HRLax Season Information
The Hampton Roads Chapter of US Lacrosse (HRLax) sponsors a Spring recreational league for boys and girls in our region. During the 2013 season, HRLax had 58 teams and 1100 players participate. This program includes over 50 certified officials and 120 coaches along with countless volunteers for special events, booster clubs & team parents. The program is subdivided into a Peninsula Division and a Southside Division. Each division consists of Areas that are defined within city or county boundaries.
History of HRLax
Lacrosse expanded from its private school origins to grab a wider foothold throughout the Hampton Roads area of Virginia in the late 1980s. The local youth league is affiliated with the Lacrosse Foundation and the United States Women’s Lacrosse Association. As player interest grew, HRLax solidified as the driving force behind local lacrosse and traces its recent pedigree to 1995. When the men’s and women’s national groups merged to form US Lacrosse in 1998, HRLax League Leadership founded the Tidewater Chapter of US Lacrosse. For years, the Tidewater Chapter oversaw the administration of the HRLax League. The HRlax League has provided and encouraged local lacrosse playing opportunities for the entire Hampton Roads area of South Eastern Virginia stretching from Virginia Beach to Suffolk, and Williamsburg to the Outer Banks.
The early years saw boy’s recreation teams from Virginia Beach and Norfolk playing on Saturdays with initial expansion into Suffolk and Newport News. A fledgling public High School boy’s program started at four local schools: Menchville, Maury, Cox, and First Colonial. Crossing into the new decade, the girl’s recreation and public HS programs followed this established path, and HRLax saw expansion teams for both boys and girls form in Williamsburg, Yorktown, Chesapeake, and the Outer Banks. During the mid-2000s, the league experienced explosive growth to reach today’s levels; the league’s five divisions encompass more than 2,000 players, 150 youth teams (boys & girls), and 38 public high school teams (boys & girls, varsity & JV).
Dates of Play
The season will begin with Opening Day on or around March 9 and will end with playoffs on or around May 11th.
Registration will open on November 1st:
- Normal registration: December 1 – January 22;
- Late registration: January 16 – February 10;
- Registration closes at midnight on February 10 – (please note that some area registrations will close earlier once full)
Note: Prospective advanced team players are encouraged to register early to ensure notification of tryout dates and times for their Areas.
US Lacrosse membership through the entire season is required and will be validated at the time you register. You may pay for your US Lacrosse membership or renewal through our registration process or directly with USA Lacrosse at www.usalacrosse.com.
Age Grouping Quick Reference Table
Boys Youth League age groups are currently as follows (but are subject to change):
| Birthdate | Age Bracket |
|---|---|
| Born on or after 9/1/ | U14 |
| Born on or after 9/1/ | U12 |
| Born on or after 9/1/ | U10 |
| Born on or after 9/1/ | U8 |
Players may apply for a waiver to “play up” one “birth year” if they are experienced and meet maturity and size requirements as determined by the Commissioner. “Play down” will not be permitted.
U10, U12 & U14 age groups are divided into Advanced and Recreational formats. Tryouts and/or coach selection are involved for Advanced teams.
Registration fee assistance is available for families who are unable to afford the league fee.
Our region extends from Williamsburg to Chesapeake … and Virginia Beach to Suffolk and all points in between.
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