SPARKS, Md. – For nearly a decade, USA Lacrosse has offered an age verification service to member leagues and events. The service has gained momentum over the last 18 months as USA Lacrosse works in collaboration with programs and event operators around the country. Here are four things to know about age verification and USA Lacrosse.

USA Lacrosse, a Recognized Sports Organization by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the U.S. representative to the sport’s international federation (World Lacrosse), is leading the effort to establish a Lacrosse Equipment Council (LEC). The LEC will provide a more formalized structure for stakeholders to discuss equipment needs and establish a framework for objective review of all equipment.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) made this statement in support of the LEC.

The 2025 USA Lacrosse Youth Nationals, a premier tournament for the nation’s top girls’ club lacrosse teams, will be held at Cedar Lane Regional Park in Bel Air, Md., from July 15-16, 2025. Top of the Bay Sports and USA Lacrosse will work in conjunction to administer this year’s tournament. It's the fifth straight year that Top of the Bay has been involved with the event.

The fourth annual National Celebrate Lacrosse Week opens with a series of USA Lacrosse Pick Up & Play clinics this weekend. These free clinics are designed as a first-time introduction to the sport for youth players and USA Lacrosse works with programs around the country to help create pathways to play coming out of the clinics.

A total of 87 Pick Up & Play clinics, led by 67 organizations and spread across 27 states will be offered during this year’s National Celebrate Lacrosse Week.

A common saying in the quest for lacrosse growth is that a rising tide lifts all ships.

That’s a philosophy embraced by True Lacrosse, a national club program that boasts more than 500 teams in 23 states. As part of its overall philosophy, True Lacrosse embraces its players participating in their local community programs whenever possible.

Derek Reinhold sat in his car while his oldest son, Alexander, practiced with the Junior Waterdogs team ahead of the PLL Junior Championships round robin earlier this month.

While sitting there, the North Wales, Pa., resident completed USA Lacrosse’s age verification for his younger son, Dimitrios.

Reinhold opened his USA Lacrosse account on his phone and scrolled to Dimitrios’ profile.

He clicked “Edit Age Verification.”

He loaded a saved image of Dimitrios’ birth certificate.

It took less than 90 seconds.

It’s no secret that the history of lacrosse is quite unique and features a deep spiritual connection to Native American culture. Natives believe that lacrosse was gifted to them by the Creator, with purposes that extend beyond just fun and recreation.

A little over a year ago, USA Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse Federation announced a partnership to bring age verification to boys’ club lacrosse. After launching with pilot events run by Prime Time Lacrosse and MADLAX last fall and winter, USA Lacrosse’s age verification program has made significant strides in the first spring and summer of implementation in concert with the NLF.

WHAT IS AGE VERIFICATION?

As a second year player for the PLL’s Boston Cannons, Ethan Rall has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier long stick midfielders, earning second team All-Pro honors as a rookie in 2023. He was also a three-time All-American LSM at Rutgers who graduated as the school’s all-time leader with 85 caused turnovers.

Over the last several years, True Lacrosse has evolved into one of the largest organizations in the sport. True Lacrosse now has more than 500 teams in 23 states – stretching from coast to coast.