U15C Lacrosse Re-Evaluation for Division Placement
Nicole Gaythorpe 0

U15C Lacrosse Re-Evaluation for Division Placement

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We, the undersigned parents and/or guardians of athletes in the Youth Lacrosse U15 C division, write to express serious concerns regarding the continued placement of the Sunshine Coast U15C team in the C division particularly as we approach the upcoming provincial competition in July.

Throughout the 2024–2025 season, teams across multiple associations have experienced disproportionate losses, physical injuries, and significant safety concerns in games played against the Sunshine Coast team. The physical dominance and aggressiveness clearly indicate that this team has been misclassified and should be competing in a higher division.

The Sunshine Coast team won 13 of 16 games this season, including 3 by forfeit for safety concerns. They tied 1 game and lost 2—both of which were against B division teams. Of those 13 wins, 11 were by margins of 5 goals or more, demonstrating a consistent and overwhelming dominance advantage. In a couple instances, teams had to pull players mid-game for injuries or safety reasons, and one team forfeited their game entirely to avoid risk to their athletes.

Additionally, the age and size disparities of the Sunshine Coast team are of grave concern. Puberty plays a crucial role in an athlete’s physical strength, aggression, and readiness. Many C division teams consist primarily of younger, smaller players—some as young as 12 years old—who are not physically developed enough to safely compete against opponents who appear significantly older and more mature, whereas the B team consists of more mature youth closer in size and age who are going through the same pubesent changes particularily in strength and aggressivness.

As supporters of youth sports, we are deeply troubled that this misalignment jeopardizes not only fair competition but also the safety and well-being of all athletes involved. These incidents are not isolated but represent a clear pattern throughout the season.

We emphasize that our concerns are not with the Sunshine Coast athletes themselves but with their placement in an inappropriate division. Allowing this team to remain in the C division threatens the safety of other players and undermines the values of fairness, development, and sportsmanship.

Therefore, we respectfully request that the Sunshine Coast U15 C team be moved to the B division for provincials. This change would demonstrate the league’s commitment to player safety and competitive integrity and affirm the importance of proper classification to protect all athletes.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We hope for prompt corrective action prior to the provincial tournament in July.

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