At Lethbridge Lacrosse, we follow Lacrosse Canada’s Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model to help players grow and develop at the right pace. This ensures lacrosse remains fun, engaging, and accessible for everyone—from first-time players to high-level competitors.
Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is a roadmap that helps players build their skills, confidence, and love for the game while aligning with their natural growth and development. It focuses on the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of an athlete’s journey, balancing training, competition, and recovery for long-term success.
LTAD is built around key developmental stages, making sure that training, competition, and skill development match a player's age and ability. This structure helps coaches and administrators create programs that set players up for success while keeping the game fun and rewarding.
One of the best things about LTAD is its flexibility. Players can move between recreational and competitive levels depending on their goals, interests, and abilities. Whether they aim to play at an elite level or simply enjoy the game for fun and fitness, there’s a place for everyone in lacrosse. LTAD also helps players stay involved in the sport for life—whether as athletes, coaches, referees, or fans.
The Lacrosse for Life program is designed to introduce new players to the game, build their skills, and help them reach their full potential. Created by Canadian lacrosse experts, this program follows best practices in coaching, training, and player development to ensure a safe, fun, and rewarding experience for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
This model is based on Sport Canada’s LTAD framework, using the latest research to create age-appropriate training and competition. By following this approach, Lethbridge Lacrosse helps players develop their skills, stay active, and enjoy the game for years to come.
For a deeper understanding of the Lacrosse for Life LTAD model, explore the following resources:
To learn more about Long-Term Athlete Development and its application across all sports, visit Sport for Life.
At Lethbridge Lacrosse, we are committed to providing a structured and engaging development pathway so that athletes of all ages and abilities can grow, compete, and enjoy lacrosse for years to come.