1. NSYLA Information Night
Spring 2018 Season
November 1st, :00PM – 8:00PM
Northborough Library

2. Start with the End
To be successful, you need to know where you want to end up
What will our program goals be?
Teach the boys how to play the game of lacrosse
Learn to respect and honor the game
Most importantly, have FUN

3. History of NSYLA Founded in 1999 160 Boy’s played in 2017
We will field teams
40+ Coaches
60+ Volunteers
History
Financial Status
Metrics and the League
Rules & Expectations
Volunteers – the Backbone of our Success
Website
Cannons and the Jamboree
Questions

4. Mass Bay Youth Lacrosse League in 2017
• 6 Regions
• 160+ Towns in MA
• 950+ Boys Teams
• 1,700 Coaches Trained
• 19,000 Players 1st - 8th
• Local Game Schedule
• Town Travel + Select Lax
• 4-day June Jamboree
• 7,600+ Spring Games
• Non-Profit 501(c)(3)
25th Anniversary Season
Certified Coaches • Team Players • Fun Experience

5. MetroWest Region

6. Metrics
See the FAQ on our website for a list of what your registration fees cover
Practice nights/hours
Decals and names on helmets
Uniforms are purchased by you at Brine’s Sporting Goods in Sudbury
Reversible Game Jersey with a unique number assigned, Game Shorts & a Shooter Shirt

7. Expectations – of the Coaches
That each team has kids at the older levels; at the younger levels
That the kids have fun!
That the policy for missing a practice will be known and applied fairly

8. Expectations – of the Boys
They will be on time in full gear
They will listen
They will try
They will have fun
School comes first
It is a TEAM sport
They will wear ALL protective equipment
They will bring water to EVERY practice
They will not litter
ABAG (Always Be A Gentleman!)
Young Boys need to know three things:
1- Who is in charge
2- What are the rules
3- Will the rules be enforced and enforced equally?

9. Equipment Questions Do they have all their gear?
What stores do we recommend?
What do they need?
It’s not the arrow, it’s the Indian!

10. What does a real game look like?
In college the ball stays in the air a lot more
Catch a game on ESPNU or go to one locally, Holy Cross, Harvard, UMass, Boston University, Brown, Bentley, Nichols etc.
NSYLA Alums - We have 10 collegiate players and 2 coaches in college right now
We have produced
3 Academic All Americans
plus 14 regular All Americans

12. What are the Rules of Lacrosse
Which levels have body checking?
Can I really hit people with my stick?

13. Expectations – of the Parents
Get the boys there on time, ready to start in full gear
If a boy is sick, keep him in bed, but let us know
School comes first
You will use our website
If you want to talk with a coach, do so after practice (unless it is practice related)
Observe the 24 hour rule
Help us control parking

15. When & How do we make the Teams?
We split the teams evenly, no A and B levels
To do this we need 2-3 weeks to quickly evaluate the players
We then balance the teams by grade, by town, by skill, by size etc.
We balance the teams so well that we are routinely asked to explain to other towns, other states, and other sports how to do it.

16. Can I request to be with a specific coach or friend?
NO!
Balancing the teams is paramount
We practice all season together, so ride shares or car pools are not an issue

17. Team Building & Things that can add a Special Touch
Native American Lacrosse folklore
Roots of the game cultural & spiritual
Parent/Son Game etc.
High School BBQ to welcome the 8th graders
Indian Lacrosse
Going to water
Native American Lacrosse folklore
Roots of the game cultural & spiritual
Father Son Game
College and Pro Games -Boston Cannons
Northborough-Southborough Night at the Cannons

18. Algonquin -Central Mass State Champs 2 straight years!

19. U13 Team - State Champions Division 1 Select!

20. Spiritwear
We have Jackets, shorts, shirts, hats, socks, eyeblack, chairs and lots more
Everything we sell goes to support our direct program costs
The store is on the website – great for holiday shopping!

21. Financial Status Major costs: Rec Dept Fees to BOTH towns
911 Field fee’s
St. Mark’s field fee’s
Referees
Insurance
MBYLL league fees
Jamboree fee
Equipment (Nets; Goalie gear; Balls)
We work very hard to keep costs down so that it is never a barrier to play.

22. Volunteers The Backbone of our Success!
Team Parents (many needed, at least 3 per age group)
Game Day Assistance (many needed)
Game and penalty clocks at home games
Game Statistics
Parking lot direction at home games
Picture Day Coordinator and a Volunteer from each team
Raffle Ticket Sales
Cannons Night coordinator
End of Season Pizza Party

23. MBYLL Select
MBYLL will sponsor an overarching Select offering. This is the 7th year
Last year 115 teams were in this division
MBYLL Philosophy is paramount
14U and 12U only
Complementary to
our Travel Teams
Our Town Travel teams have two practices plus one game each week. There is a total of 11 games played.
For the player who wants a higher level and is a bit more serious about lacrosse there is the Select Division. It is important to note that in order to be eligible to play on the Select team a boy must play and practice with his town travel team. Missing his town game or a practice results in his missing that week’s Select game.
This is vitally important to develop all of the players, but most importantly it trains the Select players better as well.
The Select players will have one practice and one game each week, meaning they will have 3 practices and 2 games each week. Net of that is 5 days vs. 3 of lacrosse each week.

24. Website www.nsyla.org Take pictures, and send them to the webmaster
No child will be identified by name in any posted pictures!
Swap Shop Exchange
Utilize this resource to buy or sell equipment

25. 15th Annual Northborough-Southborough Night at the Cannons
Join us in May or June 2018

26. Very Special Event We go to a Cannons game as an entire program
And our U11’s get to play in the Stadium
If you buy your tickets now you save $10 each

28. NCAA Championships
Memorial Day weekend

30. Wrapping up the Season: “Just Let the Kids Play” philosophy
No trophies, just pizza and cake
Questions?

31. Northborough-Southborough
Boy’s Youth Lacrosse
Sign-ups