MEMORANDUM - Participation in Non Sanctioned Lacrosse Activity

At the SLA Board Meeting that took place on Monday, April 26^th, 2021, after months of review and discussion, the SLA Board of Directors passed policies regarding participation in Non-Sanctioned Activity.    The SLA Board of Directors is dedicated to integral growth of the game, part of which is protecting SLA sanctioned programming that is made possible by our hard-working volunteers, and that aligns with the strategic direction of player development aligning with the Long-Term Athlete Development pathway, creating opportunities for all our youth across the Province.  The SLA Board of Directors recognizes that individuals have the right to decide in the type of programming they wish to participate, however the SLA must protect the integrity of its sanctioned programs and Lacrosse season.  These policies also respect that our sanctioned Private Entities put a lot of work into becoming properly sanctioned to offer integral programming during the Lacrosse season that abides by all policies in place by the SLA and Lacrosse Canada.   The policies are submitted with this memorandum, however there are a couple important points to note:

1. Disciplinary measures for participating in Non-Sanctioned activity is only when members take part between April 1^st and October 31^st annually as that is what is defined as the Lacrosse season.  Participation between November 1^st and March 31^st annually or the “Off Season” will NOT result in any disciplinary action.  The rationale is this will protect our season and the integral growth of the game, while not eliminating other options during the off season.
2. Due to the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic and the uncertainty it is causing for the season, these policies will NOT take effect until NOVEMBER 1^st, 2021.   Therefore, it will not affect any Members until April 1^st, 2022, as between November 1^st and March 31^st there is no disciplinary measures for members taking part in non-sanctioned activity.   By delaying the start date of these policies, the rationale is it will provide a smoother transition, especially during these chaotic times as we work through a global pandemic.  The Board of Directors also hope it gives any impacted programs proper time to make changes/ arrangements to run their programs during the designated November to April months to prevent conflict for players.
3. SLA groups can still do activities during the “off season (November 1^st to March 31^st), they just need to submit a sanction request as any normal activity for insurance purposes, and with any activity a MA/AMA puts on send us information so we can share to the membership and on social channels and we hope that our families will support our sanctioned programming.

The SLA Board of Directors understands there have been lots of questions to MA’s/AMA’s regarding participation in non-sanctioned activity, especially in the last few months, and they would like to thank everyone for their patience.  Due to the nature of these policies, it was imperative that appointed delegates take time to do their due diligence and properly review all options and discuss with colleagues from other Lacrosse communities and other sports.  Beneath the policies is a FAQ sheet which hopefully will provide some additional clarity.

1.16.3   Non-Sanctioned Activity Participation - The SLA is dedicated to integral growth of the game, and part of that is protecting our sanctioned programming that aligns with the Strategic Direction of player development.  The SLA recognizes that individuals have the right to decide in the type of programming they wish to participate, however the SLA must protect the integrity of our sanctioned programs and Lacrosse season.

1.16.3.1 The definition of non-sanctioned programming or activity is defined as programs/groups/teams that actively do not seek, pass, or obtain an SLA sanction for their event/program/team.   Determining whether a program or activity is sanctioned or not is at the discretion of the SLA Board of Directors and SLA Policies

1.16.3.2 The SLA defines its season from April 1^st to October 31^st annually, the below policies are in effect for participation in non-sanctioned programming during those months.   Participation in non-sanctioned programming between November 1^st and March 31^st does not fall under these policies or disciplinary measures.

1.16.3.3 Any disciplinary action that results in an individual being indefinitely barred as an SLA member will result in them being barred to act in any sort of membership which is defined as a player, coach, official, any other position held under the SLA (Board Member, local or Provincial, team official such as manager, league administrator), and any other position deemed by the SLA Board of Directors.  Disciplinary action that results in an individual being indefinitely barred as an SLA member from the below policies will be held in both Box and Field and any other Sector of Lacrosse deemed by the SLA Board of Directors.  Appeals to any disciplinary action will follow the SLA Appeals Process except for the 14-day time limit, opportunity to appeal for any indefinite suspension from the below policies will have no time limit.

1.16.3.4 Officials - the SLA spends a lot of time and funds on developing our Officials, so the expectation is they are focused on SLA Sanctioned Programming during the season which also ensures the proper development of their skill set.  Any Official who takes part in unsanctioned activity during the Lacrosse season will face the following disciplinary actions.

              16.3.4.1     1^st Offense - The Official will be suspended for the remainder of the season.          

              16.3.4.2     2^nd Offense - The Official will be suspended for 6 months and will not be eligible to apply to represent Saskatchewan at National and World   Championships for 1 year.

              16.3.4.3      3^rd Offense - The Official will be indefinitely barred as a member of the SLA. 

1.16.3.5 Coaches - the SLA spends a lot of time and funds on developing our Coaches, so the expectation is they are committed to the integral growth of the sport and focusing on SLA Sanctioned Programming during the season.  Any Coaches who take part in unsanctioned activity during the lacrosse season will be indefinitely barred as a member of the SLA.

16.3.6 Players - Players who participate in a non-sanctioned program/activity between April 1^st and October 31st will be immediately suspended for the remainder of the season.   If players would like to return to SLA Sanctioned Programming for the next Lacrosse season, they will need to apply for a concession by February 1^st of the following year for re-installment to register.   The SLA will work with the players home Member Association/Association Member Association to decide if concessions will be granted.   Additionally:

              16.3.6.1 Players who participate with a non-sanctioned program during the Lacrosse season, will not be able to participate in any high-performance program (A League, JR. A. and JR. B Tier 1,                  Team Sask Program, Canada Games) for one year, after an approved concession.

