Lacrosse follows an age-based naming convention using "U" (Under) followed by an age number. This means:

• LACROSSE FOLLOWS AN AGE-BASED NAMING CONVENTION USING "U" (UNDER) FOLLOWED BY AN AGE NUMBER.  THIS MEANS: 

• U7 IS FOR PLAYERS WHO HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT TURN 7 DURING THE PLAYING YEAR

• ONTARIO LACROSSE USES ODD-NUMBERED AGE DIVISIONS: U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 AND U17

• PLAYERS CANNOT PLAY DOWN A DIVISION BUT MAY BE CALLED UP TO PLAY IN A HIGHER DIVISION.

What’s the difference between box lacrosse and field lacrosse?

We get it—lacrosse can be a little confusing to new families. The sport is divided into three sectors, four including Sixes (the new Olympic version of the sport). The main sectors are Box Lacrosse, Men’s Field Lacrosse and Women’s Field Lacrosse and each has their own set of rules. Understanding each one will help you choose the best program for your child

Box Lacrosse (Indoor)

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.

✅ Box lacrosse is recommended for all new players (boys and girls) due to its fast-paced nature and the high number of touches with the ball.

️ Box lacrosse begins in April. Local League wraps up in June, while Rep teams continue through the second week of August, competing for the provincial championships at the Ontario Lacrosse Festival.

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.

️ Field lacrosse begins in April. Teams compete in the Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League (OMFLL), with games running from the second week of April to the second week of May. U9, U11, and U13 divisions play on Saturdays, while U15 and U17 teams compete on Sundays, concluding with the provincial championships.

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.

️ Women's Field Lacrosse begins with indoor practices in April before moving outdoors in mid-May. Teams compete in the Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse League (OWFL), playing two games per weekend. The season runs from May to July, concluding with the provincial championships at the end of July. U9 and U11 play Sunday mornings, U13 on Sunday afternoons, U15 on Saturday mornings, and U19 on Saturday afternoons.

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

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. 

Box Lacrosse opportunities are introduced at U5. Field Lacrosse opportunities are introduced at U9. Women’s Field Lacrosse opportunities are introduced at U9.

While Women’s Field Lacrosse opportunities are also 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! 

The best players on Canada’s Women's Field National Team have Box Lacrosse backgrounds and credit it for their development in the field game.

“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. 

The Brampton Minor Lacrosse association offers Rep programs in Box Lacrosse, Field Lacrosse, Women’s Field Lacrosse and Sixes. 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 (Rep 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. 

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

Players must be registered for a house League or Rep program to try out. 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.