection Protocol (17:00 – 19:00)

As the physical activity concludes at 17:00, the "Summit MVP" and "Wrap-up" session serve to recognize excellence and reinforce the transformative nature of the event. Participants receive detailed, actionable feedback designed to support their personal development, regardless of their immediate placement in the program.