About Carolina Lacrosse Association
Every Age. Every Stage. Every Season.
At Carolina Lacrosse Association (CLA), we believe every athlete deserves a clear, consistent, and high-quality pathway — whether they’re picking up a stick for the first time or preparing for college lacrosse.
We provide that pathway through four levels of programming:
Start, Play, Travel, and Elite.
Our mission is simple: develop athletes of character, elevate the youth sports experience, and grow the game the right way — starting in our own backyard.
Two Regions. One Standard.
CLA operates in two core regions — CLA North and CLA Charlotte — each offering full boys and girls programming across all levels:
CLA North
Start: Free clinics & StartLax League
Play: Local leagues & Train & Play programs
Travel Teams:
Carolina Miners (Boys)
Style North (Girls)
CLA Charlotte
Start: Free clinics & StartLax League
Play: Local leagues & Train & Play programs
Travel Teams:
Team Carolina (Boys)
Style Charlotte (Girls)
Every region operates year-round, with opportunities for every age and every stage — from 4-year-old beginners to high school recruits.
Our Four-Tier Player Pathway
CLA’s programming is built around a simple, scalable model that meets players where they are and guides them to where they want to go.
START: Where the Journey Begins
Our START tier is built for young athletes and beginners who are brand new to the game. Whether your child is 4 years old or just picking up a stick for the first time, our goal is to create an environment where they can learn, play, and fall in love with lacrosse.
START programming includes:
Free Monthly Clinics – open to boys and girls, no experience required
StartLax 3v3 League – a fun, fast-paced, no-pads format with sticks provided
We focus on confidence, coordination, and fun, not competition or pressure. Coaches are energetic and engaging, helping kids develop the basics — cradling, passing, catching, and movement — through games and age-appropriate activities. START is not just an introduction to lacrosse; it’s the foundation for athletic growth, teamwork, and a love for sport.
PLAY: Development Through Game Play
Our PLAY tier bridges the gap between learning the game and joining a travel team. It’s designed for players who want consistent training, structured games, and a team experience — all without the commitment of travel tournaments.
PLAY is perfect for athletes who are:
Still developing their skills
Playing multiple sports
Not ready (or not interested) in travel lacrosse just yet
PLAY programs include:
Train & Play Series – weekly training + live gameplay
Seasonal Rec Leagues – Fall, Spring, and Summer
Academy-style training programs – with a focus on reps, IQ, and gameplay
PLAY is available for boys and girls in every CLA region — Charlotte and North — and every season. Our goal is to help players build skill, gain confidence, and fall in love with team competition, all while preparing for what’s next.
TRAVEL: Our Competitive Core
Our TRAVEL tier is the core of CLA’s competitive programming — designed for athletes who are ready to commit to a higher level of coaching, competition, and development.
TRAVEL teams are region-based and tiered (AA, A, B) to ensure the right fit for every player. These are the teams we take to tournaments throughout the Southeast — building skills, relationships, and long-term success.
TRAVEL includes:
Team Carolina (Charlotte Boys)
Carolina Miners (North Boys)
Style Elite (All Regions) - AA Team Option
Style Charlotte (Charlotte Girls) - A/B Team Option
Style North (North Girls) - A/B Team Option
Players receive:
Season-long team training and development
Tournament schedules in the Fall and Summer
High-level coaching from experienced staff
Guidance and support for the college recruiting process (for high school players)
Our TRAVEL teams are designed for players who want to grow through competition, develop their game the right way, and represent their region at the highest level. CLA is proud to have supported over 50 college commits in the Class of 2025 alone, and that number continues to grow every year.
ELITE: Elevating the Top Players
Our ELITE tier is designed for the top-performing athletes across CLA and the broader Southeast who are ready to compete at the highest level of national competition.
ELITE is not a replacement for our TRAVEL teams — it’s an enhancement. Athletes continue to play with their home region travel teams but are also selected to represent CLA on exclusive, high-level teams at elite events.
ELITE includes:
Carolina Gold (Boys)
Southern Stars (Girls)
Players are identified through travel team performance, coach recommendations, and dedicated tryouts. Those selected will:
Compete at top national events
Train in short-term, high-intensity camp models before events
Join other top players across CLA regions to form high-performing, unified rosters
Be pushed with advanced coaching, pace, and expectations
ELITE is about taking the most committed, competitive players and giving them a stage to test themselves against the best in the country — while deepening their development, exposure, and CLA pride.
This level is for athletes who don’t just want to play in college — they want to lead, compete, and stand out on the biggest stages.
Why Families Choose CLA
A clear development model that’s easy to understand and grow within
Programs for boys and girls in every season, across every region
Trusted by over 1,000 families and home to 50+ college commits in the class of 2025
Multi-sport friendly, with collaborations like our partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football
Built by coaches, athletes, and families who care about doing it the right way
Message from Our Founder
“We didn’t build CLA to be just another program. We built it to set a new standard — for development, opportunity, and leadership in youth sports. Whether you’re with us for a season or for years, we’ll help your athlete grow the right way.”
— Ricky Reyes, President & CEO