Youth Council

The US Lacrosse Youth Council is charged with promoting girls and boys lacrosse in a safe and sportsmanlike environment. Youth leagues are eligible to be represented on the Youth Council's Board of Governors, which now includes representatives from dozens of youth leagues throughout the United States. The US Lacrosse staff works closely with the 18-member Youth Council and its seven committees to manage existing programs and events, evaluate and fund new initiatives in support of youth lacrosse development, and review youth membership issues.

Four Youth Council representatives sit on the US Lacrosse Board of Directors, while one Youth Council representative serves as a Director-at-Large on the Executive Committee of the US Lacrosse Board of Directors. In addition, two Youth Council members serve on the Women's Board of Governors and two members serve on the Men's Board of Governors as youth representatives.

The Youth Council hosts two annual US Lacrosse Youth Festivals - events that feature over 90 regional girls' and boys' all-star teams from throughout the country in under-13 and under-15 age brackets. A growing component of these festivals is the inclusion of BRIDGE lacrosse teams from urban areas.

Youth Council initiatives also include the publication and ongoing review of standardized youth rules for girls' and boys' lacrosse, the development of a Coaching Education curriculum in conjunction with the Men's and Women's Division Coaches Councils, and the management of a national sportsmanship initiative with the Positive Coaching Alliance.

The Youth Council has established a Code of Conduct that emphasizes sportsmanship to players, coaches, parents, spectators, and officials. Read the brief version and the full statement. Attendees and participants in US Lacrosse Youth Council events are required to sign a contract and pledge to ""Honor the Game."