Eligibility
Waivers & league rules
Boys and girls rec lacrosse in Oregon are run by two different leagues, each with its own rules about which program a player can join. This page explains those rules. It isn't an invitation to apply for a waiver.
Pending OYL and OGLA approval.
Before you read on
Play where you live
Portland Saints Youth Lacrosse is a rec club at heart. We believe in what OYL and OGLA protect: kids playing with their neighbors and classmates, every club fielding full teams, and a league that stays balanced.
If your child can play for the club where you live, that's where we encourage them to play. Strong local clubs are good for every player in Oregon, including ours.
We share this information so families understand the rules. We aren't asking anyone to apply for a waiver or transfer, and we don't recruit players from other clubs. Expect a request to be denied unless your situation clearly fits the narrow reasons below.
Boys · Rec season
OYL rules
OYL governs boys youth lacrosse in Oregon and supports the recreational game only. Its residency rules exist to keep the rec league balanced, so players stay with the club where they live.
- A player's primary residence decides which youth club they can play for: the club that feeds the high school assigned to their home address.
- OYL doesn't allow free agency. Must pick a club in their geographic jurisdiction in order to support a balanced recreational league.
- There are exceptions for private schools that run their own youth programs.
- No player may play for a club in a different district from where they live without a written waiver from the OYL Board.
- Clubs can be sanctioned for rostering players who live outside their boundaries without a waiver.
- These rules cover the rec season. OYL doesn't set regional or club-based requirements for select teams.
When a boys waiver may be considered
Waivers are the exception, not a path to choose a club. OYL's Board decides each request individually and doesn't publish a fixed list of reasons. Requests are generally considered only in circumstances like these:
May be considered
- Financial hardship that keeps a player from playing for his home club
- His home club doesn't field a team for his grade
- A custody arrangement that splits his time between homes in different club areas
- A documented health or safety concern
Not grounds for a waiver
- Wanting to play with friends or classmates
- Preferring our coaches, practice times or location
- Looking for a stronger or more competitive team. That's what club lacrosse is for.
If a waiver fits your situation
Only start this if your son's situation clearly fits the reasons above. Your home club has to agree first, and the OYL Board has the final say.
Find your home club
Look up the youth club that feeds the public high school assigned to your home address. OYL's "How to Find Your Club" page lists every member club.
Request a waiver
Contact that club and ask for a written waiver (release) so your son can play for the Portland Saints.
Send it to us
Email the waiver to us. We'll submit it to the OYL Board, which must approve it in writing.
Register
Once the waiver is approved, your son can be added to a Saints rec roster.
- OYL doesn't publish a waiver deadline. Don't count on a waiver when making plans for the season.
Beyond the rec season
Rec vs. club lacrosse
Rec leagues and club lacrosse are different things. OYL and OGLA run the spring rec season, where teams are tied to where players live.
The most competitive boys lacrosse in Oregon is played at the club level, by travel programs that hold tryouts and draw players from across the region. Club teams aren't bound by rec residency rules.
Saints clinics and select teams are open to everyone, with no waiver or transfer needed.
Girls · Rec season
OGLA rules
OGLA governs youth and high school girls lacrosse in Oregon. Growing the game is at the heart of its mission, including building strong youth programs for elementary and middle school players.
- If a player's geographic area has a program, she must play for that program.
- If her area has no program, or no team for her age, OGLA helps find a program she can transfer to.
- Each youth program is responsible for making sure its players live within the program's boundary.
- All youth transfers must be approved by OGLA. Agreements between coaches or program admins don't count.
- Schedule conflicts aren't an acceptable reason for a transfer.
- Every player must be a registered USA Lacrosse member for the whole season.
When a girls transfer may be approved
OGLA's rules are built around girls playing for the program in their area. Transfers are generally approved only when:
May be considered
- Her area has no youth program
- Her area's program has no team for her age
Not grounds for a transfer
- Schedule conflicts
- An informal agreement between coaches or program admins
- Wanting to play with friends or for a particular coach
If a transfer fits your situation
Unlike the boys league, families don't collect a waiver themselves. If her situation fits the reasons above, the program files a transfer request with OGLA.
Tell us where you live
Let us know your home school district, your assigned public school, and the school your daughter attends.
We file the request
Our youth admin completes OGLA's Player Transfer Request for your daughter and sends it to OGLA.
OGLA reviews it
OGLA reviews transfer requests in rounds through the winter and early spring and makes the final decision.
Register
Once OGLA approves the transfer, your daughter can be added to a Saints rec roster.
- OGLA's current transfer form lists review dates of February 1, February 22 and April 1. Earlier is better.
- OGLA's rules have no separate private school exception for youth players.
League rules change from season to season. We summarize them here to help families plan, but each league's own documents are the final word. Questions? Email hello@saintslax.com.
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