Launches M&D Minnesota Girls Program With Maria Longley of Minnesota Elite
June 19, 2025
Minneapolis, MN – June 18, 2025 — 3STEP Sports, the nation’s largest and most connected youth sports club and event organization, is pleased to announce Maria Longley from Minnesota Elite has joined 3STEP to bring the M&D Lacrosse program to Minnesota in a newly formed “M&D Minnesota (M&D MN)” club. Longley joins M&D after co-founding Minnesota Elite, a top-tier girls’ lacrosse club in the Upper Midwest.
The move combines 3STEP Sports’ powerhouse national lacrosse brands, including M&D’s network of top-tier club programming and NXT Lacrosse events, with Longley’s local success and well-established Minnesota Elite Club. The result is a dynamic new opportunity for female athletes in Minnesota to compete at the highest levels of lacrosse, as well as benefit from a nationally connected lacrosse experience.
“We’re thrilled to officially bring the M&D Lacrosse approach, methodology, and national exposure to girls lacrosse in Minnesota,” said Chris Robinson, Director of M&D Lacrosse. “Maria is incredibly well respected in the Midwest and national girls’ lacrosse club community. We’re combining strengths to connect and grow the game, as well as create a truly unmatched developmental pathway for young women in the sport.”
“My decision to join M&D, Robinson Sports, and 3STEP is driven by the desire to give our female athletes the best possible experience,” said Maria Longley. “This partnership gives our players immediate national brand recognition within the college recruiting landscape. It also allows us to compete in top-tier East Coast tournaments with better opportunities for our girls. While our coaching staff remains the same, we’re now backing them with stronger resources and official ties to the number one lacrosse club in the country. This is a win on all fronts!”
“We are excited to see one of our premier girls club brands, M&D Lacrosse, continue to grow its offering in girls’ lacrosse at a time when the sport is experiencing incredible growth,” said Greg Waldbaum, President of 3STEP Sports. “We look forward to empowering the Minnesota Elite players with proven training methodologies and expanded tournament offerings as part of the M&D Lacrosse family.”
The newly formed M&D Minnesota girls’ lacrosse program will offer competitive travel club teams, seasonal training, clinics, camps, National team opportunities, and access to recruiting support and national events through M&D Lacrosse’s extensive platform. Minnesota Elite will continue operating as a non-profit foundation, dedicated to growing the game through clinics and financial assistance for families who qualify. For more information and club registration details, visit the M&D Lacrosse website. Tryout information can be found on both on M&D Lacrosse website and www.MNEliteGirls.com.
ABOUT 3STEP SPORTS
3STEP Sports is the nation’s largest and most connected youth sports club and event organization. With more than 2,500 programs, 150 brands and over 1.5 million athlete participants in nine sports, we’re creating a next generation foundation for athlete development, sport leadership, and community engagement. To learn more, www.threestep.com.
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CONTACT:
Mariah Hladick, Communications Department, 3STEP Sports: communications@threestep.com
