Welcome to the Winter '26 edition of the Inside Feed–connecting members of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and keeping you up to date on the latest news. This publication is intended to increase the level of knowledge club executive members have about what's happening around the association.

Ontario Lacrosse is excited to share its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan on Saturday at 9:00am during the OLA Semi-Annual General Meeting.

 

Over the past several months, we have undertaken an inclusive and collaborative planning process to help shape the next five years of lacrosse in Ontario. The process began with an interactive focus group session at the 2025 SAGM, where members from across all sectors reflected on the accomplishments and challenges of the current Strategic Plan and participated in aspiration mapping for the future.

 

That work was expanded through a province-wide member survey, ensuring voices from across the lacrosse community helped inform the priorities, values, and direction of the 2026–2030 plan.

 

The 2020–2025 Strategic Plan began during a global pandemic, yet over the past five years Ontario Lacrosse has made significant progress. The 2026–2030 Strategic Plan builds on that foundation and sets the direction for continued growth, innovation, and leadership in the years ahead.

 

We look forward to building the future of the game together — thank you for your ongoing support and engagement! 

 

 

The 2026 OLA Semi-Annual General Meeting (SAGM) is set for February 27–28, 2026 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre.

 

This event brings together club leaders, volunteers, and lacrosse advocates from across the province for a weekend of connection, collaboration, and learning — equipping you with fresh ideas and practical strategies to elevate your organization and strengthen the sport across Ontario.

 

Saturday is dedicated to Ontario Lacrosse University — a series of professional development sessions. Here’s a preview of a few sessions you won’t want to miss:

 

👩🏻‍💻 Women in Sport Leadership

📱 GameSheet Teams+ App

🎒 OLA School Program

💰 How Clubs Can Access Tax-Receipted Donations

🥍 U7 Game Day!

🏆 Coaching Boys Into Men

🎯 Recruiting Myths and Realities 

 

Clubs are encouraged and reminded that they are able to send unlimited representatives to attend professional development sessions. 

 

Registration deadline: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

 

Ontario Lacrosse is pleased to announce several new team additions and promotions that will expand junior and senior competition across the province for the 2026 season.

 

The approvals were granted by the OLA Board of Directors at its meeting on December 6, 2025, following a review of the applications submitted. These decision align with the

OLA’s mandate to oversee and support the delivery of structured, sustainable lacrosse programming across the province.

 

The Elora Hawks have been approved for promotion to the Ontario Junior “A” Lacrosse League (OJLL) for the 2026 season. The move expands the OJLL to twelve teams and recognizes Centre Wellington’s strong, established development pathway. 

 

The Gloucester Griffins and West Grey Rampage will compete in the Ontario Junior “C” Lacrosse League (OJCLL) beginning in 2026. Both programs build on established minor systems and strengthen community-based junior opportunities. 

 

The Trenton Kodiaks will join Ontario Series Lacrosse as a Senior “B” program in 2026, expanding senior-level opportunities in the Quinte region. 

 

The Kitchener Kodiaks have been approved to compete in Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMLS) for 2026, bringing the league to twelve teams and strengthening senior women’s box lacrosse in Ontario. 

Ontario Lacrosse is proud to announce the introduction of Girls Rep Box Lacrosse at the U11 age division beginning in 2026. This change officially shifts the entry point for Girls Box and creates earlier opportunity within the provincial development pathway.

 

Momentum behind Girls Box continues to build across the province. Interest from clubs has been significant, with preliminary team entries showing U11 participation comparable to last season’s U17 and U22 divisions. With strong early uptake, this is an ideal opportunity for clubs to establish or expand their Girls Box programming. 

 

For clubs considering participation, Girls Box closely mirrors existing Rep Box programming and includes league play (Zone and Inter-Zone games), tournaments, and a season culminating at the Ontario Lacrosse Festival, August 4–6, where the first U11 Girls Box Provincial Champions will be crowned. 🏆

 

Clubs interested in learning more about Girls Box are encouraged to contact Donelle Latimer, Girls Box Coordinator, at girlsbox@ontariolacrosse.com.

 

Officiating clinic registration for 2026 is now open — and we’re asking clubs to help spread the word within your association. Whether brand new or returning, officiating is a great way to stay involved in the game, develop leadership skills, and be part of the Ontario Lacrosse officiating team.

 

✔️ Minimum age is 14 across all sectors
✔️ Individuals who are turning 14 in 2026 are eligible to register

 

We’ve created ready-to-use social media graphics for Box, Field, and Women’s Field that your club can download here and share directly with members.

 

Visit ontariolacrosse.com/officiating for more information and clinic registration.

Coaching clinic registration for 2026 is now open. Please note that registration for each session closes one week prior to the scheduled clinic date.

 

✔️ Coaches must be at least 16 years of age
✔️ Coaches must be at least two years older than the division they are coaching

 

 

For the 2026 season, the following requirements apply to all bench personnel:

Visit ontariolacrosse.com/coaching for more information and clinic registration.

Ontario Lacrosse has confirmed the dates and locations for the 2026 “A” Qualifiers.

The top U13, U15, and U17 teams — based on MyLAX Rankings — will compete in a full round-robin format over two weekends in July.

 

Weekend 1
📍 Orangeville, ON
🗓 July 10–12

 

Weekend 2
📍 Whitby, ON
🗓 July 24–26

 

Following the two “A” Qualifiers, the top U13 and U15 teams will advance to the Final Six “A” Provincial Championships, taking place August 6–8 in Whitby during the Ontario Lacrosse Festival. The U17 “A” Champion will be crowned at the Ontario Summer Games in Kitchener, July 30–August 2.

 

Visit olafinalsix.com for more information.

Ontario Lacrosse has confirmed the divisional dates for the 2026 Ontario Lacrosse Festival taking place from July 31 - August 9 in the Durham Region:

 

U9 Division
🗓 August 2 – 4

 

U11 Division
🗓 August 7 – 9

 

U13 “B/C/D/E/F” Division
🗓 July 31 – August 2

 

U15 “B/C/D/E” Division
🗓 July 31 – August 2

 

U17 “B/C/D/E” Division
🗓 August 7 – 9

 

U22 Division
🗓 August 4 – 6

 

Girls Box Divisions
🗓 August 4 – 6

 

Visit ontariolacrossefestival.com for more information in the coming months.