The weekend of June 24 and 25, the San Diego Seals hosted their fifth annual Junior Seals Summer Skills Camp. Coached by some of the NLL’s biggest West Coast stars, including Seals captain Wes Berg, ‘24-25 offensive standout Tre Leclaire and League vet Cam Holding, the Summer Skills Camp welcomes local youth players of all skill and exposure levels to a weekend of in-game instruction and extreme fun.

Currently headed by Holding with support from his teammates and the Seals Organization, this year’s iteration attracted over 120 eager players to the 4s Ranch Sports Park, tightly packed with drills and activities, and even included celebrity appearances by the San Diego Sirens, the in-house dance team, and the Seals’ mascot, Salty. “[Camp] was awesome, they had an absolute blast,” said Holding. “The kids love getting autographs, they love competing for prizes.”

Holding, the current Director of the Junior Seals program, has been coaching field and box lacrosse for the better part of the last decade, from Pop Warner to the highest rungs of the collegiate box lacrosse circuit. With years of experience on the sidelines as a player and coach, his greatest strength as an educator is his ability to cater his coaching to even the greenest of players.

“It’s more so about having fun learning the game,” Holding explained.

“It’s not super detail-skill oriented, it’s designed for general beginner to mid-level players.”

Though the region has become synonymous with lacrosse talent over the last several years due to the introduction of two professional teams, West Coast lacrosse participation is still trailing behind the “Big Four” youth sports; football, baseball, soccer and basketball. However, the participation gaps are slowly closing, due in part to grassroots efforts made by the Seals in the form of camps and community outreach, but also to the growing number of California natives and local San Diego athletes blazing trails to success in their sport.

Atop that list of lacrosse professionals representing their region is Marquez White, the short-stick defensive midfielder from Princeton University. White was drafted 35th overall by the Buffalo Bandits in the 2024 NLL Draft, before being acquired by the Seals mid-season during moments before the trade deadline. White was also a member of the San Diego Royals, the Seals-affiliated collegiate box team that won three National Collegiate Box Series (NCBS) Championships, and has become a familiar face on the Summer Skills Camp coaching staff.

“I’ve done this camp for three years now, but this was my first time as a Seal,” White explained, humbly extending praise and credit to his coaches-turned-teammates on the success of the camp over the years. “[Holding] does a really good job running it and making it really fun for the kids, and exposing them to being around professional lacrosse players.”

But while White may still see himself as the kid brother of the team, Holding recognizes White’s potential not only as a model player for their campers, but as a model adult. White, as well as the other collegiate players under the coaches’ tent’s presence, allows campers the opportunity to not only learn from the best, but see the best-of-the-best having fun playing the game they love in an intimate setting.

“It’s a shared interest and a shared love for the game, and I think ultimately that’s what helps keep the game growing,” said Holding. “When you have somebody like [White], who’s an incredible role model, and guys like Berg and myself and Leclaire, these kids look up to them, and it keeps them motivated to keep getting better and keep growing, and that’s just contagious across the board.”

Additionally, as those campers get older, Holding explained, they begin to repeat the cycle and invest in the next generation of athletes as they once were, working to better the youth scene they were once a part of and illustrating a tangible pathway to success. Holding holds White in such high regard for just that reason, explaining that despite the difference in resources and local role models as compared to when he was in the campers’ place, he has always been a local-first kind of man.

“These camps weren’t around when [White] was their age, but he grew up in the same system that all these kids are playing in,” Holding said. “Now they’re seeing him on the big stage with the Seals and learning from him and looking up to him as a role model in the community. I’ve coached Marquez for the last five years and it’s been really fun to watch him grow as a player, as a person, and give back to the community.”

White also brings a unique perspective to camp, being part of one of the last few graduating classes to experience pre-Seals San Diego lacrosse. Following their inaugural season in 2018, White has had the opportunity to watch his community’s lacrosse scene grow exponentially as the region has been introduced to both the NLL’s Seals and the Premier Lacrosse League’s California Redwoods.

“[The Seals] have done a really good job just getting their name out to a lot of the youth programs,” said White, once again nodding to Holding for his grassroots efforts. “[Holding and the Seals] are a very big part of why lacrosse has kind of exploded in San Diego, why so many of these kids are picking up a stick and even more so going into the box, which is really awesome to see.”

As a member of the 2024 NLL Rookie class, White no longer has the luxury of watching his peers leading the charge in his community. The Poway-native is now on the front lines of the sports growth in the market he was cultivated in, inheriting the responsibility from his captains and coaches to spread the good word. “I don’t know if I’ve really grasped how lucky I am that I get to be a part of it,” White said. “I’ve got a Seals shirt on right now [during this interview], and I’ve been wearing a Seals shirt since I was in high school, but now it’s actually my team, these are actually my teammates.”

