Frequently Asked Questions

Are you looking for information on specific questions you have about the Association, lacrosse, or the program? Please feel free to look further at these frequently asked questions. If these do not answer your questions, or if you need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.


What nights does each level play on?

In general, each age group plays on the following days:

  • Peanut/initiation — Saturday mornings and Tuesday evening
  • Tyke — Saturdays and Wednesdays
  • Novice — Mondays and Wednesdays
  • PeeWee — Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Bantam — Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Midget — Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Intermediate — Sunday evenings

 

What equipment do I need? Can I use hockey equipment?

Yes, you can use most of your hockey equipment. In addition to the hockey helmet, mouth guard, hockey gloves, hockey shoulder pads, and athletic support, you will need arm guards, which attach to the should pads, and kidney pads. For more information, please click on “Rules and Equipment” on our website, for a detailed diagram.

Can I play in Gloucester?

Please contact our Registrar for details on boundaries.

Which arenas do we play at?

Barrett, Armstrong, Navan, Kilrea, Brewer, and Blackburn.

What equipment does a Peanut/initiation player need?

Helmet, lacrosse stick, shoulder pads, mouthguard, jock (or jill) and gloves. Although it is non–contact, we recommend kidney pads and slash guards for incidental contact and to have the players get used to full equipment.

Can I make a request to play on a certain team with my friends?

No. Requests for specific teams will not be considered.

Exceptions to the rule:

  • siblings in the same division
  • Playing up or down a level, in house league only (this is solely at the discretion of the VP house)

Can I request to play with a specific coach?

Requests for specific coaches will not be considered.

Refund/Cancellation Policy?

Yes, we have a refund and cancellation policy.

NSF cheques or cancellations will be charged a minimum $50 administration fee. Requests to withdraw/refund must be received by the Board in writing prior to April 30th, following which all fees are non-refundable, except in exceptional circumstances, as determined by the Board. All Board decisions in these matters are final.

Who can be a coach?

Anyone can be a coach. The GLA is always looking for new coaches to be able to continue offering programs in this expanding sport.

Why should I coach?

Every player deserves to have a coach from whom they can learn and develop. Without enough coaches, the GLA could not provide the opportunity for the players to learn and develop in the game of lacrosse. Most parents have already committed most of the time for their child to play, why not get involved. Coaching and seeing players develop and improve can be one of the most gratifying experiences you will ever have.

Do I need any previous coaching experience?

House league does not require any previous coaching experience. Previous experience is an asset with older ages groups (Peewee and older). Due to the nature of competitive play, competitive head coaches usually have experience coaching, while assistant coaches may or may not.

Do I have to have lacrosse experience?

House league does not require experience. It is an asset with older ages groups (Peewee and older). Experience coaching other sports is also valuable as many of the skills are the same or complimentary, especially hockey, basketball, and soccer. Due to the nature of competitive play, competitive head coaches usually have some lacrosse background, while assistant coaches may or may not.

What is the time commitment for a house league coach?

The commitment is about three hours a week for a house league team, usually two hours of floor time (practice or games) and about another hour of prep time (practice plans, emails, equipment etc). The house league is run over a ten week season. Most parents have already committed that time for their child to play; the extra hour is not a lot for most people.

What is the time commitment for competitive coach?

The commitment for competitive coaches is consists of two practice sessions per week (1—2 hours each), exhibition games, and three to six weekend tournaments. Travel outside the region to some tournaments or zone games are required. The competitive season runs from late April to the beginning of August

What if I can’t commit to, or I am not ready to be a head coach?

Be an assistant coach, help on the bench, or helping run drills during practice is a great way to contribute to the team and is also a great way for new coaches to gain experience. Many coaches have started out this way. There are also many other volunteer positions to be filled such as team managers, conveners, or timekeepers.

What is required to be a house league coach?

Only a positive attitude and a commitment to provide a fun, safe learning experience. A Police record check form here: http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/serving_ottawa/support_units/pdf/police_records_check.pdf. All coaches are required to follow the GLA Coach’s Code of Conduct.

What is required to be a competitive coach?

Anyone can assist during practices, but all bench staff must obtain, or be in progress of obtaining, certification through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). This is a requirement of the sport’s governing bodies, the Ontario and Canadian Lacrosse Associations. All coaches are required to follow the GLA Coaches Code of Conduct. Competitive team head coaches may be required to apply for the head coach position.

How do I become an NCCP certified coach?

See the NCCP Certification FAQ

I’m ready. How do I sign up?

There will be a sign up sheet at player registration for house league coaches and other volunteer positions. House league coaches may be asked to fill out the Ontario Lacrosse Association registration form. Coaches can also sign up through by contacting one of the executive.

Competitive coaches should complete the Coaching application form and submit it to the VP Competitive.

What coaching resources are available?

The GLA is in progress of creating an informal coaching program to help new and experienced coaches, including lacrosse resources and a coaching clinic to be held before the season starts. Other coaching resources (handbooks, videos, internet resources) will be made available.

NCCP Certification

What is NCCP?

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is a coaching model and certification program which has been developed by the Coaching Association of Canada. The program was designed to meet the needs of a wide range of coaches — from those who introduce youngsters to sport to those who work with Canada’s high performance athletes. The NCCP prepares coaches to

  • better meet the needs of all participants in sport
  • provide a positive sport experience to participants
  • provide opportunities for athletes to achieve their full potential in and through sport
  • provides a means to ensure that coaches are certified to known level of competency

This program has been adopted by over 60 sporting associations in Canada, including the Canadian Lacrosse Association and its provincial member associations.

Why do I need to get NCCP certified?

It is a required by the lacrosse’s governing body, the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA), that the coaching staff on the bench of any OLA sanctioned game must have or be in progress of obtaining NCCP certification, as well as being registered (carded) with the OLA.

NCCP lacrosse certification has three components:

  • Theory — NCCP Multi–sport Introduction to Competition Part A
  • Technical — lacrosse specific clinic offered by the OLA
  • Practical — Self–evaluation workbook submitted to the OLA technical director

The OLA requires that all first year coaches must have completed the NCCP theory (at which point you will receive an NCCP Coach number) or the technical component. Second Year coaches must have completed the theory, technical and practical components.

How do I get NCCP certified?

NCCP Theory – The NCCP Introduction to Competition — Part A is offered as both an instructor lead course, and as a self–study course at home. Courses are offered regularly through Continuing Education at Algonquin College (www.algonquincollege.com). The cost is approximately $100 and is over two days (13 hours).

NCCP/OLA Technical — The technical course is offered by the OLA, usally once a year for each of the OLA zones. It normally takes place in our zone (Zone 5) in April. The schedules are posted on the OLA website www.ontariolacrosse.com in the early spring, and the GLA website. It may require travel to a Zone 5 centre (Brockville, Kingston, Cornwall…) depending on where it is being offered. Spaces are usually limited. The course is supposed to be 12 hours but may be condensed into a single 8 hour day. There is a classroom part and a floor part. You will be required to bring a stick and be prepared to participate. The cost is approximately $130 and will be reimbursed by the GLA if you take a coaching position with the club. It requires that you submit the receipt and a copy of the certification card to the club treasurer for approval.

NCCP/OLA Practical — As part of the course material from the technical course, you will receive an evaluation workbook to complete. The evaluation covers objectives, practice plans, emergency plans, ethical situation, and self–evaluation. Once completed, it is sent to the OLA for review and acceptance.

Once all three components are completed and results submitted to the Coaching Association of Canada, you are officially considered to be “certified”. The CAC maintains a record of your training, which is accessible through their website www.coach.ca