The Harvard Youth Lacrosse program offers youth players an opportunity to learn and enjoy the “fastest game on two feet”.

The Harvard Youth Lacrosse (HYL) program is open to boys and girls in grades Kindergarten thru 8 who live in Harvard, Maynard, Ayer, Shirley, Lancaster, Lunenburg, Acton, Boxboro, and other surrounding towns. It is run under the auspices of the Harvard Athletic Association (HAA).
 
Do I have to know anything about lacrosse to play?
No prior experience is required or expected.  We will teach the basic skills necessary to play. 

Do I need special equipment?
Yes. At a minimum, the rules require the following for boys: a regulation helmet with chinstrap, mouth guard, regulation gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and a lacrosse stick. "Long sticks" are routinely used by the defense. HYL is doing what it can to encourage equipment swaps; however, for new players, we strongly recommend you buy a new helmet due to safety concerns around used helmets. Also, the HYL program will make some used or new equipment available to families facing financial hardship.

Do I need a US Lacrosse registration?
Yes. US Lacrosse membership is a requirement to play HYL because it offers insurance coverage that protects the program in the event of a serious injury to one of its players while playing in the program. 

However, you do NOT have to register in two places: during HYL registration, you will be asked to join or renew your membership to US Lacrosse. Costs: $25 (youth) or $35 (high school) which is separate from the HYL registration fee. You pay both fees at the end of the registration.

Season: mid-February thru mid-June

Patriot Youth Lacrosse League (PYLL): The HYL boys participate in the Patriot Youth Lacrosse League which is a development league intended to teach the sport of Lacrosse and provide a positive experience for each player (www.patriotyouthlacrosse.com).

Mass Bay Girls Lacrosse League (MBGLL): The HYL girls participate in the Mass Bay Girls Lacrosse League (www.mbgll.com).

Practice Schedule: Two times per week, usually in the early evenings. We usually conduct a few pre-season indoor clinics in mid-February to mid-March, followed by outdoor practices when weather permits and throughout the season.

Practices for U9, U13 & U15 boys teams will be held at Lower Depot Road field. Practices for U11 boys teams will be at Ann Lee Road field. Practices for girls teams will be held at the Bromfield Middle School field.

Game Schedule: Games are usually Sunday afternoons between noon and 5:00 PM.  There will be a few mid-week games, as well. The games last about 1-1/2 hours.

U13 & U15 home games are played at Lower Depot Road field, while U9 & U11 home games are played at Ann Lee Road fields. Girls home games are played at Brom field Middle School field.

Coaches and other volunteers are needed to ensure this program runs. Interested parents should contact Joe Gatto (978-902-6184, 978-456-3149, or , or any member of the Board of Directors.

What do I get for my registration fee?
The $110 registration fee covers PYLL or MBGLL league dues, the referees, field use, team supplies, mid-season PYLL tournament, end-of-season PYLL tournament, end-of-season MBGLL jamboree, goalie equipment, lacrosse balls, a reversible practice pinney, etc. 

Uniforms consisting of a jersey and shorts are required, and may be ordered during registration, if needed.

The lacrosse jacket is OPTIONAL.  It has been popular in the past years, so we are offering it during registration.  Y means youth and A means adult in front of the sizes in the registration form (e.g. YXL = youth extra large; AM = adult medium).