REGISTRATION FAQs

Lacrosse Registration for Beginners

Lacrosse can seem overwhelming for first-time players and parents, but we’re here to help! 

On this page, you will learn how to:

✔ Understand the “Ux” naming convention
✔ Register your child in the right program
✔ Know the difference between box and field lacrosse

What do they mean by U7 and U17?

Lacrosse follows an age-based naming convention using "U" (Under) followed by an age number. This means:

• U7 is for players who have not and will not turn 7 during the playing year.

• Ontario Lacrosse uses odd-numbered age divisions: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, and U17.

• Players cannot play down a division but may be called up to play in a higher division.

What Is Box lacrosse?

Box lacrosse is the indoor version of lacrosse. The game originated here in Canada, where it is the most popular version of the game. There are six players on the floor for each team (5 players and 1 goalie) and is traditionally played in an ice hockey rink once the ice has been removed.

Lacrosse is a fast physical game encompassing specific skills, agility, team work, physical conditioning, discipline, trust and respect. Contact is introduced in U9 Rep, but lacrosse is one of the safest sports with the fewest amount of youth injuries, ranking safer than hockey, soccer, football and basketball, despite the high pace and physical nature of the game.

✅ Box lacrosse is recommended for all new players (boys and girls) due to its fast-paced nature and the high number of touches with the ball.

🗓️ Box lacrosse begins in April and Rep teams play through the second week of August, competing for the provincial championships at the Ontario Lacrosse Festival.

What equipment is required to play?

Here are the guidelines for the equipment needed to play lacrosse in Ontario:

Box Lacrosse Equipment Guidelines 

“What’s Rep? Do we have to be asked to try out?”

“Rep” is short for “Representative”, Rep teams are the teams that represent the club in competitions with other clubs. It’s the highest calibre of lacrosse within the club. 

Norfolk Timberwolves offers Rep programs in Box Lacrosse. Players must be residentially bound to the club to play Rep.

Rep teams are rated annually from “A” to “E” and participate in league play and provincials under the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

Rep Box is introduced at U7. 

New players are always welcome (and encouraged) to try out for our Rep teams!

Do we have to live in Norfolk County to play?

Ontario Lacrosse has residential boundaries that require players to play Rep in the closest centre to their home address. Players don’t have to live in Norfolk County but they must be residentially bound to the club to play Rep. To learn where your closest centre is, complete the Where Do I Play? form on the Play Lacrosse website.

Important Note: This form is for new Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) members, not those signed as OLA players in previous years. Responses are reviewed manually, typically within 48 hours of receipt.

What is the club's refund policy?

The Simcoe Minor Lacrosse Refund Policy applies to registration fees paid directly to Simcoe Minor Lacrosse.

The principle behind our refund policy is to allow a reasonable period of time following registration for parents/players to withdraw, while still safeguarding the long-term financial stability of our programs.

Simcoe Minor Lacrosse Association (SMLA) commits to program expenditure based on registrations. The expenses are not recoverable to the program if/when a member withdraws.

All refund requests must be made by email to the Simcoe Minor Lacrosse Registrar by the individual who paid the fee(s). Requests received before the first floor time (team practice) will receive a full refund. Requests received after the first floor time but before May 15 will be issued a 50% refund (not including the administration fee). Any requests received after May 15 will not receive a refund.

An administrative fee will be charged on approved refunds. The Administration Fee will be set annually by Simcoe Minor Lacrosse to reflect deductions at source that are not received by the club as part of the registration payment that are not refunded to the club.

The amount of any refund, including special or extenuating circumstances, is at the discretion of the SMLA Board of Directors.

SMLA shall not be responsible for any monies paid directly to a team, team coach, or team official, and SMLA shall not entertain requests for any such refunds.

SMLA shall not be responsible for any monies raised and collected by teams through sponsorship or fundraising efforts and shall not entertain requests for any such refunds.

Can we try Lacrosse without registering?

No. For insurance purposes, all players must be registered to attend tryouts. However, we offer a Try It Free program for a wide range of age groups early in the year to give new players an opportunity to see if they like it. Registration is required for the Try It Free program.

Who is eligible for a Rep release? 

Prior to submitting a release request, the player must be registered and paid with their resident OLA association for the current year. Any player who has not registered with their resident association by the following dates will be ineligible for a representative (rep) release:

Box Lacrosse: 3rd Sunday in March 

If a club folds a team for which the player would have been eligible, the player will not be eligible for a release under MR2.08(b). 

A player may not apply for a release before these dates, and all players must be registered and OLA-approved for the current season prior to submitting a request. A player may only submit one representative release request per playing season, per sector. 

How do we request a release? 

1. Obtain & Complete the Form 

The current year’s OLA “Release Request Form” must be used for all requests to transfer to another association. The player, parent, or guardian must complete Section 1 of the form. 

The OLA “Release Request Form” will not be made available on the OLA website (ontariolacrosse.com) until the window for releases in the current year opens per MR3.01: 

Box Lacrosse: March 1st - April 15th 

1. Submit the Form 

The completed form must be sent to the President of the player's resident association. Only the information in Section 1 will be considered—new reasons cannot be added later if the request is appealed. 

1. Acknowledgment & Hearing 

The association must respond within 72 hours to confirm receipt. The association is responsible for scheduling a release hearing within a reasonable timeframe, allowing the player to discuss the request in person. A hearing fee may apply at the association level. 

1. Decision & Appeal Process 

After the hearing, the association must complete Section 2 of the form with written reasons for granting or denying the release. If denied, the player will be given information on how to appeal if eligible under the OLA Appeals Process. The grounds for appeal are outlined in OLA Rules and Regulations 11.3(d).