Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, and New Balance have announced a partnership to raise funds and awareness for Boys and Girls Clubs in participating MLL markets in conjunction with the MLL All-Star Game, which takes place Thursday July 16 at 10 PM ET/8 PM MT at Denver's INVESCO Field.

While the League has implemented an "East" vs. "West" format for the past two seasons, this year's game will return to the popular "Old School" vs. "Young Guns" format which was featured in the 2005 All-Star Game, which also took place in Denver. The "Young Guns" squad is comprised of players from the 2007-2009 classes, while the "Old School" squad will be made up by those players from the classes prior to and including 2006.

Since 2006, Major League Lacrosse, with the generous support of the New Balance Foundation, has raised over $125,000 for charity through the online auctioning of limited-edition, autographed All-Star Game items. Previous beneficiaries of the MLL All-Star Charity Auction include the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Special Olympics of North America.

This season, the autographed jerseys of each of the 41 players appearing on the 2009 All-Star roster will be auctioned to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs in participating MLL markets.

Proceeds raised through this year's auction will be distributed among the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, (including West End House Boys and Girls Clubs, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester); Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago; Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver; and the St. Albans Boys and Girls Club (Toronto).

"For over a century, Boys and Girls Clubs have been providing worthwhile opportunities for children and young adults," said MLL Commission David Gross. "We are proud to support an organization that has working diligently to make such a positive impact in their local communities."

For more information, please visit: http://majorleaguelacrosse.com/events/allstargame/

About Major League Lacrosse
The MLL is comprised of six teams located in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Long Island, Toronto, and Washington. The 2009 MLL All-Star Game will take place on Thursday, July 16th in Denver, Colorado at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The season will culminate with the New Balance MLL Championship Weekend, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.

Major League Lacrosse was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the Official League website at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com.

About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. In early 2004, New Balance acquired Warrior Lacrosse, widely recognized as the world's most cutting edge manufacturer of lacrosse equipment. In August, 2006, New Balance acquired Brine, a recognized industry leader in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and volleyball based in Milford, MA. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,800 people around the globe, and in 2006 reported worldwide sales of $1.55 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.