Huntsville Lacrosse Association

All Huntsville Lacrosse Association activities including practices will resume on Monday May 4th. Teams need to observe the local parks rules and closures based on the H1N1 Swine Flu threat.

Thankfully, no players or families of HLA players have showed symptoms of flu to the best of our knowledge.

The GBYLA is electing to procede with their Tournament. With the closure of schools, parks, and other public facilities, the Alabama High School Athletic Association halting all activities, and the middle school athletic events in Birmingham being postponed, it is the decision of the Huntsville Lacrosse Association that our teams are not going to participate.

We believe that while this is an extremely difficult decision, it is the smart and safe thing to do rather than regret going. This is a decision that does not come easily, or without protest and complaints. The frustration is felt by all. We wish that the GBYLA tournament could be moved, but it cannot.

We will announce the resumption of activity and practices through the emails to coaches and team moms.

We will make updates at this site, but for the most up-to-date information, contact the team parent and coach for your team.

All other requests for information can be sent to: lacrosse(at)hiwaay.net

For a Statement on the tournament from the President of the GBYLA, click to read more:

Coaches and Officials,
Please communicate this to your players and their families as you feel appropriate:

In light of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) postponing all AHSAA sanctioned athletic activities beginning today, we wanted to make sure the GBYLA was informed about the current swine flu situation and that we did what was best for all our members. Here are a couple of points that came out in discussions with local school officials who have been interfacing directly with governmental and health leaders at both the local and state level:

- The decision to close the Madison county Schools was made by the Health Department.

- It is not clear why all AHSAA sports activities were postponed with the children continuing to attend school in the areas outside of Madison County.

- Our school districts are closely monitoring the overall situation and remain in contact with all decision makers.

Based upon what we know currently about this situation, the 2009 Alabama Lacrosse Championship games scheduled for this weekend at the Hoover High School Stadium will be played as scheduled.
It should be noted that the president of the Huntsville Lacrosse Association understands the potential implications for their teams coming to Birmingham to compete in the Championships. As such and in consideration of both the Madison County situation and our players, Huntsville has decided not to participate in the 2009 Lacrosse Championships.

We will continue to remain in close contact with our local school leadership.

Should the situation change, we will continue to put the concerns for our players first and take our direction from school officials with regard to any changes in our scheduled plans.

Thank you

Earl Cooper – President
Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association