As you’re looking to get your child involved in something new you may stop to wonder, “well, how expensive IS lacrosse?” and if you scour the internet you’ll find all sorts of opinions. Like any specialized sport you’re going to have a wide range of expenses when it comes to equipping your child and getting them enrolled in programs. Here, we break down the ins-and-outs of the expense to lacrosse from a player perspective and from a league perspective.
Lacrosse is for all. If you have a financial burden that is prohibitive of your participation, please reach out to us as we have loaner equipment and registration reductions.
The boy’s game is a contact sport, with that comes an important amount of protective gear. Keeping it in good shape and staying up to date with safety standards and all equipment should adhere to the nocsae.org/ standards. That being said, your gear can last you a few years, especially helmets. Gloves wear out. Shoulder pads last, unless your kid grows like a weed (like mine). So on and so forth.
Here’s what you need to play competitively:
Stick
Helmet
Mouthguard
Shoulder Pads
Rib Pads (optional)
Elbow Pads
Gloves
Cleats
Cup/Athletic Supporter
Right out of the gate, you’re going to feel sticker shock. If you look on Lacrosse Unlimited, you’ll find basic youth starter kits for around $250 including a stick (of course prices may change after I’ve written this). But as I said, some of it will last, and after a year you might only need some gloves, or nothing at all! It’s an upfront investment.
Here’s a really good guide to help you learn more about equipping your child.
There are also registration fees associated with lacrosse - just like every other sport. The help of sponsorships is what can really bring down the burden to our parents. See below what the program needs to raise money for.
Lacrosse is for all. If you have a financial burden that is prohibitive of your participation, please reach out to us as we have loaner equipment and registration reductions.
The girl’s game is much more finesse and is a non-contact sport making the equipment barrier into the sport much much less than the boys.
Here’s what you need to play competitively:
Stick
Mouth guard
Goggles
Cleats
Gloves (non protective, optional)
This equipment is going to last you a couple of years, maybe not the cleats, but here’s a really good guide to help you learn more about equipping your child.
Lacrosse is for all. If you have a financial burden that is prohibitive of your participation, please reach out to us as we have loaner equipment and registration reductions.
Specifically in our startup year we have a bunch of additional expenses that will be front loaded. Our full intention is to have these expenses offset by the generosity of community sponsors. For complete transparency we want to show you a handful of the elements we’re looking to cover in costs.
Uniforms
Field expenses
We need a few sets of goals. Full 6x6x7 goal frames and nets for grades 3-6 and shortie goals for k-2 and speed lacrosse practice
Field lining and painting
Balls. Lots of balls.
Cones
Score keeper
Goalie gear. As goalie is a shared position in the youth level, the program will supply the equipment for boys and girls this includes a chest protector, neck guard, gloves
League expenses
There are league dues
D&O Insurance fees (over and above USA Lax insurance coverage)
Tournament entry fees
Referee fees
Generic program expenses
Website building and hosting fees
Legal filings
Unforeseen expenses may pop up along the way, as this is our
We understand there may be some hesitation to the initial cost of joining this program. Look at it as an investment. Many other sports have similar inertia, baseball and softball programs have many upfront equipment costs. Programs like karate and gymnastics expenses creep up on you, weekly or monthly participation fees add up, belt tests and competitions, uniforms and karate Gi’s, among other things. We understand we’re not alone, and we understand that we’re competing with these other programs for your time AND dollars.
In the end, lacrosse is worth it. The values, skills, exercise, comradery and life lessons learned are unlike any other sport. Beyond all that, the community of lacrosse is tight, friendly and close. Happy to answer any deeper questions you may have, email us at info@wallenpaupacklacrosse.com.