Overview
Wachusett Youth Lacrosse
History
Wachusett Youth Lacrosse is a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in 2003. We currently have over 170 boys ranging in age from 7-14 years old. Chris Paquette, Randy Wong, Phil Jackson, Paul Connors and Ray Charette founded the program. Since that time it has grown into a vital and competitive program whose mission is to promote, arrange, plan and provide lacrosse games and clinics for the youth in the Town of Holden and surrounding areas.
Classic Program Overview
The program is open to boys who live or attend school in the five towns of the Wachusett Regional District and are in grades 1-8. The program is built around participation in the Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League.
Q: What are the age groups?
A: Our league uses a grade-based system. There are four age groups: U9 (Grades 1 & 2); U11 (Grades 3 & 4); U13 (Grades 5 & 6); U15 (Grades 7 & 8). Secondarily your son must be under 15,13,11 and 9 respectively as of August 31st prior to the start of the season to participate in these grade-based programs.
Q: Can my son play outside of his age group?
A: A waiver is required to allow children to play outside of his age group. Please let us know if your child has developmental, emotional or other physical characteristics for which it would be best that he plays below his prescribed age group. Since the recreational program is designed for boys to play with their friends and peers we are not allowing players to play up. Players with the talent and committed to play at a higher level may choose to participate in our "select" program.
Q: When is the season?
A: Indoor practice sessions start in late February or March. The outdoor season begins at the beginning of April or when the town fields are open. Games begin in early April for the 3 older age groups. The younger boys’ games start a few weeks after the older boys to give them more practice time. Season ends with a league-wide jamboree in Devens around the 3rd week of June.
Q: Whom do we play?
A: U 9 (Grades 1 & 2) will play a 6 game schedule. The older 3 groups will play an 8 game schedule. All of our teams are "travel teams" in that we play other towns both home and away. Home games are played at Mayo School in Holden. Away games are typically 30-45 minutes away. See MBYLL (www.MBYLL.org) for more information on this league.
Q: When are the practices?
A: Practice times will be announced closer to the season. In past seasons, the practice times were as follows: In the late winter, there will be 3 or 4 total practices at one of the Wachusett school gyms. Outdoor practices begin once the town has opened the fields. Typically there will be one practice per week for each age group. Each age group practices together on the same night. There can be an additional practice per team based on coach’s discretion. Group practices are usually held in the late afternoon or early evening during the week, while team practices are typically on Saturday morning. Players are expected to attend practices or their playing time during games may be limited.
Q: When are the games?
A: MBYLL games will be played on Sundays, anywhere from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm. There may also be a few optional weeknight games later in the season that would be organized and scheduled at the individual coach’s discretion. A regular schedule typically consists of 4 home games and 4 away games. Games typically last between 75-90 minutes and players are often asked to be at the field 30 before game time.
Registration
Q: When is registration?
A: Registration for the spring season typically opens in early November.
Q: Why is registration in the fall for the spring season?
A: While it seems early, there are a number of items that must be completed in late fall and early January including team submission to the leagues, uniform ordering, booking indoor practice time and coordinating field time with the town.
Q: How do I register?
A: Registration is done on-line. When registration is underway, there will be a "Register Online" button on the left menu of our website.
Q: How much does it cost to play?
A: For 2017, the Wachusett Boys Youth Lacrosse (in the MBYLL) registration fee for spring lacrosse will be $150.00 for U11, U13 and U15 players. The registration fee for U9 players will be $115.00. A family discount is available to anyone with three or more boys enrolled in our program.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Registration fee is:
100% refundable prior to first practice
50% refundable prior to first game
0% refundable thereafter.
Q: Is financial assistance available?
A: Yes. We believe that no child should be denied the chance to play due to financial reasons. To request a registration fee waiver, please contact the Boy's Program Treasurer - Randy Wong at
Q: What is US Lacrosse and why do we join?
A: During registration, players will be automatically registered with US Lacrosse. US Lacrosse is a national organization that strives to provide programs and services to inspire lacrosse participation, while protecting the integrity of the game. More importantly, through the fees we pay, US Lacrosse members receive Accident and Liability insurance coverage. All of our players must be US Lacrosse members for the program and participants to be covered. Memberships are 1 year in length, are paid directly to US Lacrosse and are non-refundable. Note that many camps and clubs also require a membership so it is useful to keep your number where you can find it again.
Uniforms and Equipment
Q: How do I get uniforms?
