Policy
It is the policy of the Snohomish Boys Lacrosse Club (“Snolax”) that players shall not be permitted to move up in playing grade level or be permitted to play at a level below their current school grade level (the “Playing Up / Playing Down Policy”). The Board of Directors of the Snolax (the “Snolax Board”) may, in its sole discretion, make an exception to the Playing Up / Playing Down Policy in the limited circumstances and pursuant to the procedures described below. This policy applies to youth players in grades K to 8. High school players are governed by WHSBLA eligibility standards. Under no circumstances can the Snolax board grant a waiver for a player to play up from 8th grade to 9th grade.
Basis for Policy
The Snolax Board finds that athletes should play with their age peers to promote the concepts of team and commitment, improve competency and advance skills and physical development, enhance sportsmanship and teach humility, create a safe playing environment, and foster opportunities for socialization and friendship. Snolax Board further finds that the benefits of team and program development outweigh any perceived individual benefits to a particular player of extraordinary skill and/or physical development.
Exceptions
A player may be permitted to move up or move down one grade level for an entire season if:
a) a second-grader who has completed a full season as a first-grader may request to play-up to 3/4
b) a player “skipped” a grade in school and a parent or guardian believes that they should play at a level commensurate with their biological age (a grade lower) then an exception may be granted by unanimous vote of the Snolax Board for that player to play at a level with his age group.
c) extraordinary circumstances exist and the Snolax Board votes unanimously to make an exception to the Playing Up / Playing Down Policy.
Procedure
A player must first register at his appropriate grade level. After registering, the player or his parent or guardian may make a request to the Athletic Director to play up/down.
The Snolax Board will vote on the request, and waivers with unanimous vote will be granted.
Players that are approved to play up or play down a grade level for a season will be full members of the grade level they are approved for and will only participate at that grade level for the season.
League Policy
The North Sound Youth Lacrosse Association (NSYLA) policy has precedence for league play eligibility and may have further waiver requirements for play-up/play-down requests. Upon granting a play-up/play-down waiver, the Snolax Board will direct the Athletic Director to petition the NSYLA, if necessary.