Lacrosse players can expect to pay more money than last year in order to participate in the upcoming season. On Sept. 27 the booster club shed light on the young sport and informed students and parents on important information.

“Each school needs a budget of around $15,000 to pay for goals, buses, referees, fields, coach salary and uniforms,” booster club President Lisa Chan said.

Last year, the cost of equipment averaged $100 and $300 for girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, respectively.

“U.S. lacrosse also requires each player to pay $35 that provides insurance needed to protect players on and off the field,” Chan said.

Florida High School Athletic Association financial requirements will also raise the price of playing the self-funded sport.

“Since May, FHSAA announced that Florida schools need to stop supporting lacrosse clubs so Friends of Brevard lacrosse — a non-profit organization — was created to raise funds for Brevard lacrosse teams,” said former West Shore booster club President and current FBL President Rick Melchiori.

This new sanction has affected not just West Shore but also Viera, Satellite, Eau Gallie and Merritt Island teams.

The cost to play girls’ and boys’ junior varsity and varsity lacrosse will be based on the number of students who want to play. To comply with Title IX law, both the girls’ and boys’ teams need to have roughly the same number of players to participate.

By Jack Moore