Academy

Expert Coaching: Our coaching staff consists of experienced, passionate individuals who are dedicated to helping players develop their skills, tactical understanding, and love for the game. Coaches prioritize teaching, sportsmanship, and individualized skill development to ensure that every player receives the attention they need to grow.

Comprehensive Training: Player development is the core of our program and differentiates MLA from other programs in Memphis and the Mid-South. From fundamental skills, positional development, and advanced team concepts, our training sessions are designed to cover all aspects of the game. Whether your child is new to club lacrosse or is an experienced club player, they will have the opportunity to enhance their abilities and take their game to the next level in our Development Academy.

Character Development: At Memphis Lacrosse Academy, we understand that success extends beyond the field. Through our program, players will learn valuable life skills such as leadership, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. We aim to cultivate not only great athletes but also outstanding individuals who will thrive in all aspects of life.

Community Engagement: We’re proud to be a part of the vibrant lacrosse community here in Memphis. We strive to promote the sport and create opportunities for all aspiring players regardless of school to get involved and grow their passion for lacrosse.

As we have done in our first two club seasons and staying consistent with our goal to provide transformational experiences to athletes in Memphis, all players who compete for our club teams in June are required to be a part of our Spring/Summer Development Academy. Our Development Academy focuses on player development – cultivating the habits, behaviors, mindsets, and IQ associated with high quality lacrosse at every position across our various age groups. Our coaches follow a dedicated curriculum that emphasizes high-quality teaching and the expectation that players be coachable and embrace a growth mindset. The Development Academy sessions put athletes in an environment where they are encouraged to compete, give their best effort, and step outside their comfort zone in an effort to grow. Our goal for the Development Academy is to help Memphis athletes focus on the process over outcomes and pursue becoming the best version of themselves on and off the field.

*All new and returning players must register for the summer Development Academy program in all grade levels to be eligible for MLA club teams.

Youth: 2030 through 2033 (*note – 2034 players are welcome to register for the Development Academy)

High School: 2026-2029

For Club Teams, all registered Development Academy players who receive an invitation will be invited to play on a team this summer. New players will be evaluated for teams on Sunday, February 23rd to be invited to compete in the tournaments in June on an MLA roster for their graduation year. Players may opt out of competing in tournaments and only train in the Development Academy, but in order to compete for one of our Club Teams, you must be registered in the Development Academy program by March 1st.

Summer club team invitations will be sent by March 5th and commitments are due by March 23rd with a deposit ($200) for the tournament fees.

Our practices are held at Memphis University School (6191 Park Ave) on three turf fields. We understand the importance of consistency and convenience for families, which is why we strive to maintain a regular practice schedule throughout the season. Times are still to be determined based on rosters and roster sizes. More details will be sent soon. All Development Academy sessions aim to be two hours in length.

Practice Days (12 total training sessions):

Youth Only (2030-2034) – April 27; May 4, 11, 14

High School Only (2026-2029) – June 4, 11, 16, & 17

All Teams (2026-2034) – May 20, 22, 27, 29 June 3, 5, 10, 12

We believe that competition is essential for growth. For the summer of 2025, we are sending our youth and high school teams to different locations. We are offering opportunities for youth players to compete in state and regional tournaments in the southeast. We are sending our HS teams to a regional tournament in GA and a national tournament in MD and PA.

Tournament Schedule

2026-2029:

• NXT Southern Invitational – June 7-8, Atlanta, GA
• Crabfeast – June 21-22, Baltimore, MD (2026 and 2029; 2028 is on a waitlist)
  *note – our 2026 division team will be a combined 26/27 team for Crabfeast

2028 Back Up Options (*note – we hope to know before the end of February about our waitlist status for Crabfeast with the 2028s):

• APEX West Chester Showdown (West Chester, PA) OR NXT Mid-Atlantic Summer Games (Kirkwood, DE) – June 21-22

2030-2033:

• Country Lax Fest – June 7-8, Nashville, TN
• Southeast Summer Invitational – June 14-15, Charlotte, NC

Expert Coaching: Our coaching staff consists of experienced, passionate individuals who are dedicated to helping players develop their skills, tactical understanding, and love for the game. Coaches prioritize teaching, sportsmanship, and individualized skill development to ensure that every player receives the attention they need to grow.

Comprehensive Training: Player development is the core of our program and differentiates MLA from other programs in Memphis and the Mid-South. From fundamental skills, positional development, and advanced team concepts, our training sessions are designed to cover all aspects of the game. Whether your child is new to club lacrosse or is an experienced club player, they will have the opportunity to enhance their abilities and take their game to the next level in our Development Academy.

Character Development: At Memphis Lacrosse Academy, we understand that success extends beyond the field. Through our program, players will learn valuable life skills such as leadership, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. We aim to cultivate not only great athletes but also outstanding individuals who will thrive in all aspects of life.

Community Engagement: We’re proud to be a part of the vibrant lacrosse community here in Memphis. We strive to promote the sport and create opportunities for all aspiring players regardless of school to get involved and grow their passion for lacrosse.

Our practices are held at Memphis University School (6191 Park Ave) on three turf fields. We understand the importance of consistency and convenience for families, which is why we strive to maintain a regular practice schedule throughout the spring and summer seasons.

Sunday Afternoons from 2:30-4:30 pm:

• February 23
• March 2, 23, 30,
• April 6, 13, 27
• May 4, 11

*note: additional week day practices will be added later in the spring. Days and times are TBD.

We believe that competition is essential for growth. For the summer of 2025, we are offering opportunities for players to compete in state and regional tournaments in the southeast.

• May 31-June 1: Texas Draw (Plano, TX)
• June 14-15: IWLCA Southeast Cup (Raleigh, NC)
• July 19-20: NXT Grand Prix (Westfield, IN)

2025 Spring/Summer Pricing:

• Development Academy Dues – $600: includes a uniform. This fee covers coaches practice pay, facility dues, insurance, and other administrative costs.
• Payment plans are available at the end of registration
• Estimated Club Team Tournament Dues – invitation links will be sent in early April for tournaments. Dues cover tournament registration fees, coaches pay, and travel/accommodations for coaches.
• Texas Draw – $200
• Southeast Shootout – $200
• NXT Grand Prix – $200