Following a unanimous vote from the Board of Directors of the West Florida Lacrosse League (WFLL), the league will divide into two divisions in 2010: in-school club teams and community club teams. After careful research of state, regional, and national trends, the Board realized the benefits of moving towards an in-school model are innumerable including alignment with virtually every other region of the state. In-school programs are more visible to the student body and administration, which has proven to help the sport grow quickly into a high school sanctioned sport. These programs also abide by FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Assn.) guidelines and, by rule, can only play other in-school club teams. In October 2008, the WFLL Board modified their By-laws to mirror the FHSAA guidelines and rules to accommodate the inevitable migration towards the in-school model. There has been considerable discussion on what distinguishes an in-school club team from a community club team with some of the differences including:
- In-school club teams have a school teacher sponsor and have applied for and received club status from the respective high school;
- The rosters of in-school club teams are made up entirely (100%) of players from the same school;
- In-school teams are permitted to use school colors and school name.
- In-school teams may or may not be allowed to use the school facilities, a decision that is made by the school and/or school board.
- Examples of in-school clubs would be Berkeley Prep, Sarasota Military Academy, Wharton, Plant, Freedom, and Jesuit.
Conversely, community club teams have players from different schools on the same roster. Consequently, they do not have an affiliation with any one particular school, nor do they use a school’s name or colors. Examples of community club teams are Clearwater, St Pete and Citrus Park. Important considerations to remember when planning for 2010, players for an in-school team must all attend the same high school. If even one player attends another school, the team is disqualified from claiming in-school status. Also, in-school club teams will not be permitted to compete against community club teams in games, scrimmages, or jamborees regardless of the desires or willingness of the coaches and administrators or the history of any rivalry.
When contemplating the decision to pursue in-school status, Program Administrators and coaches should be reminded that, for the first time this year, top players from in-school club teams are eligible to receive All-American and Academic All-American Honors. Obviously, these awards bring credibility and awareness to our game and the quality of our players! Another benefit of in-school status is that in-school teams will be able to play other in-school teams throughout Florida including the possibility of playing FHSAA teams as well. The winner of the WFLL in-school division will continue to represent the WFLL in the IA Club Championship Series at the end of the season.
The Greater Tampa Bay area is the only region in the state that offers community club teams (WCAA, Clearwater, Hernando, etc.). Every other region throughout the state has recognized the imperative to move towards an in-school model and does not recognize community club teams. It is the WFLL Board’s belief that community club programs will disappear over the next few years and has structured the process to encourage and facilitate the adoption of in-school status. In support of this trend, all Program Administrators, coaches and parents have been asked to take the time and initiative to meet with team representatives, and local high school teachers, principals and athletic directors to inform them of the growing interest in the sport across the community. Elevating their awareness and interest will serve both the sport and the community well. Although FHSAA has recognized lacrosse, it has not yet sanctioned the sport with varsity status which includes school funding.
There are some obstacles that inhibit the sanctioning of the sport such as: 1) Title 9–schools need a balance between girls’ teams and boys’ teams. Growing girls' lacrosse teams also needs to be a priority. 2) Money - schools are struggling economically in the current economic climate; and 3) Inadequate support. There’s not enough support in most communities to pressure schools to take that last step towards sanctioning. We need more voices speaking in unison about the educational and athletic benefits and contributions our children realize from participation in this great sport!
The WFLL has developed the following timeline to assist Program Administrators plan for the split in 2010:
- All programs must submit in writing to the WFLL Board by June 15, 2009 the division in which they intend to compete during the 2010 season. This statement of intent is not final or binding;
- Programs must finalize which division they will enter in writing to the WFLL by September 15, 2010. This statement of intent is final for the 2010 season;
- All programs must be prepared to schedule games for the 2010 season by October 1, 2009. A league Scheduling Meeting will be held shortly after this date.
