Thursday, January 22, 2026
The Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA) is pleased to announce that our Board has approved the High Performance Program for 2026. Several changes have been made this year to accommodate athlete participation in the Alberta Summer Games and to enhance opportunities across various age groups and disciplines.
2026 Box Lacrosse National Championships In August 2026, the ALA will send U17 Box Lacrosse teams to the Tackaberry Trophy and Dorothy Robertson Trophy competitions in Halifax. Additionally, a Team Alberta U22 Female Box Lacrosse team will compete for their fourth consecutive gold medal as the Dorothy Robertson Trophy moves to a standalone competition (location to be announced).
Field Lacrosse National Championships The ALA will send a U19 Female Field Lacrosse team to compete for the Jenny Kyle Cup and a U17 Male Field Lacrosse team to compete for the Alumni Cup (locations to be announced).
We are also piloting a new system to evaluate the feasibility of a U19 Men’s Field Lacrosse team to compete for the First Nations Cup. Interested players are encouraged to sign up for evaluations immediately; the team’s participation depends on a sufficient number of players committing to this championship, held the last weekend of August.
The Prairie Cup (Red Deer, AB | July 24–26, 2026) The ALA will send at least 10 teams to the Prairie Cup in Red Deer. This competition serves as a vital stepping stone for players preparing for advanced high-performance competition. This year, Alberta will be represented by:
Two female and two co-ed U13 teams
Two female and two co-ed U15 teams
At least one female and one co-ed U17 team
Dual Participation Rules Participation rules have been updated to allow players selected for U17 or U22 Box Lacrosse teams the opportunity to also try out for and compete with a Team Alberta Field Lacrosse team.
U15 Box Lacrosse Strategy We recognize that families may have questions regarding why U15 Box Lacrosse teams will not attend Lacrosse Canada National Championships this year. Following a review by the ALA Team Alberta Steering Committee and the ALA Board, it was determined that focusing U15 development on the Prairie Cup and the Alberta Summer Games is the most beneficial path. This decision aligns with the Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model and ensures players have appropriate competitive opportunities within the province.
Please note that U15 players are permitted to play for both their Zone team in the Alberta Summer Games and a Prairie Cup team.