A: New players are required to purchase a complete uniform (shorts and reversible top). Players can use them for multiple seasons until they no longer fit or wear out. All players will be able to order new or replacement pieces during the registration process
Q: What equipment is needed?
A: Boys are required to have the following lacrosse specific equipment (no hockey or football equipment):
- Stick
- Lacrosse Helmet (NOCSAE approved) & attached mouth guard
- Shoulder Pads
- Arm Pads
- Gloves (Hockey gloves do not flex properly for lacrosse)
- Athletic supporter with protective cup
- Rib pads are strongly recommended!
- Rubber Sole cleats (soccer cleats are fine)
Q: Where can I buy equipment?
A: There are many places that sell equipment, some offer a discounted "starter packages."
- ComLax in Marlboro
- Dick’s Sporting Goods in Worcester,
- Play It Again Sports in Leominster
- Kleen N Hard Sports in Worcester
- The “Exchange” tab of our website may feature items offered by members of our organization.
MBYLL League Information
Q: What is MBYLL?
A: The Wachusett Boys Lacrosse program plays in the West Central division of the Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League (MBYLL). Our schedule and rules are set by the MBYLL based on recommendations from US Lacrosse. The league also organizes a year-end Jamboree.
Q: Why is the MBYLL philosophy unique and different from many youth sports?
A: MBYLL is considered an “instructional” league. There are no standings kept, no league championship or playoffs. Currently, all teams from each town are equal in skill (no A team, B team). The goals are teaching the sport and providing a rewarding experience for all involved. To learn more go to www.MBYLL.org.
Q: What other towns do we play?
A: Our division generally covers Central Mass teams like Shrewsbury, Grafton, Sturbridge, Leominster Northborough/Southborough but can extend as far as Framingham, Natick or Weston.
MBYLL Select Program
MBYLL Select is a competitive league for the U13 and U15 age groups. It is structured to provide an additional program that is complementary to the regular MBYLL schedule.
Q: How is MBYLL Select different than MBYLL?
A: The MBYLL league was built to grow the sport of lacrosse in Massachusetts. Within MBYLL, there is no standing or playoffs and player skills are divided evenly among teams to foster growth and learning in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. MBYLL Select is a league for those players that are more committed to the sport of lacrosse in the spring and who want to play at a higher level.
Q: What is the attendance policy?
A: MBYLL players are expected to be committed to lacrosse in the spring season meaning they will choose lacrosse over other activities. Outside of family and school commitments, MBYLL Select players are expected to attend lacrosse practices and games for both their MBYLL regular and MBYLL Select teams. Not living up to this expectation will impact game playing time. Please consider this carefully before committing to the MBYLL Select program.
Q: Can I play MBYLL Select and not play MBYLL?
A: No. MBYLL Select is an add-on league and is not meant to be an alternative to MBYLL. League rules state that playing in MBYLL Select is contingent on playing for the regular MBYLL league.
Q: How are teams selected?
A: Players are selected via an evaluation process that occurs prior to the season. Selections also take into consideration prior season's ratings and prior season's attendance.
Q: When is the season?
A: The season runs from April through May or June depending on playoff participation.
Q: When are practices?
A: Expect an additional practice commitment for MBYLL Select players. It will likely be a combination of extensions after normal practices and some dedicated sessions.
Q: When and where are the games played?
A: Games are played both home and away, on Friday nights though there may be occasional Saturday afternoon game. Start times are generally 6PM but may vary for certain locations. Opponents extend beyond the typical MBYLL Classic programs and may include a greater travel commitment.
Q: What is the MBYLL Select playing time policy?
A: While all players with a good attendance record will have reasonable playing time, equal playing time is not guaranteed.
Q: How much does MBYLL Select cost?
A: The registration fee is between $100-125 per player.
Q: What about uniforms?
A: We use our standard Wachusett Youth Lacrosse uniforms.
The Game of Lacrosse:
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the sport of lacrosse?
The sport of lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey. Anyone can play lacrosse--the big or the small. The game requires and rewards coordination and agility, not brawn. Quickness and speed are two highly prized qualities in lacrosse. An exhilarating sport, lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action. Lacrosse is played with a stick, the crosse, which must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.
Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. Youth participation in the sport has grown over 138% since 2001 to nearly 300,000. No sport has grown faster at the high school level over the last 10 years and there are now an estimated 228,000 high school players. Lacrosse is also the fastest-growing sport over the last six years at the NCAA level with 557 college teams in 2009, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are more than 500 college club programs, including nearly 200 women's teams that compete at the US Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates level. To learn more go to www.uslacrosse.org