While it’s easy for fans and campers alike to see Holding and White standing at the peak, it’s easier to forget that the journey to the top is not without its share of briar patches and quicksand. “Whenever I run a camp, I always look at those kids and think to myself ‘I was in their position like 15 years ago,’ and I like to tell them that,” said White. “It’s really cool to share with them that I started in the same exact shoes they were and this is the end goal, this is what it looks like, and I hope to make them feel like it’s possible.” As a product of both the San Diego youth lacrosse scene and the Royals pipeline, White hopes that his presence at camps can continue to help inspire the next generation of San Diego-bred collegiate and professional athletes, and foster the same level of respect for the game in his campers that he carries with him.

“Just be thankful for your coaches, thankful to the game, thankful to your family,” said White. “Because I think it’s all those people around you that make you that will put you in the position you are, especially in a sport like lacrosse.”

Though skills, stats and wins and losses are still the name of the game, Holding and White both agree that there is more to learning the game of lacrosse than the chance for glory, and hope their Junior Seals leave camp having learned that lesson. Holding also especially feels the need to make the Summer Skills Camp to be an opportunity to enjoy lacrosse as a game first instead of a sport as the level of competition grows.

“There’s so much pressure with different clubs and what kids want and what their goals are, this whole Division 1 thing– man, just go out, have fun,” he said, reminiscing on his childhood connection to lacrosse and the creative ways he and his friends would find ways to play out of season. “I think that’s super important for kids to have fun, not get burned out and continue to want to develop.”

Downy Rinse Becomes The Official Laundry Partner of NFL FLAG, Reaching 765,000 Youth Athletes Across 2,000 Leagues Nationwide

CINCINNATI, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Downy Rinse, the odor-fighting fabric rinse from Procter & Gamble, today announced a new partnership with NFL FLAG, the NFL’s official youth flag football league for ages 5-17 which is operated by RCX Sports. Downy is stepping into the game with a commitment to rinse out stubborn uniform odors and residues in just one wash – taking the stress out of laundry so that parents can enjoy the moments that matter most. The partnership will kick off at the NFL FLAG Championships on July 17, 2025, and extend across NFL FLAG league play and Regional Tournaments all year long.

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, played by over 20 million people across 100 countries. The sport will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games which is a historic moment for the flag football community, and the League, along with the 32 NFL Clubs, are investing in the development and growth of flag football as a global game.

Recognizing that passion for sports can lead to some serious odors, Downy Rinse has joined forces with NFL FLAG to ensure that the next generation of football stars and their families can focus on the game, not their sweaty gear. The unique Downy Rinse formula penetrates deep into fabrics to help remove tough, set-in odors that detergent can’t reach. It is safe on all washable fabrics including workout clothes and athleisure, and leaves clothing fresher, softer, and brighter versus detergent alone.

“We are thrilled to partner with NFL FLAG to help football families solve one of the top laundry issues: malodor,” said Redge Abueva, Vice President of NA Fabric Enhancers at Procter & Gamble. “This partnership goes beyond just fresh jerseys; it’s about empowering young athletes with the confidence to perform their best, and supporting the families behind them with a product that is going to be a game changer in their everyday laundry routine. We recognize that parents are on cleaning duty for junior athletes, battling their not-so-fresh uniforms as the undisputed laundry experts in their households. Downy Rinse exists to lighten their load. No more rewashing, soaking, and pre-treating – we’re proud to deliver a product that keeps its promise.”

“We’re delighted Downy is partnering with NFL FLAG this season, showcasing the brand’s ongoing investment in the sport,” said Vice President of Flag Football at the NFL Stephanie Kwok. “As a league, we are committed to growing flag football at all levels across the world ahead of the sport’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. This exciting partnership furthers our efforts, and promises an unforgettable celebration of our flag athletes everywhere.”

Through this new partnership, Downy Rinse will be integrated into the full NFL FLAG ecosystem with a strong presence across events, digital, social media, and experiences nationwide. This includes a care tag in the jerseys themselves, widespread distribution of Downy Rinse samples, as well as family-friendly experiences at the NFL FLAG Championships and marquee Regional Tournaments.

“Downy Rinse’s commitment to supporting athletes and their families both on and off the field makes them a strong and authentic addition to the NFL FLAG community,” said Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports. “Together, we’ll continue to grow and celebrate the game across regional and national tournaments while connecting with millions of families through the power of this sport. From helping kids perform their best on the field to helping parents keep their gear fresh at home, Downy Rinse is a win for everyone.”