              16.3.6.2 Parents of players participating in non-sanctioned activity during the Lacrosse season is subject to indefinite suspension from being a registered team official within the SLA and ineligible                 to be a member of any Lacrosse Association Board of Directors or league executive.  Whether a parent receives an indefinite suspension will be at the discretion of the SLA Board of Directors                       and home MA/AMA

16.3.7 Team Official (Manager)/Team or League Administrators/Board of Directors - any individual acting as a Team Official/Team or League Administrator/Board of Directors or any other administrative position deemed by the SLA Board of Directors for any non-sanctioned entity during the Lacrosse season will be indefinitely barred as a member of the SLA.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can my child play both SLA Sanctioned Activities and Non-Sanctioned Lacrosse activities at the same time during the defined Lacrosse season?

• No.   Any participation in Non-Sanctioned activity between April 1^st and October 31^st will be subjective to disciplinary measures as laid out in the policies.  Participation in Non-Sanctioned activity between November 1^st and March 31^st will not be subjective to disciplinary measures as laid out in the policies.

Can our MA/AMA/Program still apply for a sanction or offer sanctioned Lacrosse programs/activities between November 1^st and March 31^st?

• Yes, SLA Membership can apply for sanctions for anytime during the year, and all registered MA/AMA’s need to receive a sanction for any activity they offer to ensure proper insurance coverage. (MA/AMA can not use our insurance for any activity they do not receive a sanction/approval for)

If there is a dispute over whether a program is Sanctioned or Non-Sanctioned, who makes the determination?

• The SLA Board of Directors and Staff have the absolute discretion to define a program as Sanctioned or Non-Sanctioned.
• Private Entities that offer programming during the Lacrosse season which have been approved by the SLA are not considered Non-Sanctioned Lacrosse Programming as if they are approved, they have completed all the steps to become a Sanctioned Entity under the SLA.  The SLA currently has two sanctioned private entities.

If my child takes part in Non-Sanctioned activity during the Lacrosse season, can they return to play under the SLA the next Lacrosse season?

• Yes, they can with an approved concession application providing the MA/AMA accepts the players registration. However, they would be restricted from high performance programs for one year from an approved concession.

If my child takes part in Non-Sanctioned activity between November 1^st and March 31st, can they return to play under the SLA the next Lacrosse season?

• Yes, and they will not need a concession and will not be restricted from High Performance programs as there is no disciplinary actions for taking part in a non sanctioned activity between those months. Parents should be weary though that any non sanctioned activity is not covered under SLA insurance and Coaches/Volunteers are not being screened by the SLA.

If my child participates in Non-Sanctioned programs after April 1^st, and wants to return to programs under the SLA at any point before October 31^st in the same season are they permitted to take part?

• No, they are done for the year and they will need to apply for a concession to take part in the next Lacrosse season by February 1^st.

If a Non-Sanctioned Group planned their programs for the off season but needed to do try outs during the Lacrosse season, would players still be penalized for attending try outs, even though the activity is planned for the off season?

• The SLA is willing to work with groups to review these one-off situations if groups reach out to the SLA in advance.

If I am coaching a Non-Sanctioned team/activity, can I coach a team in SLA Sanctioned programming?

• No, Coaches are making the cognitive decision to take part in these programs and will be indefinitely barred as a member, which includes memberships as a player, official or any other position.     Coaches can appeal being indefinitely suspended at any time, included years after being suspended.   It will be at the discretion of the SLA Appeal committee once an appeal is received if they are able to be reinstated.

If I officiate Non-Sanctioned game/activity during the Lacrosse season, may I still officiate in SLA sanctioned events and Lacrosse Canada events?

• Not right away.  For the first offense officials are suspended for the remainder of the season.  Timing of when an Official becomes suspended will determine if they are eligible to take part in National/World Championships, if the suspension falls under the months that Nationals/Worlds take place the official will not be able to participate.  For the second offense officials are suspended for 6 months and from applying to officiate National/World Championships for one year.   For the third offense officials are barred indefinitely.

If I am indefinitely barred from SLA sanctioned activity what is the process to attempt to be reinstated so that I can participate in future SLA sanctioned programming?

• Individuals who are indefinitely barred from these policies can apply for an appeal at anytime.  The SLA Appeal Procedure is in the Operations Manual and must be followed if you wish to be reinstated from the indefinitely barred decision.

Can players participate in Non-Sanctioned activity during the Lacrosse season and High-Performance Programming such as “A” Leagues, Jr. and Jr. B Tier 2 leagues, Team Sask Program and Canada Games team?

• No. Access to these programs is a privilege that is offered to and reserved for the players who support sanctioned programs. Even if a concession is approved, players would be ineligible for High Performance Programming for the 1 year from time of approved concession.

If my child plays within a Non-Sanctioned Lacrosse program or I Coach/Manage a team within a Non-Sanctioned Lacrosse program, can I access SLA insurance?

• No.

If my child plays take part Non-Sanctioned Lacrosse activity during the Lacrosse season and then has a concession approved to take part in the next Lacrosse season, can I serve on my local Lacrosse Association Board?

• That will be at the discretion of the SLA Board of Directors and home MA/AMA.