Taylor Goldstein: Growing the Game
My name is Taylor Goldstein and I am a rising Junior studying Finance. This summer, I had the opportunity to coach youth lacrosse in Manhattan Beach, California, where I helped grow the game on the West Coast by working with athletes of all ages and skill levels. Coaching in a region where lacrosse continues to expand allowed me to share my passion for the sport while developing my leadership, communication, and mentorship skills.
Throughout the summer, I coached in three different programs, each providing a unique and rewarding experience. The first was a youth day camp designed for children who had never picked up a lacrosse stick before. Introducing beginners to the fundamentals of the game and watching their confidence grow over the course of the camp was incredibly rewarding. I also coached evening training sessions for girls who played recreational and club lacrosse and were looking for additional instruction and repetitions to improve their skills. Finally, I coached at the California Palms Youth Camp, where girls ages 6–15 with prior playing experience focused on developing their technical skills, game awareness, and confidence.
One of the highlights of the California Palms Youth Camp was the opportunity to coach alongside Ellie Masera. Learning from and working with a player of her caliber was an unforgettable experience. She generously shared her knowledge with the athletes, offered valuable feedback during drills, and inspired the girls through her positive attitude and encouragement. Meeting her and seeing the impact she had on the campers reinforced the importance of being a role model and giving back to the next generation of athletes.
Another meaningful part of my summer was coaching children with disabilities and diverse learning needs. This experience challenged me to adapt my coaching style by using different teaching methods, breaking skills into manageable steps, and creating an inclusive environment where every athlete could succeed. Watching each player gain confidence and enjoy the sport reminded me that effective coaching is about meeting athletes where they are and helping them reach their individual potential.
This experience also changed my perspective on coaching. As a finance major preparing to enter the professional world, I realized that coaching is about much more than teaching a sport. It strengthened skills that are essential in any career, including communicating ideas clearly, adjusting explanations to fit different audiences, and recognizing that everyone learns and processes information differently. I learned that being an effective leader requires flexibility, patience, and the ability to tailor your approach to each individual. These lessons are directly applicable to the business world, where success often depends on collaborating with diverse teams, presenting complex ideas in ways others can understand, and adapting to different working styles.
Overall, coaching in California was an incredibly rewarding experience that allowed me to make a positive impact through sport while strengthening my leadership, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving skills. Helping young athletes develop a love for lacrosse while learning from experienced coaches made this summer one of the most meaningful experiences of my athletic career. It reinforced that some of the most valuable professional skills are developed outside of the classroom and will continue to benefit me throughout my academic, athletic, and future career.
Â
For more Rhody women's lacrosse Outside the Box features, click here.