The partnership builds on Downy Rinse’s broader NFL campaign, championing athletes of all ages and their families by providing fresh, stress-free laundry solutions for active lifestyles.

Downy Rinse is available at retailers nationwide. Try for as low as $5. Visit www.Downy.com for more information.

About RCX Sports
RCX Sports is the leader in youth sports experiences, operating and partnering with leagues, events, and brands to engage and empower the next generation of athletes. As the official youth sports operator for the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, and USTA, RCX is the only multi-sport organization trusted by pro leagues and governing bodies to represent them. RCX Sports delivers officially licensed uniforms, comprehensive resources, and full support, empowering league operators to create the best youth sports experiences in their communities. Committed to making youth sports accessible and inclusive, RCX Sports creates opportunities for all athletes to play and benefit from the transformative power of sports. For more information, visit rcxsports.com.

About P&G
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.

About NFL FLAG
NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 2,000 locally operated leagues and over 765,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.

SOURCE RCX Sports

Americans are generous with their time—coaching youth sports, feeding the hungry, cleaning parks, and serving their communities in countless ways. Many also volunteer on state boards and commissions, helping shape policies that affect us all. But what if your chance to serve depended not on your skills or dedication, but on your race or sex? Until recently, that was the reality in at least 25 states. It’s an injustice that’s finally being addressed.

One of those states—South Carolina—required a majority of the nine-person Commission for Minority Affairs to be African American. Created in 1993, the Commission for Minority Affairs studies socio-economic issues affecting minorities in South Carolina and implements programs necessary to address those issues, among other things.

When Pine Hill Indian Tribe Chief Michelle Mitchum inquired about being appointed to the Commission, she was told not to bother trying because she was the wrong race. And given the statutory mandate for a majority of Commission members to be African American, South Carolina resident Sandy Chiong—a woman of Chinese, Cuban, and Spanish descent—was categorically disqualified from consideration. As a result of the blatantly discriminatory criteria for serving on the Commission, both women sued late last year.

Other states impose discriminatory criteria for service on practically all of their boards and commissions. In Montana, for example, state law required the governor to “attain gender balance and proportional representation of minorities resident” in the state when making appointments to all state boards. Likewise, in Tennessee, the governor was required to “ensure that at least one” person serving on every state board was “a member of a racial minority.”

Given that Montana’s and Tennessee’s laws covered even the state medical boards, Do No Harm—an organization dedicated to keeping identity politics out of medical education, research, and clinical practice—challenged both laws in court to ensure that those regulating physicians are chosen solely due to individual merit and qualifications.

Still, other states, like Arkansas, had a patchwork system of racial preferences and quotas for numerous state boards. For instance, the governor was required to appoint one “member of a minority race” to the occupational therapy committee and at least one “member of an ethnic minority” to the counseling board. In response, Do No Harm and the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism sued to ensure all qualified individuals interested in serving on both boards had the opportunity for equal consideration.

Racial preferences and quotas for public service are never a good idea: They serve only to divide and single people out for favor or disfavor based on personal characteristics they cannot control. Such preferences and quotas also treat members of minority groups as interchangeable, ignoring the individual qualifications, experience, and ideas that everyone uniquely possesses. Worse still, such quotas violate the American promise of equal protection guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

Perhaps worried about violating the Constitution—or at least, worried about defending unconstitutional laws in court—the governors of South Carolina, Montana, Tennessee, and Arkansas signed bills this spring that removed discriminatory requirements for state boards and commissions. Their actions are to be commended. Now, everyone in those states is on equal footing to demonstrate their interest and credentials for why they should be selected for the important role of serving the citizens of their state.

The work is not done, however. Lawsuits challenging similar race-based preferences and quotas for service on public boards in Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, and West Virginia are ongoing. And still, many other states have discriminatory laws in place. But with every racial preference and quota that ends, we move closer to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of a society where people are not “judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

For kids, summer may be a time filled with camps and vacations. For those staying in the greater Grand Rapids area, a new initiative from Jump Ahead L3C aims to not only provide engagement to children, but foster an environment of creativity and community.

The Jump Ahead Play Fuel Summer Initiative is a free, E-Sports day camp opportunity to learn all things E-Sports, including gaming, content creation, and more from D1 E-Sports athletes.

With a rise in E-Sports athletics over the years, the program aims to not only provide educational opportunities, but empower youth through extracurricular activities and teamwork.

The Play Fuel Initiative will be every Friday and Saturday at Jump Ahead until August 1 from 5:30 P.M. to 9 P.M.

Visit thejumpedahead.com for more information, or give them a call at (616) 278-2922.

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