Each year, the National Federation of State High School Associations survey their membership for participation data on all of the sports that they offer their students. The 2015 reports are in and lacrosse for both boys and girls show another increase in both participation and sponsorship.

Girls lacrosse, for the first time, is found in the in the “top ten” (#10) after seeing a 3.4% increase in participation (and 4.7% increase in sponsorship) in 2015.

Over eighty-four thousand girls played in the 2015 season in 2,446 sponsored programs according to the reports. The girls’ data shows that over a period from 2009-2015 there has been a 162% increase in players and 212% increase in sponsorship.  

On the boys’ side of the report, participation rose 1.6% in 2015 and 159% over the six-year period. Sponsorship increased 5.6% in 2015 and 185% over the six-year period. Over 108,000 boys played on over 2,600 teams in 2015.

It is important to note that the report only covers programs with a relationship to the Federation. There are many more teams and players who are not included in those numbers. Laxpower.com estimates that there are an additional 1,200 boys teams and 650 girls teams that are not included in the report.

For more information, check out the Federation report or a good review of the data by LaxPower.com.