Haven Youth Lacrosse – Boys

Registration opens Monday, November 16, 2026 and will close Monday, January 4, 2027.

Lacrosse is the game everyone wants to play!

Haven Youth Lacrosse fields travel teams at grades 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 for boys residing in Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.  All travel teams compete in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Youth Lacrosse Association (SEPYLA).

The program

Teams are organized into the following three divisions: A (7th and 8th graders), B (5th and 6th graders); and C (3rd and 4th graders). Each division is split by skill and competitiveness within SEPYLA.

• Level 1 (A1/B1/C1) teams compete agains some of the most advanced and completive youth lacrosse teams in Pennsylvania. Players on these teams should commit to prioritizing lacrosse practices nd games during pre-season and spring season.
• Level 2 (A2/B2/C2) teams are focused on development and are a great fit for first and second year players at all divisions.

evaluations and placement

To better manage roster size, give players meaningful playing time, and place each player on a team that is the best fit, HYL is introducing evaluations for spring teams, which will occur in February 2027. Coaches will use evaluations to set team rosters and decide which SEPYLA level (above) each of the teams will enter. If there are enough players registered, HYL plans to offer 1 team in A division (grades 7/8), 2 teams in B division (grade 5/6), and 2 teams in C division (grades 3/4).

Mandatory evaluations will be held in February in order to select team rosters as well as place each team at the most appropriate level of SEPYLA competition. Team rosters will be limited to roughly 18 players. HYL will enter at least one team into each SEPLA division (A/B/C) and a second HYL team may be offered in a division where there are sufficient players and coaches to support it.

How the process will work:

1. Register between Monday, November 16, 2026 and Monday, January 4, 2027.
2. Participate in pre-season training beginning mid-January.
3. Attend evaluations in early February, tentatively scheduled for __.
4. Families will be notified of team placement by __.

Players trying out for a HYL Level 1 travel team are expected to prioritize lacrosse practices and games. Playing time and team level placement can be impacted by attendance and effort in practices and games. HYL travel program may make roster/team level placement changes during the season.

COACHES: If you are interested in coaching, please reach out to us or check the box at registration.  Even if you know nothing about lacrosse, there is a way you can help! Any parent who helps on the field at practices or games must have a valid USA Lacrosse Coach Membership. Coaches will be reimbursed for this membership.

PRACTICES: Pre-season pactices will begin 1 day per week (Monday or Wednesdays) during the last week of February at the WFSF Sportsplex in Chester. Twice weekly practices start on Wallingford-Swarthmore School District fields in April for grades 3/4 and 5/6. Grades 7/8 will practice one time per week through the season (to accommodate middle school sports) with games on the weekends. HYL does not conflict with SHMS lacrosse – practices or games -and is very flexible about attendance.

Practices are 60-90 minutes with games once or twice a week. Beginners in all divisions are welcome!

GAMES: SEPYLA regular season games may begin as early as March 21/22 and extend through mid-May, with playoffs scheduled the following weeks. 7 weekend games and 2 mid-weeks games will be scheduled with no games on April 3/4.

HYL is committed to bringing lacrosse to everyone who wants to play.  Lacrosse equipment can be expensive.  We have some used equipment to distribute for use if needed.  AND, we offer scholarships to reduce the price of registration.  

We are seeking a head coach in order to field a second team in the 5/6 division. If you can commit, please reach out! We cannot field a second team without a head coach!

Any parents who help out on the field at practice or a game must have a USA Lacrosse Coaches Membership.  Coaches are reimbursed for the cost of their membership.

USA LACROSSE MEMBERSHIP: As a condition of our participation in league play, all HYL players must have a valid USA Lacrosse membership that expires after June 1, 2026.  USA Lacrosse has lots of resources for families who are new to the game.

WHO: Boys in grades 3-8

WHERE: WSSD fields including Rutgers Avenue Field, Mesa Field, and King Stadium; and Gouley Field

WHEN: late February – May 2026

• We are attempting to keep practices the same as last year. Beginning in April, 3/4 boys will likely practice on Mondays and Wednesdays with 5/6 boys practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Boys 7/8 practice once a week during the Strath Haven Middle School season as most players choose to participate in both teams. Every effort is made to accommodate the middle school sports schedule.
• Boys’ games are typically Sundays and Wednesdays for 3/4 and 5/6, Saturdays for 7/8.

EQUIPMENT: Boys’ equipment (for field players) consists of gloves, a helmet, arm pads, mouth guard, cleats, athletic hard cup, stick, and chest pads.  Chest pads must comply with NOCSAE guidelines. Lacrosse equipment is expensive.  HYL has a limited number of new sticks to distribute to families who need them as well as some used equipment to distribute.  Please order your equipment early.

UNIFORMS: Each player will need to purchase a uniform unless they have one that fits from last year. Boys’ required uniform consists of shorts, shooter shirt, and a jersey. Spirit wear is optional. A uniform store is open until February 11, 2026 HERE. We recommend checking the size charts in the uniform store for sizing.  Please email michelle@swarthmorerecreation.org for any uniform questions or any gently used uniform jersey options if interested.

REGISTRATION: December 8, 2025 at 9:00AM through January 12, 2026 at 11:59PM .

You must have an active USA Lacrosse membership to register. See USA Lacrosse. Please register early. We will not accept late registrations once rosters have been submitted to the league.

REGISTRATION FEE FOR GRADES 3/4 AND 5/6: $170 (After January 12, a late fee of $10 will be assessed for a total of $180.)

REGISTRATION FEE FOR GRADES 7/8:$145 (After January 12, a late fee of $10 will be assessed for a total of $155.)

Updated 2025.01.30