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.

Fall Development Academy –> Club Teams –> Team Tennessee

As we have done in our first two seasons (fall 2023, summer 2024) and staying consistent with our goal to raise the proverbial Memphis harbor, all players who compete for our club teams in November are required to be a part of our Fall 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.

For Club Teams, Development Academy players will be evaluated during our August and September sessions (along with the Team TN Play Day) to be invited to compete in the tournaments in November on an MLA roster for their graduation (or combined grad years). 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 in the Development Academy program. Our practice and tournament schedule have been specifically coordinated to avoid other fall sports. We are big believers in athletes playing multiple sports, so we have built a schedule to accommodate athletes playing a fall sport.

After the conclusion of the fall season in December or early January, we will have evaluations (for any new players) and extend invitations for our 2025 summer club teams in May and June. The Club Teams and the Development Academy will eventually become two distinct programs as the quality of our players skill and IQ increases and participation grows. For this fall, all players will continue to be in our Development Academy and follow our curriculum across all grade levels. Fall Club Team rosters will be created in early October as all players continue to train in the Development Academy.

For this upcoming year, anyone who wishes to play for Team Tennessee will have the opportunity to tryout on Saturday, September 14th when all four clubs come together for a day of games in Nashville and an evaluation for Team Tennessee during the 2024-2025 school year.

Selected players will practice with other top players from across the state at various times throughout the year and compete against national competition. Please see below for a tentative schedule of events. In order to play for Team Tennessee, you must be a member of one of the four programs (TNLax, CTC, Nashville Elite, or MLA).

Anyone who played for Team Tennessee this summer is not guaranteed a spot and will be reevaluated on September 14th for an invite to play for this year’s team.

• September 14: “Tennessee Fall Lacrosse Kick Off” (Team TN Play Day and Evaluation)
• Dec 7th and 8th (may be subject to change): Training Weekend
• December/January: Team TN Tournament
• May: Training Weekend and Summer Play Day between TNLax, Nashville Elite, CTC, and MLA
• July: Training Weekend and Two Tournaments

*Registration closed for Fall. Subscribe below to be notified of Early Summer programs when registration reopens. 

For the first time, Memphis Lacrosse Academy will be offering a Girls Development Academy.  This program is designed for girls in 5th to 8th grade with lacrosse experience who are committed to taking their game to the next level.  Similar to our approach for the Boys Development Academy in the fall of 2024, girls who participate in this program will be provided high-quality player development experiences in the Development 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.

Our practices are held at Memphis University School (6191 Park Ave) on Rogers field. We understand the importance of consistency and convenience for families, which is why we strive to maintain a regular practice schedule throughout the fall season.

Sunday Afternoons (eight, two-hour player development sessions) from 3:30-5:30 pm. Players will be divided up by their graduation year.

• Session 1: September 22nd, 29th, October 13th, 20th
• Session 2: November 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

Development Academy Dues: includes a shirt and a pinnie. This fee covers coaches practice pay, facility dues, and other administrative costs.

• Session 1 – $225
• Session 2 – $225
• Sessions 1 and 2 combined – $400