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York lacrosse community asks school board to elevate club teams to VHSL varsity status
Summary
Parents and team leaders urged the York County School Board to fund lacrosse as a VHSL varsity sport and to stop recognizing it only as a club, saying club status limits postseason recognition and scholarship opportunities.
Parents and program leaders told the York County School Board May 19 that girls’ and boys’ lacrosse — currently organized as club teams in the county — should be elevated to Virginia High School League (VHSL) varsity status and receive school funding.
Nathan Kirby, program manager for the York Falcons women’s lacrosse team, said his team practices daily and recently won its second consecutive Hampton Roads Lacrosse League championship, but club status ends the season at the local level and prevents regional or state tournament opportunities. “After winning the local club league championship, their season is over. They will receive no official recognition from the school and there will be no chance to move on to regional or state championship opportunities,” Kirby told the board.
David Moss, speaking on behalf of his daughter and other parents, asked the board to consider funding lacrosse so athletes receive the same recognition afforded to VHSL sports and so standout players can pursue scholarship and NCAA opportunities. He noted the county has held lacrosse as a club sport since 2007.
Board members said they are aware of the request and are “actively working on it.” They noted that moving a sport to VHSL status requires a multi‑step process and funding for coaches, transportation and operations would need to be considered across all high schools in the division. No formal motion to change lacrosse’s status was recorded at the meeting.
The speakers asked the board to continue working toward varsity recognition. Board members said they would include further discussion of athletic priorities and potential funding options in future planning.
