Location: SportsQuest - Midlothian, VA

 

Spectator Fees: $5 and $3 daily

                                          $8 and $4 weekend

 

                            ** No fee for College Coaches

 

Managed by Virginia Amateur Sports & hosted by SportsQuest 

   

Playoff Bracket for State Championship

 Eight boys teams and eight girls teams selected by their regional chapter (or other criteria) will compete in a quarter, semi and finals format to determine the Virginia High School Club champion.  Consolation brackets guarantee every team two games.  First two games will take place on first day.

 Eligibility is exclusive to teams representing public high schools or geographic zones similar to a high school attendance zone. “Select” teams are not eligible. (See full eligibility rules)

Teams that want to be considered for the tournament must submit a roster (not fee) by April 6, 2012. 

All games will be held at one location in Richmond, VA.  The SportsQuest facility has all weather fields and full concession, bathroom and seating facilities.

Entry fee per selected team is $495.00 payable by May 11, 2012.  This fee covers essential cost of officials and fields only.  This event belongs to the game and is not a “for profit” event.

To be considered for participation submit an accurate team roster with player name, jersey number, position and school before COB April 25 to the appropriate coordinator

 

 Boys Coordinator:    John Willcox   jlwillcox@verizon.net or
                                                                        757 641 8915

                         Girls Coordinator:     Michelle Gazarik mvgazarik@yahoo.com or                                                                                             757.817.0599

 

The second annual Subway Commonwealth Games Va High School Club Lacrosse Championship will be held June 2 & 3 2012 in Richmond. This is the Commonwealth's state championship for high school-based lacrosse clubs so save the dates!

 

    The Championship was created to give Virginia's high school club lacrosse players similar recognition, motivation and aspirations as other student athletes. The event also helps prepare pre-VHSL teams for the rigors, scheduling and summer team conflicts of VHSL post-season play. (VHSL says participation by pre-VHSL teams has no bearing on future eligibility)

 

    The event is formatted as a championship bringing together the club teams that have “won” the opportunity to represent to represent their regions during season play. Eight teams (8 boys. 8 girls) play quarters, semis and finals over a two day period at a single, all-weather venue in Richmond.

 

    The first Championship was a unqualified success. The 2011 Boys champion, the Atlee High School Lacrosse Club received official accolades at their school, their community and their school board in the same manner as a VHSL champion.  The 2011 Girls winner, Midlothian, received similar recognition. Club coaches and organizers all agreed that meeting their counterparts in other regions was an added bonus.

 

Your path to becoming the Commonwealth Games Virginia High School Club Lacrosse Champions.

 

1.    Save June 2 & 3.

2.    Declare your club's eligiblity by contacting organizers.  

3.    Help organize a regional body to determine region entrants.

            (not a requirement but it helps)

4.    Submit mid-season rosters.

5.    Come win a state championship for your players, club, school and region.

 

  

Frequently Asked Questions:

 

1.   What club teams are eligible?

The Championship is for Virginia high school-based/aged clubs that draw from a specific geographic district similar to a school attendance zone. Teams that are multi-school by necessity are eligible. Teams that hold open or invitational tryouts and "select" players from other high school-based club regions are not eligible. This is always a controversial line to draw and we remain open to ideas.

 

2.   How are the regional “winner” participant clubs chosen?

Ideally, regional leagues, organizations or coalitions determine how to choose their entrants from teams that meet event eligibility requirements. If there is no such organization or agreement among a region's clubs, we will use Laxpower ratings to choose the eligible clubs that have declared interest and submitted mid-season rosters.

 

The number of entrants per region may be determined by the number of eligible teams in a regional group at rate of one team per 4 clubs. (IE: up to 4 teams = 1 entrant. 5-9 teams = 2 entrants. 9-12 teams = 3 entrants)

 

 

3.   Our high school club team is on a VHSL track. Does this event violate VHSL rules or policy?

We inquired of the VHSL and it said that team activities prior to VHSL status have no bearing on future acceptance. Further, this event helps prepare a team for the extended practice, scheduling, and conflicts inherent in VHSL post-season play.

