Lacrosse…. You’ve probably heard that word before. Maybe you pictured an expensive sport that few people play. Well, thankfully that’s not true. The fact is this sport is getting major attention from colleges and high schools all around the U.S.

Lacrosse is a quick-paced sport that was originally played by the Native Americans. Over the years it has been modified, but the main principle is still the same: ten players take the field and try to score points by throwing a small ball into a goal. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t overly expensive to play. The equipment is about the same cost as softball equipment and can be used over many seasons.

Over the past decade, women’s lacrosse has grown especially fast. According to CBS news, it is actually the fastest growing high school sport in America. The US Lacrosse survey showed it brought more than 2,000 high school female players in 2014, an increase of about 31% from 2009. High school participation went from 9,744 to 188,689 in 2014. Why then has Alabama not sanctioned this growing sport?

There are many reasons but mostly the AHSAA (Alabama High School Athletic Association) is worried about the relatively small number of teams. A lot of lacrosse teams in Alabama is a club, not sponsored by a school.

This problem arises when any sport is trying to become officially supported by the state. It needs to have a major amount of schools to participating yet schools don’t like to create teams before it becomes sanctioned. Women’s soccer actually ran into this same setback in the late 1980’s when the AHSAA wouldn’t sanction the sport.

So what do we do? With dramatic proof that women’s lacrosse is growing rapidly throughout the U.S. (22 states have already sanctioned the sport.) we can’t ignore it. Even colleges are beginning to see this change and are starting official lacrosse teams all over Alabama. UAH announced last year their own boy’s and girl’s teams. Sophomore student, Savannah Brown, agrees that its time to have a women’s Lacrosse team saying “It would be good to have student’s involved in this new sport.”

Currently, there are two women’s lacrosse teams in Madison County, but it is still only a club sport. The Madison girl’s lacrosse team is called the Jets, but they still have to pay to use JC’s fields.

The fact is we don’t want to be left behind. With the rate this sport is gaining speed, women’s lacrosse will be in schools all over the U.S. very soon. The men’s lacrosse teams in Madison have been invited to play-offs for three consecutive years. How far could we go if Bob Jones also sponsored a women’s team?

Spring registration for lacrosse will begin soon so check out huntsvillelax.org if you’re interested. No previous experience is required and there is a beginner’s clinic every fall.