At Ponce Lions, we don’t just teach lacrosse. We build community. We’re transforming youth opportunities in Puerto Rico through sport, after-school programs, and partnerships that revitalize spaces and train leaders.
Revitalizing La Escuela Ramiro Colón: A Community Initiative in Ponce
The school renovation project at La Escuela Ramiro Colón marks a significant step in revitalizing an institution that has been unused for over a decade. Situated at the entrance of Ponce, adjacent to Charles H. Terry Sports Park and La Escuela Rafael Pujals, this site holds immense potential.
Campo Atlético Charles H. TerryA tournament-grade sports school at the entrance of Ponce: after-school and summer programs in lacrosse and flag football, in partnership with COODEP.
Ten-year lease approved
10+
Sports Offered
A few more facts about us in numbers
70+
Sticks & helmets collected
100+
Students trained in clinics
15
Athletic directors certified
5+
Local public schools reached
Partnership with COODEP
On August 29th, 2024, the City of Ponce Legislature approved a ten-year lease to COODEP, a local sports cooperative. In exchange for the lease, COODEP will renovate and repurpose La Escuela Ramiro Colón into a sports school that will serve the community. Our plan for Ponce Lions is to partner with COODEP to offer after-school and summer programs in lacrosse and flag football for the local community.
The Sport School will offer sports such as:
Our Goals and Vision
The Ponce Lions are transforming youth opportunities in Puerto Rico through lacrosse, after-school programs, and community partnerships.
Together, we’re revitalizing spaces, training leaders, and building resilience through sport.
A local game with a global horizon.
Building Resilience and
Community Spaces
Even though the school remains without power and water, we are optimistic. Once services are established, we can start the after-school and summer programs. For the park, we hired an architect for a new multi-use turf field proposal that includes an Olympic-sized 6s Lacrosse field with capabilities for Flag Football, Soccer, and a general open & safe space for the community.
A Vision for the Future
The renovation of La Escuela Ramiro Colón and Charles H. Terry Sports Park is more than just a construction project. It is a long-term vision of hope. With the support of local organizations, the private sector, and the community, we aim to transform this abandoned space into a vibrant youth development and engagement hub.
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Testimonials from Our Community
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Working with the Matos Family on Island Development projects along with newly established Ponce Lions and COODEP has opened new opportunities for Puerto Rico Lacrosse to share our sport with local student-athletes, with the City of Ponce and the island of Puerto Rico. La Escuela Ramiro Colón project allows us to showcase what our organization is all about and our commitment to the island of Puerto Rico.
Miguel Lozada
President, Puerto Rico Lacrosse
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Our vision for La Escuela Ramiro Colón community building project runs parallel with the values of Puerto Rico Lacrosse and the Ponce Lions. We look forward to managing the club’s day-to-day activities and being the local liaison to help establish a lacrosse program for the local community.
Jose Miguel Hernandez
President, COODEP
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Rauli and his father, Raul “Papush”, came to our show in the initial days of their venture into our City. Rauli is always welcome to our show to share the latest news and to be the voice of Lacrosse in our City of Ponce.
Luis Lugo
Radio Host, Radio Leo Sports Program · Professor Emeritus, La Escuela Rafael Pujals
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The moment I first picked up the stick in the 6th grade, I immediately fell in love with the sport of lacrosse. Lacrosse has taught me discipline, how to handle adversity, and, more importantly, never to give up. You can’t put a price on the values that sport teaches you, which is why it is so essential to defuse not only lacrosse but sports as a whole in the city of Ponce. I’m glad lacrosse has allowed me to start this social project and do something bigger than myself. The school project is unique to me as my great-great-grandfather, Lucas P. Valdivieso, was the original philanthropist in 1909 when the park was founded. This is a fact we learned when we first started scouting potential parks. Continuing what my great-great-great-grandfather started generations ago fills me with pride, motivating me even more to work on this community development project.
Rauli Matos
Founder, Ponce Lions · U20 Puerto Rico National Lacrosse Team Member
Our Valued Sponsors & Partners
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We’ll be in touch soon with dates, location details, and registration information for the 2026 Summer Lacrosse and Flag Football Camps.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the project, the programs, and lacrosse in Ponce.
12 months after utilities are established.
The project is funded through private funds and community donations.
Yes, the plan is to teach lacrosse along with other sports at the school. We will organize clinics, camps, and training for local athletic directors. These events will be shared via our social media.
Good question! Depending on the type of game played, Conventional, Sixes, or Box, the field varies in size. The plan for the Ponce Lions is to focus on Sixes as this is the size selected for the Olympics for Lacrosse. This size is manageable for younger players and lots of fun. Follow the link to the rules and field sizes.
Sixes - World LacrosseNo. Puerto Rico Lacrosse has other local teams in the metropolitan area. These teams are the Pit Bulls, Espartanos, Pitirres, and Torugas. They are all very young programs that have just started at schools and local clubs.
Island Development – Puerto Rico LacrosseYes. The National Teams come to Puerto Rico for practices before significant tournaments. Most recently, the women's U20 team visited Puerto Rico in the summer of 2024, before their World Championship games in Hong Kong. The U20 men traveled to Ponce and San Juan in the summer of 2025, before the World Games in South Korea. For more information, please follow us on our social media platforms to stay updated on our upcoming events.
2025 World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship