NRILAX and CYLAX are youth lacrosse organizations dedicated to the great sport of lacrosse. Our members are include youths from the towns of Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, Johnston, Scituate, Foster, Glocester, Burriville, N. Smithfield, and Central Falls. NRILAX and CYLAX are associated with the US Lacrosse organization, which is the national governing body of lacrosse.
The Cumberland Youth Lacrosse Association (CYLAX) has been established as an independent chapter in addition to Northern Rhode Island Lacrosse. All players from the town of Cumberland will be members of CYLAX. All Cumberland players will be placed on the same teams in their respective age groups. Additional players from other NRI Lacrosse communities will be added to those teams to fill the rosters. Both organizations function independently of each other, but will share resources as needed.
Establishing the CYLAX as its own chapter is the first step in acheiving one of NRI's objectives, which is to eventually establish self-run individual lacrosse youth associations in each of the northern Rhode Island cities and towns, much like the evolution of other youth sports organizations on local communities.
Can my child play other sports concurrently with lacrosse?
In years past we accepted the fact that many children who registered to play lacrosse also participated in other youth sport leagues that conflicted with lacrosse team practices and games. Our philosophy was that we welcomed children to try lacrosse and we understood that lacrosse would not be every child’s top priority. We have revisited this policy and have changed our philosophy. We now strongly recommend that if your child decides to join lacrosse, that he or she makes participation in lacrosse their #1 sport priority for the spring season. We have found that those children who treat lacrosse as a second priority do not develop their skills at the same rate as their teammates and this can be very discouraging for them and lead them to give up on the sport. Another reason for #1 priority dedication to lacrosse is that the team depends upon each and every player. Those children who do not attend practices commit a disservice to the rest of the team come game day. Players who do not attend practices, especially at the older age levels, do not learn team plays and strategies and therefore do not help the team on game day. We ask players interested in lacrosse to establish lacrosse as their top sports priority during the spring season. If they cannot make that commitment, then we ask that they not register in fairness to themselves and their teammates. It is only fair that the team be able to count on its full roster for participation and dedication.
What are the team structures?
The NRILAX and CYLAX programs include boys and girls assigned to teams within their appropriate age group (under 9 yrs, under 11 yrs, under 13 yrs, 15 yrs and under). The teams play against other teams within the same age group. The opposing teams are from within NRILAX and CYLAX as well as from the other eight RILAX geographic regions. Teams practice two nights each week and play games on Saturday mornings within NRILAX and CYLAX as well as from other areas of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
Where do the practices and games take place?
CYLAX teams practice and play home games at the Diamond Hill fields in Cumberland and the NRILAX teams play in Smithfield and additional locations to be named at a later date.
What is the cost to participate?
The NRILAX registration fee is $125 for players in the U11, U13 and U15 divisions and $95 for players in the U9 division. Division eligibility is as follows:
U9: Born in 1999 or 2002
U11: Born in 1997 or 1998
U13: Born in 1995 or 1996
U15: Born in 1993 or 1994
What is the registration fee used for?
Volunteers run NRILAX and CYLAX and therefore all proceeds from registration fees go towards running the program. This includes each child’s’ US Lacrosse membership fee, uniforms, each child’s state RILAX dues, referee fees, goals, hundreds of balls per season, field paint, misc equipment (goalie, scoreboards, cones, first aid supplies etc), end off season shirts and supplies for the NRILAX and CYLAX end of season outing, etc. For a detailed breakdown of costs see “REGISTRATION: Fees and Cost Breakdown”.
What about equipment?
All registrants are required to provide their own equipment. Boys’ team members are required to wear the following equipment: helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guard, arm pads, and gloves, as boys’ lacrosse is a contact sport. Girls are required to wear only a mouth guard and protective eyewear, as girls’ lacrosse is a non-contact sport. All players are required to have a lacrosse stick. Go to “EQUIPMENT: Requirements” for more detail.
A lacrosse equipment store, LaxCity, has moved to North Smithfield Commons, 408 Eddie Dowling Commons, North Smithfield Ri 02896. They provide starter lacrosse equipment packages at very competitive prices. They sell all brands of lacrosse equipment. Be sure to mention your association with NRILAX when purchasing equipment. Visit the store or their website www.laxcity.com.
Also, go to the “EQUIPMENT: Bulletin Board” to locate used equipment that you can buy or trade with other players who have outgrown their equipment.
When does the season begin and end?
Lacrosse is a springtime sport. The NRILAX teams begin practice the week of April 1st, depending upon the weather and field conditions. Games begin on Saturday April 14th and run into the first week of June.
What if my child is too old to join NRILAX?
Any child born in 1992 or before is too old to participate in the NRILAX program. However, look into playing for your high school team. There are also high school age and adult leagues available. See the “CAMPS/CLINICS: Listing of Local Activities” page for more information.
Does NRILAX have any coaching and parent assistance needs?
Definitely. We are always in need of coaches, assistant coaches, team parents, and members of the Board of Directors to help run the organization. Anyone can participate in any of these positions. You don’t need to have played lacrosse in your younger years to get involved. We welcome parents with no lacrosse experience who wish to assist the coach with a team and learn about lacrosse along the way. Hopefully they will eventually coach teams of their own or at least be assistant coaches for many seasons. For those of you who have been fortunate enough to play lacrosse in years past, please share your enthusiasm and knowledge with the kids and step forward to coach or assistant coach
