Westford Youth Lacrosse
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiddle Stix Program
U 8 and U9 Program
Westford Youth Lacrosse Spring 2019 Season
How can I help?
Fiddlestix Program
Philosophy
The U7 program will use "Fiddle Stix", which are smaller lacrosse sticks that are easier for the kids to handle combined with softer balls. It will be a fun, non-competitive, non-contact, developmental lacrosse program for mixed boys & girls — (current school year kindergarten).
Equipment
No equipment is required. The Fiddle Stix and softer balls will be provided.
Cost
The cost to register for the season is $50 per player. In addition, your child must register with the US Lacrosse ($35 membership) for insurance purposes. Please register with US Lacrosse first at http://www.uslacrosse.org/membership.aspx. You will need the membership # to register for Westford Lacrosse.
Dates/Location
TBD.
U8 Girls and U9 Boys Program
PHILOSOPHY AND FOCUS
The focus of the clinic will be to teach the fundamental skill sets involved in lacrosse. It will be conducted in a safe, fun environment where the kids can learn the key skills of lacrosse to prepare them for future play at higher competition levels.
PRACTICES
Specific dates for practice will be set before the season starts. In general there will be one 60 minute practice during the week and optional Chumash games on Friday for boys. The season will run from mid-March (indoors) through mid-June.
EQUIPMENT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
The Equipment needed will be the regulation lacrosse equipment for each gender:
Girls: Regulation girls lacrosse stick, a mouth guard and goggles.
Boys: helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, arm/elbow pads, gloves, athletic supporter and regulation lacrosse stick.
GAMES
The Boys program will play in the Mass Bay Youth Lax League, which will consist of 8 regular season games (on Sundays). The League is focused on player development. Even though there are games, there will be a coach on the field during games to help the kids.
The Girls program will play in the Founders Girls Lacrosse League (FGLL), which consist of 8 regular season games for U10+ on Sundays. The league is focuses on balanced teams and player development. No official score is kept at any level.
COSTS
The registration fees will vary between the boys and girls program. An active US Lacrosse membership must be purchased at $30 for the girls. The boys will need to register with MYBLL ($40). We receive our insurance from US Lacrosse and MBYLL; all players and coaches must be members.
Westford Youth Lacrosse Spring Season
What age groups participate in Westford Youth Lacrosse?
Boys in grades 1-8 will play in the Mass Bay Youth Lax League, which combines grades (i.e. combined grades - 3rd and 4th graders will play in Gr 3/4) Your son should register for the grade he is enrolled in for that school year.
There will be a Classic league with evenly balanced teams that will play on Sundays. In addition, the Gr 5/6 and Gr 7/8 age groups will have a Select team, which is more competitive play. These games will be played on Friday or Saturdays.
The Girls program will play in the Founder's Lacrosse League and will have 4 age groups: U8 for 1st and 2nd grade, U10 for 3rd and 4th grade, U12 for 5th and 6th grade, and U14 for 7th and 8th grade. In addition, U14 will have a Select Team, which is more competitive play. These games will be played on Friday nights.
A child who may be 14 but is in high school cannot play in the league.
Fiddlestix - an in-town program (clinic based) for both boys and girls in Kindergarten and Pre-First.
What is the cost?
For the Boys program (grades 3-8), the registration fee is $225 per player for the Classic League.
For the Gr 5/6 and 7/8 Select team, there will be an additional fee, but it will depend on the number of players on each team. (ballpark estimate is $100/player)
For the Boys program (grades 1-2), the registration fee is $100 per player.
For the Girls U8 program, the registration fee is $125 per player including uniforms.
For the Girls program, (U10, U12 and U14) the registration is $225 per player including uniforms.
For the U14 Select Team, there will be an additional fee, but it will depend on the number of players on each team. (ballpark estimate is $80/player)
For both Girls and Boys, the fee does NOT include a US Lacrosse Membership ($35) or the MBYLL membership ($40) A player must have an active US Lacrosse or MBYLL Member throughout the season.
When is the season? When are the Games? Do they practice?
The Youth Lacrosse Season will likely start playing games during the first week of April and will likely go through the second weekend of June. The games are primarily played between 10:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays for 1st-8th grade. The Select teams will play on Friday or Saturday. Practices are normally held twice during the week and are subject to the coaches schedule. Practices (indoor) will start in mid-March.
How many games are played? Are all the games in Westford?
Each team should play at least 8 regular season games between April 1st and the second weekend of June. Westford Youth Lacrosse belongs to the Founders Girls Lacrosse League (FGLL) for girls and the Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League (MBYLL) for boys. Each team should have 4 home games and 4 away games. Westford has also participated in a Jamboree each spring. The Jamboree falls during the first two weekends of June and is held at different locations for the boys and girls.
Does my son or daughter need to be a U.S. Lacrosse Member or MBYLL Member?
Yes. Westford Youth Lacrosse receives its insurance coverage from either US Lacrosse or MBYLL. Therefore, each WYL player must be a member of U.S. Lacrosse or MBYLL to play in the Leagues. You need to have an active membership with US Lacrosse or MBYLL to complete the WYL application.
If I request a position for my 13 or 14 year-old, will that guarantee that he/she will play that position?
Not necessarily. We will make every effort to place players where they would like to play but most often will shuttle players between two positions to balance the team.
How much is the equipment?
The equipment necessary is different for the girls and the boys.
Girls need goggles, mouthguards and a stick. Many have purchased close fitting gloves. Girls can normally get packages in the $200 range (including stick).
Boys need a helmet, mouthguard, shoulder pads, arm pads, protective cup, gloves and a stick. Boys' packages are normally about $180 for a starter package (including stick). Westford Youth Lacrosse has worked with equipment suppliers in the past to provide deals to Westford Youth Parents.
We have a uniform from last year, can we use that again?
For the 2020 seasson, the girls can reuse their uniform from last year. If you need a new uniform, you will be able to purchase it when you register. For the boys program, you will need to order a new uniform for the 2020 season, but afterward you will be able to reuse the uniform.
How can I help?
Please
if you would like to help, as we are all volunteers running Westford Youth Lacrosse. We are doing our best to provide an excellent growing experience for all involved. There are many roles that need to be filled to make each team whole and help each coach run their team efficiently. Thanks for your interest.
Murph McKeon
President, Westford Youth Lacrosse
