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• 2009 Needham Boys Youth Lacrosse Registration
   Needham Boys Youth Lacrosse 2009 Registration   Welcome...
• Sportsmanship for Parents
  Youth Lacrosse - A Parents' Code As a parent,...

Welcome to the 2009 season for Boys Youth Lacrosse!  In 2008 we had the largest participation ever, with our town program supporting 10 teams in the MBYLL and, for the first time ever, we entered 3 select grade level Tournament Teams in the Town Pride League (TPL).

For 2009 we will look to expand both our MBYLL town program as well as our select Tournament Team entries in the TPL.  For the MBYLL we expect to add a U9 (1^st and 2^nd grade) program, while for the TPL we will add 4^th and 5^th grade select teams to last years 6^th, 7^th and 8th grade entries. 

 ALL REGISTRATION WILL BE ON LINE

Pre-Registration for Returning Players

As always, our program allows returning players the opportunity to register for the upcoming season prior to open registration.  To guarantee your spot in the spring a completed registration form and payment must be returned during the pre-registration period, which runs from 10/19/08 thru 10/31/08.

Open Registration

Open Registration will begin Thursday November 6^th . Last season saw an explosion in popularity of the program, resulting in a waiting list at some levels, so if you are a returning player make sure you return all registration material on time!  Open registration will be done on a first come first served basis.

Web Site Simplifies Registration Process

This year the registration process for all players will be done 100% on line.  You are able to get all required registration information from our web site, as well as pay on line with your credit card.  Simply go to www.needhamlacrosse.com, click “Boys Lacrosse” and then “Registration” and follow the directions to fill out required forms and pay.  You may also mail back forms with a check if you prefer. 

Equipment

Players must supply their own equipment, including stick, helmet (must be NOCSAE approved), gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, mouth guard and cleats.  There are links on the web site to local lacrosse equipment stores. 

Eligibility

There are no eligibility requirements to participate in the boy’s town lacrosse program which competes in the MBYLL.  All players are welcome, and all teams will travel.  We understand that some players will also be participating in other spring sports.  We do our best to minimize conflicts with other programs, and to that end we appreciate you letting us know in the appropriate place on the registration form if your son will be playing other sports, which may aid us in minimizing conflicts.  As always, and as required by the MBYLL, the objective for all teams within the same playing level (i.e. U15, U13, etc) will be parity.

The eligibility requirements to participate on a grade level, select tournament team which competes in the TPL are as follows:

*You must be registered for and play on a Needham town MBYLL team to participate in TPL.

*TPL teams are NOT for everyone.  This program allows more skilled players the opportunity to compete together against other similarly comprised teams from other towns. 

*For 2009 we will expect to have one TPL entry per grade for grades 4-8.

*Players for the 4^th and 5^th grade teams will be chosen in the early spring by coaches based on several criteria, one of which is the prior season’s coach evaluation.

*Players in the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade must try out for the grade level TPL team.  As previously published, tryouts are Sunday 10/19/08, as follows:

 Noon - 1:30 = 8^th grade

 1:30 - 3:00 = 7^th grade

 3:00 - 4:30 = 6^th grade

*There is a cost for TPL tryouts of $20 per player.  This cost helps defray the cost of field time and other expenses.

*If you want to try out for a TPL team but can not make the tryouts on 10/19 please contact Tom Snow at

Season

The season runs from April 1^st through mid June.  Practices for the MBYLL U11-U15 teams will be held twice a week with games on Sunday, about half of which will be away.  At the discretion of the head coach, players must attend at least one practice per week to play in that week’s game. Practice for the MBYLL U9  instructional teams will be held on Saturdays. For players chosen to also play TPL, we expect to have 1 practice and 1 game per week.

2009 Team Levels

Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse has established grade based team rules for each team level, which are as follows:

U9 –   1^st and 2^nd graders

U11 – 3^rd and 4^th graders

U13 – 5^th and 6^th graders

U15 – 7^th and 8^th graders   

Cost

The cost of playing in the town MBYLL program for U11 -U15 in 2009 is $175.  The cost of playing in the town MBYLL instructional U9 program is $100. This includes membership in US Lacrosse and accident insurance.  Please make your check payable to Needham Youth Lacrosse.  In extreme cases NYBL is open to inquiries about financial assistance if necessary.  There is a $200 late registration fee if you do not register on time.  Costs for those also participating in TPL will be separate and determined at a later date.

Volunteer Assistance

The boy’s lacrosse program is 100% dependent on volunteers.  You do not need to have prior lacrosse experience to help, but experience is obviously a plus.  Area’s in which we need help include Team Administrators, Head Coach and Assistant Coach as well as fundraising, program administration and help at Open Registration night.  If you are interested in volunteering your time to assist with our program please so indicate in the appropriate section of the registration form.

If you have any questions please check our web site at www.needhamlacrosse.com.  Most information regarding the program is included there, and you can also send specific questions to us via email from the site.

We look forward to a great season and to seeing your boys in the spring.

All the best

Chris Lynch

    

Youth Lacrosse - A Parents' Code

As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure that all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. With your help, young people can learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy.Best of all, they will have fun.

Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!

Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Become aware of this and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports activities.

Remember That Your Child Wants to Have Fun
Remember that your child is the one playing lacrosse, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team. Children play for the fun of playing.

Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.

Don't Be a Sideline Coach or Referee
Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth lacrosse experience a positive one. They need your support too. That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. As a volunteer organization, there's usually always an opportunity for you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!