Discover how to:

✓ Understand the “Ux” naming convention

✓ Register your child in the right program

✓ Know the difference between field and box

“What do they mean when they talk about U7 and U17?”

✓ Age Groups Explained

Lacrosse, like many other sports, has implemented the “Ux” naming convention. We know this can be confusing at times for new parents.

“U” stands for Under and the number is the age your child cannot be to play in that division—make sense?   

That means that a U7 program is for players who have not and will not turn 7-years-old in the current playing year. 

Ontario Lacrosse uses the odd number naming convention and age divisions are grouped into 2-year increments all the way up through minor, so in box we start at U5, then U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17.

Players are not allowed to play down at younger levels and require “exceptional status” to play in a higher level age division unless they are called up.

The Mimico Lacrosse age chart determines the divisions and programs your child will have the opportunity to play and participate in this season. The age chart will also help you better understand what we like to call the Mountaineer Pathway, as it outlines the next levels of programming available to you as a member of our club.

“What the heck is box and field lacrosse?”

We get it—lacrosse is a little confusing. The sport is divided into three sectors, well, four if you include Sixes (the new Olympic version of the sport) but we’ll get to that later. The main sectors are Box Lacrosse, Field Lacrosse and Women’s Field Lacrosse and each has their own set of rules.

✓ 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.

✓ Field Lacrosse

Field lacrosse is the outdoor version of lacrosse and the fastest growing game in North America.

There are 10 players on the field; 3 attack, 3 midfielders, 3 defence and a goalie. Substitutions are done on the fly, mostly for the midfielders, who play the entire length of the field. The attack will generally remain on the offensive half of the field while the defense (long poles) will remain on the defensive half. Players may exchange positions as long as another player remains in the area as a temporary replacement.

✓ Women’s Field Lacrosse

Women's Field Lacrosse is another outdoor version of the sport for women.

It was introduced in 1890 in St Andrews, Scotland. The women’s game is played with twelve players on each team and the rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from Men's Field Lacrosse. There is no body contact. Equipment required to play is also different. The stick has a shallow pocket and is checked before every game and after every goal for conformity to the rules. Women are only required to wear a mouthguard, and protective goggles.

“Ok… so does it matter which one we register for?”

We’re glad you asked.

We recommend that all new players register for Box Lacrosse which includes our Peanut program, 3-on-3, and Local Leagues.

Given that it’s played inside of a rink with boards similar to hockey, playing Box Lacrosse increases the game pace and maximizes participation and development opportunities for all players. It allows for more touches with the ball and keeps kids moving and engaged while learning to play lacrosse.

Field opportunities for boys are introduced at U9. While Women’s Field Lacrosse opportunities are introduced to girls at early ages, we encourage girls to play both, as the best Women’s Field Lacrosse players also play Box Lacrosse and our programs compliment each other very well!

New: Mimico Lacrosse now offers 3-on-3 Box Lacrosse just for girls.

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

Rep

/rep/

“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. Mimico offers Rep programs in Box Lacrosse, Field Lacrosse, and Women’s Field Lacrosse. Players must be residentially bound to the club to play Rep.

In age divisions where there are enough players interested in Rep, a development team (2 team) is also established. 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 while Rep Field and Women’s Field are introduced at U9 and U11 respectively.

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

Rep team tryouts are typically held in March and April. Players must be registered for a Rep program to tryout. Players that do not make a Rep team will be refunded in full, however we strive to ensure that all players wishing to play Rep have the opportunity to do so.

It's never too late to get into rep lacrosse! You will meet like-minded families and give your child the experience of a lifetime while they stay active, learn valuable life lessons and become part of an amazing lacrosse community. Worried about experience? The most successful players are often those who are eager to try something new and want to be part of a great team! 

Local Requirement for U7 and U9

U7 and U9 players must also play locally in the U7 3-on-3 program on Saturday mornings and U9 Local League on Tuesday nights. Players interested in the U7 Rep team can declare interest here.

Now that you’re a Mimico Lacrosse expert, let’s get you signed up!

Here are some more FAQs

  • The registration fees payable to the club cover a number of administrative expenses, including but not limited to: uniforms, floor and field permits for tryouts, practices and games, Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) team and provincial entry fees, equipment, coaching certification, referees and timekeepers, iPad rental for Game Sheet Inc., insurance and the Lacrosse Canada (LC) member fees per player.

  • The Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club Refund Policy applies to registration fees paid directly to the Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club.

    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.

    Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club 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 in writing or email to the Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club Registrar by the individual who paid the fee(s).

    An administrative fee will be charged on approved refunds. The Administration Fee will be set annually by Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club to reflect deductions at source that are not received by the club as part of the registration payment (Insurance, OLA Registration Fees, etc.) and that are not refunded to the club by the OLA.

    The amount of any refund, including special or extenuating circumstances, is at the discretion of the Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club Board of Directors.

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

    Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club 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.

  • No. For insurance purposes, all players must be registered to attend tryouts. Players that do not make a rep team will be refunded.

  • Prior to submitting a release request, the player must be registered and paid with their resident OLA association for the current year.

    The OLA “Release Request Form” for the current year must be used in all cases where a player wishes to be released from his/her current lacrosse association in order to sign and play for another association.

    The player, the parent or the guardian must complete all fields in Section 1 of the form and send it to the President of the association from which the release is requested.

    Only the information presented in Section 1 will be considered; new reasons for a release will not be entertained should the association’s decision be appealed at any other level.

    The association must respond to the applicant within 72 hours to acknowledge receipt of the request for a release. Within a reasonable time, the association is responsible for setting a date, time and location for when a release hearing will be held so that the applicant may be present to formally discuss the request.

    There may be a fee for a release hearing at the association level.

    Following the hearing, the association must complete Section 2 of the form with written reasons for granting or denying the request and provide the applicant with the information necessary to appeal to the Zone, should the applicant qualify to do so under the OLA Appeal’s Process. The reasons for submitting an appeal at any level are outlined in OLA Rules and Regulations 11.3(d).