Answers to Common Questions
Answers to Common Questions on U7, U9 and U11
We have received a few questions about our programs, schedules and dates. There is some information here but here are additional details that may be of assistance to people hoping to better understand what to expect in certain age groups throughout a season. Note that until we have registration numbers finalized throughout the Calgary region so that interclub games can be scheduled for most age groups, it is difficult to give any more definition than this at this time.
U7
Our U7 program runs from the middle of April until the end of June. There are two floor times for 1 hour each each week. They will either be Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays and sometime between 5 and 7 pm. Typically all of these floor times are at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, depending on coordination with other partner organizations that also use that facility for lacrosse.
At our usual registration rates, all players are typically in one group. Early sessions will focus on fundamental skill development and the players having fun with their new lacrosse skills. As the season goes on, we will introduce scenarios which more closely approximate a game, introduce goaltending for players that are interested and may separate players into groups of similar skills to help them develop and have fun.
At the end of the season there is a festival in which our group will participate playing “games” against other Calgary region clubs. There are typically no other tournaments at this age group.
U9
At U9, assuming we have enough players to form more than one team, we do evaluate players in order to try and create teams of equal ability. Families can expect 3 evaluation floor times in the earlier part of March all at the Cavalry FC Fieldhouse. Typically evaluations will be on both a weeknights and one weekend.
From the middle of March until after the April break, teams will usually have 2 weeknight practices per week. These are scheduled in March once we know how many teams we have and how to allocate our floor times. These floor times will be at the Cavalry FC Fieldhouse until at least the early part of April when the ice comes out of the Okotoks Recreation Centre arenas.
Starting after the April break, U9 teams will usually play against other teams from High River and south Calgary. Games can take place at the Cavalry FC Fieldhouse, Okotoks Recreation Centre, High River Fieldhouse, South Calgary Soccer Centre, Oakridge Arena or Acadia Arena. All games and practices in this period take place on weeknights, but until we have arranged the game schedule with the other Calgary area clubs, we cannot predict which nights that will be. There is usually a total of 2 floor times per week with a total of 8-10 games depending on the total number of teams and the availability of facilities.
8U teams can participate in tournaments at the team’s discretion.
The season usually ends with a festival at the Calgary Soccer Centre in the second last weekend of June.
U11
At U11 players are evaluated and placed into teams to try to place players in a group of players of similar skill. Calgary has 3 skill groupings and which groupings Okotoks Raiders teams end up in depends on the number of players registered and their experience and ability. Families can expect 3 evaluation floor times in the earlier part of March all at the Cavalry FC Fieldhouse. Typically evaluations will be on both weeknights and a weekend.
From the middle of March until after the April break, teams will usually have 2 weeknight practices per week. These are scheduled in March once we know how many teams we have and how to allocate our floor times. These floor times will be at the Cavalry FC Fieldhouse until at least the early part of April when the ice comes out of the Okotoks Recreation Centre arenas.
Starting after the April break, U11 teams will usually play games against teams from throughout the Calgary region. While some attempt is made to limit the travel, games can take place as far away as Cochrane, Airdrie and Strathmore. All games and practices in this period take place on weeknights, but until we have arranged the game schedule with the other Calgary area clubs, we cannot predict which nights that will be. There is usually a total of 2-3 floor times per week with a total of 12 games.
U11 teams can participate in tournaments at the team’s discretion.
There is usually a playoff format at the end of the season which can take place in the first week of July with the possibility of a couple weekend games. There is also an Alberta Lacrosse Association festival that is usually held on the second weekend in July.
If you have additional questions about our program please feel free to email one of our volunteer board members.
