2024 GRAA Boys & Girls Lacrosse Registration

The youth lacrosse program has traditionally been one of Glen Ridge’s strongest programs, introducing the game and providing many boys and girls with the skill set required to play in High School, at all levels of College and even a few professionally.  GRAA is pleased to offer the below programs this Spring:

CLINICS (PRE-K – 2ND GRADE):

CLINIC 1 (PreK-K):

Clinic 1 is the perfect introduction to the game of lacrosse, focused on having fun and learning the game.  Evolution Lacrosse Club will run the clinic on Saturday mornings at Cody Field, April through May.  Lacrosse sticks will be provided and no other equipment is required. Parent volunteers are necessary to run an organized clinic (no lacrosse experience required). The GRAA registration fee is $200 ($150 with early bird pricing before 2/4/24).

CLINIC 2 (1st-2nd):

Clinic 2 will focus on fundamentals while introducing games against other teams within our town.  Evolution Lacrosse Club will run the clinic on Saturday mornings at Cody Field, April through May.  Only 2nd grade will have a few games against other towns. Parent volunteers are necessary to run an organized clinic (no lacrosse experience required).  Full equipment will be required. The GRAA registration fee is $200 ($150 with early bird pricing before 2/4/24).

Beginner Equipment Packages (including boys’ RED Cascade CPR-V youth helmets being introduced program wide) for NEW 1st or NEW 2nd grade players are shown in the Apparel Store and available for purchase at All Lacrosse.   We do not advise 2nd graders to  purchase new RED youth helmets unless you absolutely need a new one.

The Glen Ridge Lacrosse Apparel Store is open for all players and families

 

TRAVEL PROGRAMS (3RD-8TH GRADE):

All players MUST:

1. Register or renew membership with USA Lacrosse.

2. Register for GRAA Lacrosse.

3. Order NEW 2024 team jerseys (full uniform if new to the program).

ALL 3rd-7th grade players will be required to order NEW jerseys. (8th graders please await more info). The jerseys are reversible with your last name on it and can be potentially used for multiple seasons if you choose to size up. Returning players can use the same game shorts and shooter shirts (boys) or same game skort/shorts and socks(girls) from previous seasons.  New shooter shirts are optional for girls.  All NEW players will be required to purchase a complete uniform kit (jersey, shorts and shooting shirt – boys, jersey, skort/shorts and socks – girls).  Uniforms must be ordered no later than Sunday, February 4 to guarantee arrival for the start of the season!

GRADE 3 TRAVEL:

The 3rd Grade Travel Team is a step up from the clinic experience.  The focus is still on fundamentals, with games against other town teams.  Practice begins in March for boys and girls. According to league rules, boys games begin in March and girls games begin in April. The season ends in early June.  3rd grade will have roughly 20+ practices and play 10+ games.  The 3rd grade games are 7v7 and played sideline to sideline to encourage the players to get more touches on the ball.  The teams may have an opportunity to play a tournament within the season.  Everyone is required by the league to have a valid USA Lacrosse membership to play, NO exceptions. The USA Lacrosse fee is $50, enroll here:  https://www.usalacrosse.com/  The GRAA registration fee is $350. ($300 with early bird pricing before 2/4/24).

•Girls RED STX Youth Goggles will be special ordered and partially paid for through fundraising for 3rd grade.

•Boys RED Cascade CPR-V youth helmets are being introduced program wide.  However, metallic RED XRS Pro adult helmets will be available starting in 4th grade with the help of fundraising.  We do not advise 3rd graders to  purchase new RED youth helmets unless you absolutely need a new one.

Click here to order your uniform. Uniforms must be ordered no later than Sunday, February 4 to guarantee arrival for the start of the season!

GRADES 4-8 TRAVEL:

We continue to focus on the fundamentals as they grow older with more experienced coaching.  The boys & girls will practice 2-3 times per week, depending on the team and field availability.  Practice begins in March for boys and girls. According to league rules, boys games begin in March and girls games begin in April. The season ends in early June. Each team should have between 12 and 15 games and may have the opportunity to play in a tournament.  Everyone is required by the league to have a valid USA Lacrosse membership to play, NO exceptions. The USA Lacrosse fee is $50 and the link is available here: https://www.usalacrosse.com/  The GRAA registration fee is $350. ($300 with early bird pricing before 2/4/24).

•Girls’ RED STX Youth and Adult Goggles will be special ordered and partially paid for through fundraising for Grades 4-8.  

•Boys’ Metallic RED XRS Pro helmets will be special ordered and partially paid for through fundraising for Grades 4-6.

•8th grade Girls and Boys do NOT need to order new jerseys through the uniform store.  More information to follow shortly.

Click here to order your uniform –  Uniforms must be ordered no later than Sunday, February 4 to guarantee arrival for the start of the season!

Registration early bird pricing ends on Sunday, 02/04/24 After 02/04/24 the registration fee will increase by $50.

Philosophy

There are no cuts in GRAA Lacrosse.  Children develop differently and at different ages, so we believe it is important to welcome all players into our program.  If they are willing to put in the practice and hard work, they will find a way onto the field. The goal is to provide fair playing time for all players throughout the season, however, playing time will vary from game to game, quarter to quarter and depending on the situation. We do not believe in cuts to accommodate an optimal roster size.  As such, we allow our coaches to schedule additional “JV” games should they have more than 19 players on their roster to ensure ample playing time for all players. Our coaches are volunteer parents who have mostly played in high school and often at high levels of NCAA Lacrosse. All coaches are required to have USA Lacrosse (the governing body of lacrosse in the US) training and certification.

Equipment Requirements: 

Boys(grades 1-8): Stick, helmet, mouthguard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, athletic cup, cleats.

The boys’ league requires everyone in grades 3-8 to have the new shoulder pads that meet NOCSAE ND200 and SEI CERTIFIED (https://www.usalacrosse.com/lacrosse-chest-protector-faq). You will NOT be able to play if your pads are not compliant.

Girls (grades 2-8): Stick, mouth guard, goggles, cleats.

The investment for lacrosse equipment is significant.  If you are unfamiliar with the game or unsure if your child will enjoy it, please email the GRAA so we can try to match you up with used equipment before making an  investment.  We don’t want this to be a barrier for anyone to try the sport.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE ON THE FIELDS THIS SPRING!  WE ARE GR!