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Q: Why did the registration fee increase so much this year?
Q: What do the fees cover?
Q: I missed information night and am unsure about my uniform size. Can I try one on before I register?
Q: Do you offer a family discount?
Q: Do you offer financial assistance?
Q: Why are sign-ups in December?
Q: I heard that some players can sign up early. Why?
Q: When does the season begin? End?
Q: When do practices start outside?
Q: Is there a place I can get information?
Q: Do I have to buy equipment?
Q: Are there any local stores that provide a discount?
Q: How many days a week do you practice?
Q: Are there games on Mother's Day and Memorial Day?
Q: How are the teams selected for each age group?
Q: Can I request that my child play with their friend so that we can car pool?
Q: I would like to volunteer but it seems like a big time commitment, can I help out just a little?
Q: Is the game of girls lacrosse the same as boys lacrosse?
Q: Why did the registration fee increase so much this year?
A: Once again, program expenses continue to rise, including increased fees for items such as town field use, Massachusetts Bay Girls Lacrosse League and Referees.
A: The fees cover several things. First is a membership in US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport. This gives many benefits (such as the magazine subscription) but the most important is the membership includes supplementary insurance coverage required for all players and coaches before they can participate.
The registration fees also cover team registration with MBGLL, referee fees, equipment costs, Southborough and Northborough field usage fees, Jamboree entry fees, player instructional clinics and coach's clinics. This year, the registration fee is $137. New players also need to purchase a uniform for $57 ($30 shirt, $27 skirt). Note that if you choose to subscribe to the US Lacrosse magazine, the final amount will be higher.
A: Yes! We have made arrangements to have the uniforms available for you to try on before registering. In Northborough, the uniform will be in the Northborough Recreation offices (508) 393-5034 (basement of Town Hall); in Southborough you should go to the Southborough Recreation offices (508-229-4452, 21 Highland St). Please call ahead for office hours.
A: Yes, we offer $25 off for each child, up to a maximum of $75 per family.
A: Yes, NSGL does make financial assistance available for those in need (only available to Northborough or Southborough residents). Please contact
(Tel 508-393-3926); all conversations will be strictly confidential.
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A: We are part of the Massachusetts Bay GIRLS Lacrosse League with over 120 area towns and about 8,000 kids playing. We are required to submit how many teams we will field for each age group by mid-January. We need to have registration complete so that we can determine how many teams we can have and should field. Late registrations pose a problem as we are also trying to be sure that the experience is a positive one for every child. If teams are too large, it only means less playing time, which can take the fun out of playing.
A: We have a pre-registration for any player who was in our program the previous year. Any returning player who misses the deadline goes into the regular registration pool. If by chance we register too many players, determined by the number of coaches (we cannot take every child as has happened), we will then have a lottery using the pool from the regular registration list. Everyone who registers during the registration period has an equal chance, and anyone who signs up late, is taken only as space allows on a first-come first-served basis. Also, while NSGL is open to all surrounding towns, first preference is given to Northborough & Southborough residents during Early and Open signup. After registration close, if spaces are available, we welcome residents from other towns.
A: We usually begin practices in early March. We are very fortunate that St. Marks School allows us to use their indoor facility while their students are on break. We schedule practices there until we can get outdoors. The days are allocated as evenly as possible to each of the age groups, which has proven to be a challenge as the program has grown tremendously. The season typically ends in mid-June.
A: We have to wait until both towns open up the fields for the spring. Not only does the snow need to be gone but the fields also need to be dry enough so that the first practices do not destroy the grass before it has a chance to get strong enough to last the whole season. Since evening practices begin at 5:45 PM we also need enough daylight, so it is usually just after the clocks change. This is the toughest part of the season since it seems like we are just getting a rhythm and then we have two weeks of touch and go weather.
A: This website will be updated regularly and is the first place to check for information. The coaches will communicate urgent information to their teams. As the program has grown so large it is just impossible for personal calls to be made to everyone, especially since all of our volunteers and coaches are giving so much time while working full time jobs. We have tried to make available a phone number and an email address for each age group of one coach, and certainly in an emergency you should call directly.
New this year is the ability to contact you via text messaging. If you wish to utilize this, please make sure your cell phone number and provider are updated in your member account.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact
. For general questions about the program, contact
(tel 508-393-3926).
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Q: Do I have to buy equipment?
A: Yes, each player needs to provide the following:
- Mouth guard (clear not allowed)
- Goggles
- Molded cleats (soccer style)
- Girls Lacrosse stick
A: Yes, Brine Sporting Goods, 978-443-4689, 615 Boston Post Rd Sudbury provides a discount for NSGL members. Imagination Sports in Clinton (500 Main St, 978-368-9121) offers an attractive package. Be sure to mention Northborough-Southborough Girls Lacrosse to either store for a 15% discount.
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Q: How many days a week do you practice?
A: We practice twice a week, Wednesday and Friday 5:45-7:15pm; there are occassional clinics held on Saturday mornings.
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Q: Are there games on Mother's Day and Memorial Day?
A: Mothers Day yes, but we do tell the kids to be extra helpful to Mom all that week! Memorial Day weekend, there are no games.
No games Easter Sunday, but we will play both Sundays of this years April Vacation.
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Q: How are the teams selected for each age group?
A: The whole league philosophy is about learning the game and having fun. This is only done when the teams are split evenly versus having an A and a B team. We go to great lengths to evaluate the kids and try to split the teams evenly. We make an effort to split goalies, left handed kids, by town and by grade, so that each factor is half and half. This is also important as we practice together all season long and it would not be fun with one team much stronger than the other. And it is important that the kids trust us when we tell them we will do this, because they know instantly if it is not done that way.
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Q: Can I request that my child play with their friend so that we can car pool?
A: First as described above, after splitting the teams it is very difficult to make a move that may throw the teams out of balance. Second, since we practice together all season the car pooling should work out fine for that, and we make the assumption that on Sunday game days that the parents would be going to that and not car-pooling, so it becomes a non issue.
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A: Any help, even one day, is appreciated and needed! We have many tasks to keep the program running smoothly while maintaining our philosophy. Volunteers who have a lot of time can coach (experience is required to be a head coach but not to be an assistant coach), be a team parent or join the board of directors. If you only have a little time please contact the team parents, we have lots of one day, or one time jobs. They have a list you can choose from and we think you will enjoy it!
Currently, there is a need for coaches at 3rd/4th grade level. No experience necessay, training is provided.
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Q: Is the game of girls lacrosse the same as boys lacrosse?
A: The games are very different. About the only similarity between the two games is the fact that the object of the game is to propel a ball with the stick into the goal. The boys game is much more physical than the girls version. Body contact and contact with the stick and body is allowed. Boys lacrosse players wear helmets, shoulder pads, rib pads, arm pads, etc.
The game of girls lacrosse emphasizes speed, stamina, passing, catching and cradling skills and teamwork. All body contact is incidental and most of the rules in girls lacrosse emphasize player safety. Girls lacrosse is definitely more of a "finesse" game compared to the boys version.
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