FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Information about Lacrosse in Martin County Florida
Related Information
Lacrosse 101 An introduction to the Game of Lacrosse
What is the organization Friends of High School Lacrosse for Martin County (FHSL)?
Friends of High School Lacrosse for Martin County (FSHL) was formed in 2008 by several parents as a not-for-profit organization (501C (3) pending status) to raise funds and advance the formation of lacrosse programs in the three area public high schools including Jensen Beach, Martin County, South Fork High Schools.
How many players can each high school in Martin County have on their team?
Each high school in Martin County can have 20 to 30 players on their lacrosse team.
What time of the year is the high school lacrosse season?
It is a Winter to Spring sport season.
How will the high school lacrosse programs be funded in Martin County?
Due to Title IX issues, most of the boy's programs operate on an "in-school club" level and the girls programs operate as "athletic" programs.
The Martin County School District has added girls’ lacrosse as a Varsity program to balance the Title IX issues. While current budget cuts within the Martin County School District make an arduous task of requesting funds for three (3) high school athletic programs in light of cutting other sports, FHSL’s goal is to raise the funds necessary to supplement the girls’ varsity lacrosse program which is $5,000 per school every year.
The boys high school lacrosse programs in all three Martin County high school schools will be self-funded and are considered a “club” sport. It will be necessary for FHSL to raise all necessary funds to run the program including, equipment, uniforms, coaching fees, official fees, insurance, field costs and travel expenses for all three high schools in Martin County. The cost is estimated at $15,000 per school every year or approximately $45,000 - $50,000 for all three (3) schools every year.
How will Friends of High School Lacrosse for Martin County (FHSL) raise funds for high school programs?
Friends of High School Lacrosse (FHSL) has held awareness rallies with drawings and boosters to raise funds for our organization. A spring clinic raised some funds for the organization but many other fund raisers and sponsorships are needed to fully support the programs.
What is the mission of the Friends of High School Lacrosse for Martin County (FHSL)?
The mission of Friends of High School Lacrosse (FHSL) is to advance the sport of lacrosse, building leadership and teamwork skills to serve youth beyond their high school years.
- FHSL will provide Martin County area boys and girls an opportunity to play lacrosse competitively for their respective high schools;
- Engender greater socio-economic, racial and geographic diversity within the sport;
- Create an environment which may also provide scholarship opportunities to our children during turbulent economic times.
In addition, FHSL strives to:
- Instill the importance of good sportsmanship
- Demand respect for the great game of lacrosse, and for those playing, coaching or officiating the game;
- Build pride in your school, your team and yourself.
How did lacrosse get started in the United States?
The sport of lacrosse has its roots within the culture of Native Americans and is the oldest sporting contest in our country. Many of the skills, rules and tactics used in basketball, football, soccer and hockey can be found in the game of lacrosse.
How popular is lacrosse in the United States?
Lacrosse is enjoyed nationally through youth, high school, collegiate and professional organizations. US Lacrosse, with over 600,000 members is the national governing organization for the sport. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport nationwide with numbers year over year of 30%.
How long has Martin County had organized lacrosse teams?
In 2005, the Martin County Pioneer Lacrosse Organization (MCPL) was organized by a group of volunteer parents with the support of the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department to run youth programs for children up through 8th grade.
The MCPL competes against similar community-based programs in nearby communities. The MCPL youth program has grown exponentially from 120 boys and girls in 2005 to more than 300 players in 2009.
How many Florida schools offer lacrosse?
As of 2009, there are 82 Florida lacrosse high school boys’ teams who compete state-wide under Florida High School Athletic Association guidelines.
In South Florida, as of 2009, there are nearly 45 programs for high school players. It is almost evenly split between boys and girls programs throughout South Florida. In all cases, the high school programs are affiliated with the individual schools allowing for the necessary institutional control desired by the participant high schools.
Why is lacrosse an important sport for high school students?
At the collegiate level, lacrosse offers many opportunities for scholarship and recruitment. Statistically, lacrosse players succeed with very high grade point averages and represent the highest graduation rates of any college athletes in the nation.
For high school level players to be "seen" by college programs however, requires that their play be within their high schools. Collegiate coaching staffs rarely look beyond high schools for student athletes who possess both the academic talent and the lacrosse skills to enhance their programs. Adding lacrosse to the Martin County high schools helps students receive sports scholarships who might otherwise be overlooked by admission officers at many colleges or universities.