 

4.   Do college coaches attend?

Last year, we had a some college coaches scouting girls teams and we have had inquiries already this year. We do promote the event to Virginia local coaches but we do NOT yet bill this event as a recruiting tournament or guarantee college coach attendance. If the quality of play is outstanding, they will come as there are no established recruiting tournaments on the same weekend.

 

5.   Is there a cost to play?

Yes, there is a cost to pay for the necessities of fields, officials, balls, etc. Last year's cost was $495 per team with a two game minimum. This year's fee will be similar. If we can attract sponsors, it may be less.

 

There is an entry charge for spectators (less than a VHSL championship) to defray field and management costs. Local lodging is an additional expense although we will seek preferred rates.

 

6.   Is this a for-profit event?

Absolutely not. This event belongs to the game and the players. We have engaged a sports marketing and organization firm because we need a group to handle logistics, organization and seek sponsors to further defray cost.

 

7.   How did this event come about?

The idea of giving high school clubs a post-season championship appears to have been developed simultaneously by Andy Blanton from the Roanoke area and John Willcox & Chip Meade in the Hampton Roads region. Andy brought in Virginia Amateur Sports and the Commonwealth Games. Michelle Gazarik and Mike Kelly of Hampton Roads sparked the girls division.

 

8.   May I participate in planning and organization?

Absolutely! We welcome and need all input, ideas and assistance. We especially need a representative in each region to get all eligible teams on board.

 

Format: The goal of the Virginia High School Club Lacrosse State Championship is to provide the opportunity for the best public high school club lacrosse teams (non-VHSL Non select/travel) to compete against comparable teams for a state championship in the post-season. 

The intent of the eligibility requirements is to assure a fair playing environment with teams of similar composition, age, affiliation and aspiration.   

The Championship organizers reserve the exclusive right to determine eligibility and participation of any team in keeping with the spirit of the event.  With that said, the organizers will defer to the Regional Authorities to make initial eligibility decisions.  The final decisions will be determined by the Championship organizers.

I.                   Regional Authority: 

1.     Three primary regions have been identified as Regional Authorities.

They include:

a.           Richmond/Central Virginia Area

b.           Hampton Roads Area

c.            Roanoke/Southwest Virginia Area

2.     The US Lacrosse Chapters in these three areas will have primary authority over the respective teams under their chapters.  These governing bodies will have responsibility for determining eligibility of teams and players in the respective areas.

II.                 Team Eligibility:

1.     Eight girls’ teams and eight boys’ teams will be selected from across the state to participate in the tournament.

a.     Each Regional Authority will select two girls’ teams and two boys’ teams to send to the tournament.

b.     Four additional teams (two girls and two boys teams) will be selected from across the state to attend as wild card participants as determined by the Championship organizers.

c.      Wild card teams will be determined using the internet site Lax Power as a guide for selection.

2.     Participating club teams must be affiliated with a public high school(s) and/or specific geographic district similar to a high school attendance zone and only include players from that zone.  Teams that hold tryouts open to any players or include players from other school or club zones with their own lacrosse programs are not eligible.

3.     The participating club teams must compete during the regular season against similar teams within a league or region administered by a recognized regional organization.  (IE:  US Lacrosse Chapter)   If no such organized league exists, teams that meet all other guidelines may apply for inclusion.

4.     The participating club teams must be designated as championship competitors by their regional organization and vetted by their regional organization as meeting all eligibility requirements.   If no such organization exits, the event organizers will determine participants by transparent parameters such as power rankings and record on Laxpower.

III.              Student Athlete Eligibility

1.     In order to be eligible to play for a team athletes must be:

a.     Enrolled in the designated high school during the current lacrosse season and championship.

b.     On the active roster of the designated high school club for at least 50% of the games in the current season.

c.      A member in good standing of US Lacrosse.

d.     A member in good standing with their local Regional Authority.

2.     An athlete may play for a another high school team if (all must apply):

a.     The Regional Authority approved of the player placement during the current season.

b.     There is no club at the player’s home school or closer to his/her home.

c.      The player has not played more than 50%of the scheduled games for any other school-based club during the current season.

 We look forward to seeing you
back next year at the
2012 Subway
Commonwealth Games!
July 20-22, 2012