Box Lacrosse House League (Burlington Minor Lacrosse)

Welcome to "IGNITE"
BMLA House League Program 2026

IGNITE the season with Burlington Minor Lacrosse Association (BMLA) —where passion meets purpose and community comes alive. From first-time players taking their very first steps on the floor to seasoned athletes sharpening their skills, our House League is built on energy, inclusion, and growth. This is fast-paced box lacrosse in a fun, supportive environment that develops confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong love of the game. The fire starts here—and everyone is welcome to be part of it.

IGNITE is all about fun, friendship, and development in a positive, family-friendly environment. Our spring house league runs from May through the end of June, giving players the chance to stay active, build confidence, and enjoy the game of lacrosse alongside teammates and friends.

🏟 Opening Weekend: Saturday, May 2, 2026
📍 Appleby Arena

🏟 Closing Weekend: Saturday, June 20, 2026
📍 Appleby Arena

All practices and games are planned to take place at Appleby Arena (Floors 1 and 2), keeping everything in one convenient location for families. We’re looking forward to a great season and can’t wait to welcome players and families back to the floor.

2026 Tentative Schedule

*Please note that U5, U7 and U15 will begin Thursday April 29, 2026

NOTE: All times are tentative until registration is finalized.  

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Kindling (U5 Program of Soft Lacrosse, 2022-2023 Birth Years)

 

Where the spark begins.

Kindling is our introductory, play‑based program designed for the youngest members of our lacrosse family. Rooted in fun, movement, and imagination, Kindling gives new athletes a positive first experience with the sport. Through simple games, basic lacrosse skills, and lots of smiles, Kindling helps ignite curiosity, build coordination, and foster confidence on and off the floor.

As players grow, their spark can take them anywhere. After Kindling, athletes can continue in our House League pathway—staying active, social, and skill‑building in a supportive environment—or explore the competitive Rep stream as their passion and readiness develop.

Build the spark. Play. Smile. Learn.

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Registration Steps:

Participants can register HERE

• Create a new account, or sign-in to your existing account

• Select 'New Registration'

• Select the '2026 Box Season' tab

• Select the appropriate House League division

• For U5 participants, select 'BOX Soft Lacrosse'

• For U7 participants, select 'Paperweight HL'

Additional Information:

• U5 - Helmet and gloves only
• U7-U15 - Full lacrosse equipment required.
  • Information on equipment requirements can be found HERE
• U7 - Participants will have the opportunity to register for an addition Jr. Blaze weekly clinics starting in May (additional cost) and our U7 select team (additional cost)

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Safety & Contact Guidelines

Player safety is our highest priority and is built into every level of our House League programming.

• U5 is an introductory non-contact program focused on fun, movement, and learning the basics of the game.

• U7 follows OLA-governed modified contact rules, with no cross-checking or body checking, allowing players to learn in a controlled and age-appropriate way.

• U9 and older play in a contact league, with rules designed to promote safe, fair, and respectful play.

As players progress, contact is introduced gradually and taught properly. Practices include age-appropriate drills that focus on safe, legal contact, proper defensive positioning, and how to give, receive, and avoid contact correctly. Early sessions also include education on what infractions look like so players can recognize and avoid unsafe situations.

Full lacrosse equipment must be worn correctly at all times. Coaches and OLA-certified referees actively monitor equipment, behaviour, and gameplay to ensure safety standards are consistently met. When penalties occur, they are treated as part of the learning process, with clear instruction and follow-up from coaching staff and officials. Any behaviour that puts another player at risk will not be tolerated.

If you have any questions or concerns about contact or safety, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Adam at [email protected]

Referees

All games are officiated by OLA-certified referees who regularly work both House League and Rep games within the Burlington area. Our approach to officiating is built on clear expectations, consistent rule enforcement, and a strong focus on player safety.

By eliminating “grey areas” around penalty calls, referees help create a predictable, fair environment where players can learn the game, parents know what to expect, and safe play is always the priority.

Coaches & Volunteers Wanted

House League is powered by parents, and no previous lacrosse or coaching experience is required. Many of our best coaches are parents who volunteered for the first time. If you’re new to the sport, don’t worry—you’ll be supported throughout the season.

Why Coach?

• Be directly involved in your child’s lacrosse experience

• Learn the game alongside your player

• Help create a fun, positive team environment

• Build friendships with other families in the program

• Make a meaningful impact on player development and confidence

New to Coaching? You're not Alone

First-time coaches receive guidance, resources, and support from the House League committee. You’ll have clear expectations, help with practice planning, and the option to coach alongside one other parent as an assistant coach, making it a shared and rewarding experience.

New for 2026 – Coach Incentive

As a thank-you for volunteering, House League coaches who commit in advance of the season will receive a 50% reimbursement of their child’s registration fee at the end of the season (limit of two coaches per team).

If you’re interested in coaching, please email [email protected] and include your child’s name. Your willingness to get involved helps make House League a welcoming, fun, and successful experience for every player and family.

Creating Teams

Our goal is to create a fun, fair, and competitive House League experience for all players. When forming teams, we focus on balanced rosters by considering a mix of age (Major and Minor players), playing experience, and time spent in the league. This helps ensure games are enjoyable, development-focused, and competitive for everyone.

While we do our best to finalize teams before the season begins, small adjustments may be needed early in the season to maintain balance. Any changes are made thoughtfully and always with the best interests of the players and teams in mind.

Friend Requests

We understand how important it is for players to feel comfortable and excited to play. The House League committee is happy to honour one mutual friend request per player, as long as it does not affect overall team balance.

Friend requests should be emailed to [email protected]

To support busy families, all age groups are typically scheduled on the floor at the same time on the same nights, making it easier to coordinate carpooling, sibling schedules, and family support throughout the season.

Season Format

Each team gets one hour of floor time during the week for practice and skill development, and one-hour games on weekends. All practices and games are planned at the same venue, with all teams in the same age group on the floor at the same time—making carpooling and family schedules easier.

Our House League is designed for fun, skill-building, and confidence, while also giving motivated players a solid foundation if they want to move into Rep lacrosse. Players develop the fundamental skills, game awareness, and teamwork needed to thrive in OLA tournaments and higher-level play. It’s a great place for kids to grow, learn, and get ready for the next level—at their own pace.

 

Get Involved – Make a Difference!

House League isn’t just for players—parents who get involved gain just as much. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other families, support your child’s team, and help make the season fun and memorable for everyone.

Opportunities include:

• Supporting the bench during games – helping with equipment, water, and keeping players ready

• Swinging the door – opening and closing the bench/change room doors during player shifts

• Organizing post-game team snacks – keeping everyone fueled and happy after the game

Even small contributions make a big difference, and volunteering is a great way to connect with other families and be part of the action.

We’re also looking for key leadership volunteers:

• VP of House League: Help run and convene weekend games.

• Age Group Convenors: Assist with organizing teams and practices. Volunteers who sign up before the season will receive 100% of their child’s registration fees refunded at the end of the season!

Interested? Reach out today and join the Burlington Blaze family!
📧 Email Adam at [email protected]

Your time helps build a stronger program, a safer environment, and a closer community—and it’s a lot of fun too!