Boys 7/8

Please read ALL of the instructions below very carefully before registering your player for this program.

ALL PLAYERS registering in this Gig Harbor Lacrosse program MUST have a USA Lacrosse membership valid through June 30th of the year of the program in order to participate.

If your player is a new, or a returning player without a current USA Lacrosse membership good through the end of the season, you will be prompted to obtain or renew your player's membership during registration. Please ensure the personal information you share with USA Lacrosse matches exactly the personal information you share with Gig Harbor Lacrosse. For example, if your USA Lacrosse membership is under Samantha Smith and you attempt to register as Sam Smith with Gig Harbor Lacrosse, the system will not recognize the name and you will not be able to complete registration. Your player's date of birth and address must also match.

ALL BOYS registering in the Youth Boys program must live within the Gig Harbor High School catchment zone. Players who do not live within the Gig Harbor High School catchment zone are not allowed to register in this Gig Harbor Lacrosse program.

ALL PLAYERS (BOYS and GIRLS) are placed on teams based on their CURRENT SCHOOL GRADE (i.e. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th). Players who attempt to register for a team that does not match his/her current school grade run the risk of not being placed on a team.

Players placed on a WAITLIST will be added to an active roster as space allows, and must complete registration for the current school grade he/she is in. Attempting to register for another grade level WILL NOT increase the player's chance of being placed on a team and only serves to add additional work for the club's admin team. Players who attempt to register for a team that does not match his/her current school grade run the risk of not being placed on a team.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boys Grade 7/8 Program

1. What are the goals of the program this year?

The Boys 7/8 program is a competitive experience and offers a significantly higher level of play. Coaches will continue to provide each participant with the opportunity to become a better player, but each player is expected to have more fully developed stick skills and a more sophisticated understanding of the game in order to be successful. New players are welcome and encouraged to register.

Players will test their skills during weekly league games, primarily on Saturdays. Game schedules will be available in early March, but teams will likely play ten (10) games against other teams in the South Sound Youth League. The season will end with full team participation in an end of the year tournament. All 7/8 players are expected to play through the tournament.

2. Who will coach the program?

the head coach is a voluntary position. Parent volunteers will have the opportunity to support the team in roles such as head coach, assistant coach, sideline manager, timer, scorekeeper, and team parent.

3. Will players get equal playing time?

All players will receive playing time, but it may not be equal. The 7/8 program serves as a bridge between the developmental side of the youth program and the more competitive experience the players will face as they move into high school. The coaching staff, in accordance with GHLA philosophy, will inform players of the expectations required in order for each player to maximize his playing time. Factors including, but not limited to attendance at practices and team events, attitude both on and off the field, being coachable, effort, and respect for coaches and teammates are considered.  

4. When does the program begin and end?

The Boys 7/8 teams start practice in mid-February and run through the end of May (Memorial Day). Practice location is TBD. The Boys 7/8 teams typically practice 3 days per week. Players will be notified of the practice schedule as soon as it is available which is typically the first week of March.

Post Season Opportunity: There are sometimes opportunities for our teams to play in tournaments that take place after the end of our regular season. Coach and player availability are often, but not the only, determining factors. These opportunities require fees not covered by the GHLA registration.

5. What equipment do players need?

The following equipment is required of every player: lacrosse helmet, lacrosse stick (crosse), shoulder pads, elbow pads, and gloves. A mouth guard (cannot be white or clear) and athletic cup are also required. Cleats are optional (baseball cleats are not permitted). Players without required equipment will not be allowed to practice or participate in games. 

6. Do you have rental equipment available?

Players at the 7/8 level and above are responsible for providing their own equipment. There are a number of local options for buying lacrosse equipment (Big 5, Dick's Sporting Goods) and even more online options (www.sportstop.com, www.lacrossemonkey.com, www.lacrosse.com, etc.).

7. Are physicals required?

Physicals are not required at the 7/8 level.

8. Program Cost and Registration

The 7/8 registration fee is $350.00. There is also an additional fee of $79.99 to purchase the mandatory new player uniform kit for all new players. Additionally, every player MUST have a US Lacrosse number ($35 paid directly to US Lacrosse) in order to be eligible to register and participate in practice & games.