Parent Overview
The content below is from the "Welcome email" that we send to all parents before the start of the upcoming season. The content is updated each year; the version below is for the 2025 Spring season. Stay tuned for the forthcoming email for this year!
Greetings WYL Families!
Welcome to the Spring 2025 Westwood Youth Lacrosse Season! Below you will find an overview which will be helpful to keep for future reference. Please take the time to read it over so you and your son are well-informed and well-prepared for a great season of lacrosse!
Communications
WYL Emails: Westwood Youth Lacrosse league-wide communications will be sent via email using our website notification system. Messages will arrive from the address mailer@demosphere.com. Please add this address to your contacts to ensure you receive messages.
Website: Please also refer to our website, WestwoodYouthLacrosse.com for answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful information.
TeamSnap & Coach Emails: Team-specific communications will come from your coach. WYL will make TeamSnap available for coaches to use for family communications in addition to email. Your coach will let you know at the start of the season how they prefer to communicate.
Practices
Regular outdoor practices will start in mid to late March, as soon as the town has officially opened the fields. Please note, field conditions dictate when the fields can open; we're at the mercy of mother nature and our New England weather! Full equipment is required at all practices.
We are still awaiting field assignments from the Recreation Department but anticipate that players will practice on Tuesday and Thursday after 6pm. Final specific times and fields will be communicated by your coach once field are confirmed.
Games
Classic games are held on Sundays between 8am and 6pm. Our first games will be on 3/30 and last games will be on 6/1. No classic games will be held on Easter Sunday or Memorial Day weekend. Sunday field availability in Westwood is limited, so each team will have at least 4 away games. We expect the game schedule to be set toward the end of the March. Once schedules are set, your coach will communicate your team's game schedule.
Field Information
- Flahive: Main turf field at the High School right on Nahatan Street
- Multipurpose: Turf field behind the High School
- Thurston: Grass fields behind the Middle School
- Sheehan: Grass fields adjacent to the Sheehan School on Pond Street
An Important Note about Fields and Schedules
Fields are in high demand in Westwood. We are fortunate to have field time at Flahive, Multipurpose and Thurston. But, it is important to note that High School and Middle School Athletics my preempt WYL on these fields from time to time. As a result, our schedule will always be subject to changes and coaches will communicate changes as early as possible.
Equipment
Prior to attending his first practice, your son will need the equipment outlined here. Please note, all players are required to wear a chest protector that is designed for lacrosse and meets the NOCSAE standard ND200. For more information, please refer to this FAQ page on the USA Lacrosse website. Please take care when purchasing chest protectors, especially used.
Uniforms and the WYL apparel store
If you ordered a uniform during registration, it will be mailed directly to your home from our uniform vendor, Atlantic Sportswear. For any questions regarding uniforms, please reach out to Ana Maria Alexander at anamaria.alexander@gmail.com.
Did you know that WYL has a custom apparel store? Visit our team page here!.
Team formation & assignments
Teams are being formed now and you should be hearing from your son's coach by mid-March. For G12 teams, we work to group players on teams with their classmates roughly by elementary school. For G34, G56 and G78& Classic teams, head coaches from each level collaborate to create balanced teams to ensure a positive experience for all players and optimal player development program-wide.
Parent & Spectator Guidelines
Parents and players are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the Westwood Youth Lacrosse Code of Conduct at all times while attending games and practices. A copy of the code is located on the website. Please read and familiarize yourself and your players with the code.
As a reminder, parents should refrain from coaching from the sidelines, and parents/spectators may not speak to referees, regardless of feelings about the game.
Anyone not following the code of conduct will not be allowed to attend Westwood Youth Lacrosse games and practices.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your son's team placement, coaches, playing time, or other issues, please wait 24 hours and contact WYL President Tim Nicosia at tnicosia@gmail.com to set up a call to discuss. Please do not approach a coach immediately after a game or practice.
Most importantly, enjoy watching your sons work hard, play the game, and become great teammates.
Call for Volunteers
Westwood Youth Lacrosse is a 100% volunteer-run organization and is always looking for dedicated volunteers. It's a great way to get involved in your community, get to know other families, and help give our boys a great lacrosse experience. Currently we are eager to hear from anyone interested in helping out in on of the following areas:
Board & Administrative Positions: With several current board members' sons aging out of the program this Spring and next, we're seeking volunteers with younger sons in the program to ensure a smooth transition. Upcoming openings include:
- Director of Technology (WYL website and TeamSnap administration)
- Director of Coaching
- Director of Community Events and Engagement
- Registrar
- Publicity & Communications Coordinator
Community Building & Social Committees: Help choose, coordinate and plan community-building and player-enrichment events such as:
- Spring Player Service Projects (Food Drive, Memorial Day Veteran Flag Placement)
- Special Teams (MYL Jamboree, Winter Leagues, etc)
- G12 Memorial Jamboree (Multi-town Jamboree hosted in Westwood one Sunday in June to benefit charity)
- League Outings & Player Experiences (Local College Games, PLL Games at Gillette with tailgates & special fan experiences for players)
- Have an idea for another way you'd like to get involved? We'd love to hear from you.
Interested? Reach out to Tim Nicosia to let us know!
Looking forward to seeing you on the fields soon!