Absolutely!

LMLA is committed and planning to play within the guidelines set out by:

• Provincial Health Orders (PHO)
• viasport
• British Columbia Lacrosse Association (BCLA)
• Lower Mainland Minor Lacrosse Commission (LMMLC)

Sessions started in March and with our RTP now approved by the TOL, we will be running at full capacity starting April 12.

It is our intention to be 100% game-ready this season. Under the current PHO, we will start with skills and drills at a three meter distance.

However, as soon as there are any changes to the PHO, we have solutions and strategies in place to progress:

1. Skills and drills at three meter distance (current)
2. Skills and drills with full contact
3. Scrimmages (within team)
4. In-house games (within association)
5. Cohort game (inter-association)

In order to participate after April 18, 2021 all players must submit payments for the full registration fee, or made other arrangements with our Treasurer.  Options to pay the 2nd installment include online via the invoice mailed to you, or etransfer sent to our Treasurer.  Please note that it can take up to 48 hours from when you send your payment to our Division Coordinators being notified and your player approved to participate.

There is an initial fee of $70 per player to register with the association. The $70 non-refundable payment covers basic costs for the association. This includes insurance, administrative fees (TeamSnap, website, COVID), and fees for BCLA and LMMLC. Your player must be registered to participate in any LMLA activities, including development. Late registration of $90 was in effect as of February 10, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

A second payment is required after the initial registration. This amount will depend on what division your player is registered in.

Our association has held the fees the same as last year, which is in line with other Lower Mainland Lacrosse Associations and youth sports.

What do our registration fees cover?

Initial registration fee covered:

• Insurance for players
• BCLA and LMMLC fees per player
• Admin fees (TeamSnap, website)
• COVID supplies (sanitizer, cleaning supplies, ball wash buckets and cleaner)

Second payment covers:

• Facility costs (including all floor time used to date)
• BCLA fees per coach for season registration
• Coaching certification course fees
• Equipment (balls, cones, goalie gear)
• Referee fees

Please note: team events, tournaments, etc. have always been covered separately from team fees.

While we are not currently scheduled to play games, our costs have not been greatly reduced. Due to COVID protocols, we have to restrict the number of individuals at a facility which results in us maintaining a larger amount of floor time. For example, in the past where we would schedule 2 Tyke teams on a floor for the same 1 hour slot, we now have to schedule each Tyke team/group their own slot. This is a significant component of the costs incurred this season.

We have been able to plan and work with our facility operators to schedule such that every player will have the opportunity to have multiple sessions in a week going forward.

In previous years, we have had an impressive amount of pre- season floor time, sessions and planning. This was in part covered by the fundraising that has been done by our association, whereas Player Registration Fees were put towards the regular season costs. The past year our fundraising revenue has seen a significant decrease due to COVID, and we do not have the same funds to draw upon.

Goalie and Family Discounts

Goalies that provide all of their own gear including goalie stick will receive a partial refund of their registration fees, upon written request to the Registrar. Child must be placed on a team as a goalie for this discount to apply.

Family Discount of 25% off all registrations is applied when one person registers 3 or more children living in the same household, all 3 or more children must start the regular season. You must apply to the Registrar for this discount, AFTER the season starts.

Only one discount per family.

Due to current PHO and BCLA guidelines, we have not scheduled any formal evaluations at this time.

Several factors will be considered when splitting the groups for skills and drills, including: experience, age, skill level, availability, and special requests.

However, these groups may be changed at any time as we move forward based on a re-evaluation of these same topics to ensure that the groupings are a good fit for all.

The primary focus will be to encourage all players to grow, develop and have fun during these uncertain times.

We will have formal evaluations before teams are formed.

The evaluation process is an integral part of the sport and is often a tough one for parents, players and coaches to go through. The information that is gathered may not be used to tier players from A-to-C; however, it is a learning process that benefits all and one that we see as being very important to all involved.

A specific number of head coaches, assistant coaches and helpers will be selected based on the number of players in each age group. The selection process for coaches is being re-evaluated and will include a review of past performance, past feedback, experience levels, etc.

All skills and drills practices will have at least one head coach and one assistant coach, both of which are required to have the appropriate level of certification and a current criminal record check.

Additional assistant coaches and approved helpers may also be used depending on the current PHO and BCLA requirements around the number of participants allowed in a facility.

Helpers may be parents or non-parents who have a criminal record check on file and have been asked to assist in particular situations without having any larger commitment to the group.

If you are interested in helping out, please complete a coach application.

While we are working with skills and drills, the coaches may change from session to session. This will be done with thought and consideration in an attempt to allow all players to work with all coaches in a positive environment.

Once we are able to form teams and prepare to play games, coaches will be assigned following similar practices as in the past.

Masks are required to be worn by players and accompanying parents/guardians upon exiting their vehicle. Even if they are wearing helmets, players must keep masks on until they enter the playing area/surface.

When a player’s mask is not in use, it can be kept on their wrist, in their clothing pocket or in a closed Ziploc attached to their water bottle. Masks cannot be left loose by water bottles/on the ground or handed to team personnel.

Due to the mask requirement, it is understood that helmets will be taken on/off as masks are removed/worn. Younger participants may require assistance with removing and securing helmets. Site Facility Managers, off floor staff and coaches are allowed to assist players with the removal and securing of player’s helmets.  Hand sanitizer should be used before touching a player’s helmet, and after.

All individuals participating in LMLA activities are expected to wear a mask at all times. This includes but is not limited to Coaches participating on floor or observing off floor, Trainers, LMLA Executives on site, Site Facility Manager, Coordinators, and Team/Group Manager.

The Site Facility Manager or Facility Operator has the authority to ask an individual to wear a mask or leave the premises if they choose not to.

Players actively participating in on floor activities are not expected to wear a mask.

The Mask Policy is in effect at all TOL and City of Langley facilities.

Supporting documents:

• TOL EOC Approved Lacrosse Activities - approved April 9, 2021 (First section under General)
• George Preston Recreation Centre COVID-19 Reopening Report (page 9; 2^nd bullet from top of page and 4^th bullet under Entrance)
• Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre COVID Reopening Report (page 9; 2nd bullet from top of page and 4th bullet under Entrance)