Possums Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Possums Lacrosse?

The club was founded in 2003 as part of the defunct NDP Lacrosse program and is now entering its 5th independent season. It is the premier all-star travel club for Florida. It is designed to provide unique opportunities for U-19 boys, U-17 boys, and U-15 who have a passion for lacrosse and want to realize their lacrosse potential and maximize their lacrosse experience in competitive play. The program is a not for profit.

We have ELITE and SELECT teams for both Jacksonville and Orlando.

The Elite Teams is now recognized as one of the most competitive travel teams in the United States. We have winning records against all Florida club teams which include: South Florida Select (12-3), Lax Universe (4-0) and FLC (1-0). We have been invited to all the best invitational tournaments offered. We have won the prestigious Gait Cup at Gettysburg College (www.gaitcup.com) and the Sunshine Cup in Tampa.

How is the SELECT team different from the ELITE team?

This team is made up of players that want to learn from the best, get exposure to college coaches and have practices directed by high school and college coaches. There is a huge demand for a Select Team that travels in Orlando and Jacksonville. This year, the teams will practice and scrimmage together, but split up for tournaments.

How are Teams formed?

Teams are divided by age: boys U-19 (Post-grad, 12th and 11th), U-17 (8th to 10th), and U-15 Elite (6th, 7th, and 8th and in some cases, rising 9th) Teams consist of anywhere from 20-26 players and are selected by a panel of your high school coaches in August and April/May. Players are invited by telephone or e-mail after the try-outs. Players will be invited to participate on a certain team. Once all open spots are taken, those that have not been selected will be notified via e-mail.

Possible Teams

Possums Orlando/JAX Elite U-19, Possums Orlando/JAX Elite U-17, Possums Orlando/JAX Elite U-15, Orlando SELECT 19/17/15, North Florida SELECT 19/17/15

When is the Season?

Possums is designed for the working family and around high school sports. Our season is broken into two parts: 3 months, from May to July and from September to December. We EXPECT and encourage our players to be multi-sport players and participate on high school teams. The summer months of June and July are the busiest, with two major tournaments. The fall and winter include practices on Sundays, exhibition games against college club teams and other all-star teams. We attend two major out of town weekend tournaments in October/November. All is designed to work around school sports and family activities.

What is the Club's Philosophy?

This club will prepare you for competitive high school lacrosse and playing in college. The player on gets out of the club what he/she puts into it. The club is a commitment, but not the only thing you do. The club emphasizes learning and coaching through competitive play in tournaments and games. The player, however, must be properly prepared to play and understand the team playing philosophy. Therefore, players are expected to make all practices so they have the fundamentals required to play.

Tournament and Exhibition playing philosophy

The amount of playing time in tournaments and games will be determined by the coach, period. Positioning, strategy and all other executive decisions will be determined by our experienced coaches. All members will have a fair opportunity to compete.

Conduct, Sportsmanhip & Citizenship

Possums LAX is dedicated to honoring the game of Lacrosse. We expect parents, players and coaches to conduct themselves as examples to all. Club Communication: We communicate primarily through e-mail. Please contact your coach with specific questions during the season. You will receive a minimum of 2 e-mails a week with club, scholarship and general lacrosse information. Since we communicate through e-mail, you must have access and check daily.

Who are the Coaches?

Our coaches all have years of high school and/or college coaching experience. Please check your team portal for all the updated coaches bios.

What are the Benefits and Services?

A one season club fee includes some of the following:
-Extensive, quality coaching designed to improve individual and team skills
- Roughly 7-10 coached practice sessions with your team
-Special player clinics coached by current MLL players and college coaches. -Access to best coaches, tournaments and competition
- Individual coaching and performance training
- Guest coaching by high school coaches, college coaches and MLL players
- Use of coaching staff as college references
- Guidance through the college selection & recruiting process by experienced counselors, college recruiters and former college lacrosse coaches
- Team membership for elite tournaments
- Web site
- Coaching stipends and travel
- Excess liability insurance
- Coaching supplies and administration
- Yearly evaluation
- Travel agent assistance and discounts
- Discount group hotel rates
- FUN and CAMARADERIE
- Professional Training and Nutrition program.
- LAX Rating scores
- Full access to our Director of Recruiting.
- Individual player BIO on our webpage/program.

What do I pay?

The program is not for profit. THE TEAM FEE changes from season to season. Fees are a separate charge for each event and will vary. Players are responsible for travel, lodging, meals, entry fees and other accommodations. Fees range from $200-350. The average tournament fee where we stay on campus (usually called a “camp” even though it’s not) costs around ($400) and is all inclusive. You can expect to invest $1500.00 per season for travel and tournament fees.

What are the Benefits & Services fees?

The fees have dropped significantly since our first few years. Since we are sponsored by major lacrosse companies, we get discounted rate on equipment and apparel. All must purchase the reversible and shorts. All ELITE teams must purchase our helmets. All equipment is custom!

All tournament fees and travel are additional. This may be quite costly when you add up two tournaments and travel. Remember, this is an investment that will pay itself back if you choose to play in college.

Boy, that is expensive!

Actually, when you take into consideration that we are the only NOT FOR PROFIT club team in the Country, this is far from fact. Last FALL we provided over 39% of our players with some sort of financial aid. Plus, one camp in the summer costs around $400.00 plus travel expenses. This is quite the deal. Other notable clubs charges:
Team Twist (PA): $565.00

Travel

You have the option of (1) using our recommended travel from our team moms, (2) contacting our travel agent to book travel, and (3) booking travel on your own:

If you wish to use your own agent, that is fine, but you must arrive at the time needed (to meet a bus, for instance) or transport yourself to the tournaments.
We usually hire busses (divided by all that use the bus) or transport ourselves in Florida for day trips. We will reserve hotel rooms for the boys. We recommend that all the U-15 boys travel together, supervised by our coaching staff.

Our coaches and camp staff are always responsible for the athletes. Usually, at tournaments and camps (College tournaments are called camps because they provide meals, lodging and tournament fees); the camp will have coaches to supervise the athletes. Emergency phone numbers will be provided via e-mail one week prior to trip.

If you have your athletes traveling with you, we cannot be responsible, they need to be with you at all times when not playing.

Dismissal

If athletes are caught breaking camp/tournament rules, become a discipline or safety concern, or jeopardize the Program, athletes will be sent home at parent’s expense and immediately removed from the team (no refunds are given if dismissed form the team). The same is true for parents that break program rules or are disrespectful to our or other team’s staff.

Schedule / Practice Changes

We have no control over the weather and the cancellation of tournaments by other travel teams. Most practices are in Orlando and JACKSONVILLE, but some WORKSHOPS/CLINICS take place in Palm Coast. The Jacksonville team practices in Ponte Vedra. If tournaments are cancelled, we will attempt to reschedule.

Practice Attendance

Practice is not mandatory, but highly recommended. We understand that it is summer, and you may miss a few practices. Please e-mail your coach 24 hours in advance.

Is there assistance?

YES! We offer financial aid thanks to the generosity of our corporate sponsors and offer numerous fundraising opportunities to cover ALL expenses throughout the year. Plus, there are various payment options, including credit cards. Please contact us if you need to be considered for scholarships. There are specific applications that must be completed.

FUNDRAISING: Find corporate sponsors and we split the fund raised monies with you. This can cover all your travel expenses.

ALL TOURNAMENT FEES AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS ARE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES.

Refund Policy

Possums Lax does NOT give refunds once paid. Possums LAX will consider refund requests only upon prior written notice to the Director. Many expenses are pre-paid months in advance and there are no guarantees that we will get refunds from tournaments and companies.