LSA and the LHSAA have enjoyed a productive relationship for years. Both organizations believe we must provide a balance in our seasonal calendars to avoid conflicts between high school sports and academic pursuits and LSA’s youth soccer programming. For this reason, the LHSAA policy dictates that...
Once a student becomes a member of an LHSAA school team, he/she may not participate with an independent team or an organized exhibition group in that same sport. (see: LHSAA Policy 4.2.4)
Among the few exceptions to this policy granted by the LHSAA is
Participation with the Olympic Development soccer program as approved by the Louisiana Soccer Association. (see: LHSAA Policy 4.2.9 (6))
The LHSAA, like LSA, has long recognized the value of ODP and LSA’s commitment not only in helping each individual player achieve their own level of excellence in the game of soccer, but also in LSA’s commitment to avoiding conflicts in youth players’ lives that may interfere with their academic career of other extra-curricular endeavors.
LSA also recognizes and fully appreciates the benefits and rewards that come from participating in high school sports. Young players reap far more from playing with their high school teams than wins and championships. High school sports help teach our kids who they will become, not just what they will become.