I am very excited to introduce Coach Caroline Fitzgerald but to two little girls she is mom, the most important title.
Where are you from originally?
I actually grew up in Rye,NY but the South Shore has always been my 2nd home. It was a pure coincidence but when we moved up here in 2015, my parents are both Cohasset natives and high school sweethearts — each one of 6 kids. Currently, I live next door to the church where my parents and all my aunts and uncles were married, where I was baptized, and where my daughters were baptized. I feel so lucky to be part of this community.
Tell us about your family! How many kids, names/ages?
I have 2 daughters, Maeve who just turned 8 and Keira who will b 7 in March. Since I come from such a big family (my parents both being 1 of 6 kids) , I have 26 1st cousins. We all went on to have kids of our own, so that brings that # to 32 little, little cousins. Let’s just say my family reunions get pretty rowdy!
How did you start your business?
I spent 12 years in the financial services recruiting industry. It wasn’t until 2023 that I decided to make the pivot entirely in lacrosse coaching. I created the concept of business as I saw my daughters give lacrosse a try but there was no meaningful coaching where they were engaged enough to develop an interest. I saw their friends feel similarly. I saw introductory activities for every sport, but girls lacrosse, particularly one that would provide them with a strong foundation of skills that would prepare them for town or club lacrosse.
I’ve actually been running this business technically for 2 years now, only going out on my own in April of this year, and stamping the GLOW LACROSSE LLC on for first time! . Prior to that, I teamed up with Scoops and led a successful effort running this vision of mine in test mode, under the name Halos Lacrosse. After a year of a ton of momentum, I left and actually joined South Shore Select’s team under Liz Lima, as the club’s 1st ever non-soccer offering. Liz and I attended Harvard together. We both were leading female-centric businesses at the time, and we agreed soccer and lacrosse was a perfect marriage. I ran GLOW under Select for about 9 months, and here I am on my own!
Over the course of the last 2 years, with no real coaching experience, I’ve had over 200 girls register for my program, through butchered social media marketing (not my strong suit). I was going rogue (ha!), just running through brick walls to find field space, find players, create a curriculum that appealed to these little women. I prioritized the coaching and the experience, and the branding just started to take shape but starting a business is really hard. It is definitely a work in progress, especially starting a business like GLOW in such a saturated market. I absolutely love it!
What is your favorite part about living in the South Shore?
Since I am so connected to this area, we have a tiny beachhouse in Green Harbor which has been in my family for over 105 years. My grandparents met on the beach there in the 7th an 8th grade. Its about 750 sq feet right on the water with a big sea wall and a huge deck to host big family gatherings. The girls and I go down there all the time to meet up with our cousins, walk the beach, or go for a swim. Sandy Beach is also at the top of the list!
What family activity do you enjoy most?
Well my daughters are very active and their curiosity and enthusiasm for activities is as long as their list of activities 🙂 So we love our weekend excursions to soccer practice, dance recitals, and they get to come and play with me at GLOW. That is a dream come true.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
Well I feel very connected with this particular age group (GLOW is 4-10) because I’m a mom of girls who exactly in line with the girls I coach, it feels very natural. It is also so great to have the fortune of meeting new families, new parents. I have made so many friends working across these beautiful towns. That was a wonderful surprise when I started my business. And I love lacrosse, so what’s better then running around and rediscovering that love lasts a lifetime? I have a blast out there. I am just as passionate about all sports as I was as a kid. GLOW isn’t just about lacrosse. At GLOW, we want girls to try multiple sports, to explore, to discover what they love — because that’s what builds coachability, social awareness, and using your athleticism to allow faster progress. Those skills are so important in life and I want these girls to see the value in everything GLOW offers, beyond instruction.
What do you find to be the toughest part about being a working mom?
It is not easy, that’s for sure! It is a real grind, especially starting a new business and constantly having to pivot as the world of girls youth lacrosse is constantly in motion, getting more competitive, and expanding regionally every day. I have to ride that wave so it is a lot of work trying to stay true to my mission but change course to keep GLOW alive and interesting for girls of all different skill levels.
Luckily, My daughters love GLOW. I’m not even sure if they love lacrosse as it is too early to tell, but they love the concept, and the hot pink T-shirts, and glow-in-the dark water bottles and scrunchies. My car looks like a circus RV filled with equipment and sparkles and little surprises for my players. I don’t get to take the girls with me nearly as much as I’d like because they are so active and I’ve got a laundry list of fun after school activities, but they do tell me often “ we are so proud of you, mom”. That certainly makes it a lot easier on the mind and the heart if I have to be away from them.
What is the best advice you have received as a mom?
“You are a mother — and you are still you.”
What is your best advice for a new mom?
“Don’t measure yourself against any other mom. You were meant to be the mother of your daughters. There is no one else is the world they need more than you”
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Maybe 2 things
1.) I love interior design! 2) I am the silliest person my daughters have ever met. They love it now but that ship will sail real fast, so I need to really reign it in since time flies and they’ll be teenagers in a blink.
Is there a Quote or mantra you live by?
“Always see the good”
Your favorite local spot for: date night, coffee break, workout, new outfit, self-care, “Me Time”
Sandy Beach and Lenny’s Hideaway in Cohasset!
Follow GL
OW Lacrosse on Instagram or visit her website to stay connected and up to date on all upcoming clinics including the next clinic starting in November. Caroline also offers private sessions, drop-in clinics, and half day clinics. She has created a truly amazing program, that is giving all girls a chance to get out on the field and play!