SPIRIT OF LACROSSE

The Spirit of Lacrosse was introduced by ALRA(WA) in 2004 at a time that the abuse of match officials was reaching unacceptable levels and inhibiting the recruitment of people to take on officiating.

The aim of the Spirit of Lacrosse is to remind clubs, coaches, players and spectators that ‘they must seek to find the proper balance between competitive seriousness and the spirit of play’ and ‘the nature of competitive sport is not about winning but about mutually striving for excellence’.

Points are awarded for each participating team is any senior grade match officiated by match officials on a sliding scale. The points seek to reward a team who plays and portrays the game in a skilful and entertaining manner for spectators and takes away any negative emotions towards the officials.

The points to be awarded range from 3 points to -2 points with the points added together across all senior grades during the season with clubs receiving an average score across the number of games the club played. The highest score wins the award.

VOTING GUIDE

3 Votes

A competitive game played in excellent spirits with all participants acting in an exemplary manner
Respect was shown by participants towards officials, working well with officials throughout the game
The teams played hard but fair and within spirit of game with players adjusting to calls on field
Minimal personal penalties or “yellow cards”.
There was no “unsportsmanlike” penalties incurred or no reds handed out
Supporters were well behaved and respectful towards officials/opponents

2 Votes

A relatively competitive game played in goods spirits with all participants acting in a respectful manner for the most part
Respect was shown by participants towards officials, working well with officials throughout the game
The teams played hard but fair with players adjusting to calls and there being no major incidents
An average number of personal penalties or “yellow cards”.
There was no “unsportsmanlike” penalties incurred or no reds handed out
Supporters were well behaved and respectful towards officials/opponents for most part

1 Vote

An unremarkable game which remained under control for most part with participants critical at times but controlled
Participants were at times critical of officials but remained under control throughout the game
The teams played good spirits with game with there being no major incidents albeit the teams were disjointed at times.
A normal number of personal penalties or “yellow cards”.
There was no “unsportsmanlike” penalties incurred or no reds handed out
Supporters weren’t noticed by officials/opponents

0 Votes

A poor game with participants with game at times getting out of control and officials subject to occasional criticism and abuse
Participants were critical of officials throughout the game with an antagonistic atmosphere being created
The teams played poor spirit with game on edge throughout game with some non-lacrosse incidents and/or poor penalties.
A higher-than-average number of personal penalties or “yellow cards”.
An “unsportsmanlike” penalty was incurred or a red card was handed out
Supporters were critical of officials/opponents without becoming abusive

-1 Votes

A poor game in all respects with participants acting poorly and officials being subjected to constant criticism and abuse
Officials subjected to considerable constant criticism and/or abuse throughout game
Game played in poor spirits – poor skills, tactics and cheap penalties/fouls – with game getting out of control
A significant number of personal penalties or “yellow cards”.
More than one ‘Unsportsmanlike’ penalty incurred or a red card handed out
Supporters acted poorly towards officials/opponents

-2 Votes

A poor game in all respects with players out of control and officials subject to unacceptable abuse
Officials subjected to considerable abuse throughout game
Participants involved in fights and other non-lacrosse incidents
Game was abandoned due to the behaviour of teams.
Player(s) reported.
Supporters abusive towards officials/opponents