by posted 01/21/2012
 
Registration for spring youth lacrosse will be hlrd at Courtside Sports in Harwinton on Sunday January 29^th from 12:30PM – 6PM.  Registration is open to boys and girls currently in grades K-8 and no experience is necessary to play.  The registration form and announcement, which includes information on fees, can be found under the documents tab.

Please take a few minutes to read through the detail below as it contains everything you need to know about registration and the upcoming season.   

1. Everyone who registers by January 29^th is guaranteed a spot on a team.  After registration on the 29^th we will determine how many teams to field at each level and communicate that to our parent leagues (CVYL and CVGYL) so they can begin the scheduling process.  Once we declare our teams we cannot change our submission which is why it is so important that we have an accurate count of players. 
2. If you will be out of town on the 29^th, please mail your registration form and check made payable to BYLA to me at:  
    
   BYLA c/o Rick Keegan
   47 Warren Glen
   Burlington, CT  06013
    
   Anyone registering by mail should get their registration to me this week so I have it before the 29^th.  Registrations after January 29^th may not be accepted (see below) and will be subject to a late fee.       
    


3. Depending on how things fall we may or may not take additional registrations after the 29th and I want to make sure everyone understands why.  If for example we have 25 players for an age group we would declare one team.  This would be a very large roster, but too little for a second team.  If after we declare a single team we continue to add to that roster and it becomes say 30, you have a situation where it is very difficult for the coaches to manage an effective practice, spend time developing individual player skills, and create playing time for the kids during games.  This impacts the experience for all players in a less than positive way which is why we would not add to an already oversized roster in situations like this. If we do accept registrations after January 29^th they will be subject to a $25 late fee.    
    


4. In the event we do field multiple teams at any level, the coaches will collectively determine the best way to distribute the players to each squad.  League rules may dictate that our squads play at different competitive levels, which we would need to take in to account when forming the teams.  We would also consider other factors such as the number of players at each position and which squad would best position each player for growth and development.   


5. No experience is necessary to play.  We have players of varying skill level on every squad and welcome many new players each season.  We enjoy a mix of experienced and developing players and believe it creates an excellent environment for the players to support each other and learn the importance of teamwork.  Our player return rate is 99% (all in, including players that move away); something our program and coaches are extremely proud of.  


6.  We have reduced our registration fees by approx. 20% across the board this season.   We are very pleased to have accomplished this thanks in large part to the success of our uniform return program over the last 2 seasons.  This has lowered our costs and eliminated a lot of unnecessary spending and waste each season.   The registration fees are outlined on the registration announcement which can be found under the documents tab.  As always, registration fees include all costs for indoor practice time, tournament fees and referee fees. 
    
   We will do a couple of things differently with respect to uniforms this season to ensure we can continue to operate efficiently.   The uniform return policy will continue unchanged.  All girls players will be issued a game kilt and jersey and all boys players a game jersey at the beginning of the season.  The uniforms should be worn for games only (not practices) to minimize wear and tear.  All players will then return their game uniforms at the end of the season. 
    
   What is changing is how we handle boys’ shorts and practice reversibles for both boys and girls.  We will no longer distribute game shorts for boys’ players.  In the past we issued new shorts every season which the players kept (and accumulated year after year) at a cost north of $2,000.   For the many that already have, you will not need to purchase new shorts.  Instructional and bantam players will not be required to have matching game shorts.  We ask only that they wear black shorts so the players do for the most part match on the field.  Players with game shorts for past seasons can of course wear them.  For junior and senior boys you will need matching uniform shorts.  If you have from past seasons you are good to go.  Anyone who needs to purchase game shorts will be able to for $15 (our cost – no markup).  You then own the shorts which can then be used and handed down for many seasons.  Note that if you are buying shorts, the cost of registration plus the cost of shorts is still less than what the base registration fee was last season.  While bantam and instructional players are not required to have the uniform shorts, you are welcome to purchase them if you wish.  You will pay for your shorts right a registration and they will be distributed during the spring indoor sessions late March.
    
   As for reversibles, many players already have game reversibles (most have 3 or 4).  Instead of purchasing 200+ reversibles every season and distributing to all players, we will buy a reduced amount and ask that only players who need one take one.
    


7. Our season will start with indoor practices at Courtside sports on Sunday March 25^th (times TBD).    We hope to get outside on the fields sometime in mid-April. 


8. The official season will run through the June 10^th.  Playoffs for junior and senior boys are June 9^th (semi-finals) and June 10^th (finals).  There are no playoff games at any other level.  Some make up games are possible the following week and our season will formally conclude no later than June 17^th.  


9. Home games and practices are generally held at Malerbo Field, Lewis Mills High School and Harwinton Field.  Our final practice and game schedule will not be set until late March.  Away games are generally in surrounding towns (Avon, Canton, Simsbury, etc.), but may also involve some longer travel (Granby, Southington, etc.).  We will do our best to balance our game schedule, but it is likely we will play more away games than home games due to field space limitations.  


10. Each team will participate in a minimum of one tournaments (most will do 2).  The tournament schedule will be available in late March.  Tournament fees are included in your registration fee.


11. Full equipment is required for participation at all levels.  For those who were issued loaner equipment for the indoor winter sessions you can continue to use if for the spring season.   Anyone who was issued equipment who is not playing in the spring must return it on the final week of indoor practice (or sooner if you will not make the final session).  Any available loaner equipment will be re-issued to spring players on a first come, first serve basis.  Equipment consists of the following:

Boys:  Helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, mouth-piece, stick and cup.
Girls:  Eye-protection, colored mouth-piece and girls stick.
 
 
 
Hopefully this covers most, if not all you need to know for registration and the upcoming season.  As always, please e-mail me anytime at if you have any questions.    

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by posted 01/02/2012
 
Happy New Year!  Winter Lax resumes on Sunday January 8th and will run through Sunday February 26, 2012. 

As a reminder, session times and general information is below:

Schedule:

Girls:  
Juniors:  Grades 5 & 6:  11:30 - 12:30
Seniors:  Grades 7 & 8:  12:30 - 1:30
High School: Grades 9 through 12:  1:30 - 3:00
Bantams:  Grades K-4:  3:00 - 4:00
 
Boys:
Bantams: Grades K-4:  4:00 - 5:00
Juniors:  Grades 5 & 6: 5:00 - 6:00
Seniors:  Grades 7 & 8: 6:00 - 7:00
High School:  Grades 9 through 12:  7:00 - 8:30

Other important reminders:  
 
Footwear:  Indoor turf shoes or regular athletic gym sneakers must be worn and tied!  No cleats, non-athletic sneakers, shoes, etc.        

Equipment:  Full equipment is required for participation.  All equipment is the responsibility of the player.  Equipment consists of:

Boys:  Helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, mouth-piece, stick and cup.
Girls:  Eye-protection, colored mouth-piece and girls stick.
No player will be permitted to participate without the proper equipment including a mouth-piece. 

Please note that the coaches have no discretionary authority here.  This is league policy and is for the safety of the players.  Any player who does not have the proper gear including a mouth-piece will not be permitted to participate.   

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