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Norwalk Lacrosse Association

Norwalk Lacrosse Association is a 501c3 teaching the kids of Norwalk the sport of lacrosse since 1970.  NLA is part of the Connecticut New York Youth Lacrosse Association (CONNY). 

The goal of NLA is to have a positive impact on each child that is a part of our program as well on the Norwalk community at large.  The NLA program looks to instill in our players self-confidence, teamwork, leadership, and empathy through the game of lacrosse.  Our coaches have all played at the college level and are passionate about creating an environment for the players so that they develop a similar love of the game.  All coaches go through the Positive Coaching Alliance training workshop and are USA Lacrosse certified.  

Norwalk Junior Lacrosse offers an age and level appropriate experience to every boy and girl. While primarily instructional at all levels, the balance between instruction and competitive emphasis shifts progressively so that graduates of the program have the skills, knowledge, and emotional discipline to play high school lacrosse, if they so choose. While a child who progresses through all levels of the Norwalk Junior Lacrosse program obviously has an advantage, many players who have entered the program as late as eighth grade have gone on to successful lacrosse careers in high school and college. Therefore, beginners are welcome at all levels.

 
Little Laxers K-2nd Grade (Girls)

Play is instructional only and is structured to be a fun introduction to the sport. Players normally practice once per week on Saturday mornings. The format is a station-based clinic where girls learn the fundamentals of catching, passing, shooting, scooping, and cradling … and yes, even wearing a mouthpiece and goggles! Coaches typically split the girls into groups that rotate them between stations to practice different skills of the game.  Practices are led by a head coach with assistance from volunteer parents.    

Bantam K-2nd Grade (Boys) 

Play is instructional, mostly intramural, and non-competitive (no official scorekeeping, no league standings, no postseason tournament leading to a championship, no overtime play, coaches are allowed on the field). Body checking is not allowed and stick checks are restricted. Players normally practice once or twice per week. Practices focus on teaching boys the fundamentals of passing, catching, cradling, scooping, shooting, and team play to build a strong base for their future growth in the game … and they are fun. Intramural games are played on short fields with short squads (typically 7-on-7) to guarantee the maximum number of touches for each player.

Lightning 3rd-4th Grade (Boys and Girls) 

Lightning teams play small field 7 vs 7 games to enhance learning and increase ball "touches".  Players normally practice twice per week.  Practices focus on teaching players the fundamentals of passing, catching, cradling, scooping, shooting, and team play.  At this level we begin to teach players the different position and rules of the game.  Throughout the season, games are played via jamborees where teams play multiple games in the same day against teams from surrounding towns.  The final jamboree is hosted by Norwalk Lacrosse Association at Veteran’s Park in Norwalk in June called Pound-On-The-Sound (so named because both dogs and kids love to chase ground balls!).

Juniors 5th-6th Grade (Boys and Girls) 

Junior teams play full field and regulation games (10 vs 10 boys and 12 vs 12 girls).  Players normally practice two to three times per week.  Practices continue to focus on the fundamentals of passing, catching, cradling, scooping, shooting, and team play, but with higher intensity, speed and accuracy.  Games are on weekends and weekday evenings against opponents across Connecticut and Southeastern New York. A detailed practice schedule is posted the home page and game schedule will be available at the beginning of the season.  The schedule may change over the season based on weather and other factors.

Seniors 7th-8th Grade (Boys and Girls) 

Senior teams play full field and regulation (10 vs 10 boys and 12 vs 12 girls).  This level offer players progressively more intense competition, appropriate to their age, and thus require progressively greater commitment. Teams generally practice two to three times a week, supplemented with games and tournaments. Games are on weekends and weekday evenings against opponents across Connecticut and Southeastern New York. A detailed practice schedule is posted the home page and game schedule will be available at the beginning of the season.  The schedule may change over the season based on weather and other factors.

Everyone Plays
Every player who attends practice gets plenty of playing time. No experience is necessary at any age level.

US Lacrosse
Every registered NJrLacrosse player must become a member of US Lacrosse, the sport's National Governing Body.
 

Required Equipment

BOYS: Lacrosse Stick, Helmet, Mouthpiece, Shoulder Pads, Gloves, Arm Pads, Cleats, Protective Cup, and Practice Clothing: Each player must provide his own lacrosse stick, helmet, mouthpiece, shoulder pads, gloves, arm pads, cleats, protecticve cup and practice clothing.

GIRLS: Lacrosse Stick, Goggles, Mouthpiece, Cleats, and Practice Clothing:  Each player must provide her own lacrosse stick, goggles, cleats, mouthpiece and practice clothing.

GOALKEEPERS: NJrLacrosse provides goalie sticks and all required protective equipment for both boy and girl goalkeepers. Players must provide all other equipment required for their gender.

UNIFORMS: All 3rd-8th grade boys and girls are required to purchase a game jersey, and skort for girls or shorts for boys and practice pinnie is optional.

Age/Gender Groups

* CONNY will not enforce oldest birth dates for grades K-4^th, but member programs may choose to adhere to them. NJrLax will do so, but will entertain petitions for old-in-grade K-4^th graders to stay with their grade, with the understanding that once they reach 5^th grade, they will have to play with their age peers.

Read more about the new CONNY age designations here.

Costs

Refunds

Our policy is to refund all but our non-recoverable costs for players who decide to withdraw through the sixth practice of their age/gender group. After the sixth practice, there will be no refund of registration fees.

Financial Assistance

Please click attached link for the financial assistance policy and contact  (VP of Boys Program) or irlslaxnorwalk@gmail.com (VP of Girls Program) as needed.
 
For team specific information once the season gets closer click on the "Team" button at the top of the home page. From there choose your specific season, league, and team on the pull-down menus at the top of the page. On the left-hand side of the page, select team specific bulletins, rosters, and schedule.