2025 Oshawa Fall Ball Sixes Communications

2025 Oshawa Fall Ball Sixes Communications

This page contains the latest communications about Fall Ball Sixes.  Latest news on top.  If you are not getting the emails, contact VPREC@oshawablueknights.ca
---------- Week 5- 14 OCt EMAIL ---------- FINALS EMAIL!

Greetings! (you’ve been BCC’d)

We are winding down this year’s Fall Ball Sixes and we hope all the players have had fun, learned a bit about field lacrosse, and were challenged. I will circulate a feedback questionnaire about this program in a week or so.

Last Sunday, the weather was wonderful and the scrimmages were very entertaining even though we were less formal than usual. This Sundays Finals will be played on Field 5, located next to the Fieldhouse. You can access Field 5 from Gibb, entering the Civic Complex on the north side, proceeding past Field 1 Stadium and into the parking area. Field 5 is located on the north side of the Complex.

  1. We have the field from 12 to 3 PM. It is important that players are dressed and ready to go at their designated time:
    1. U7 – at 12 PM – game will be 4 X 8-minute periods
    2. U9/11 – 1PM – game will be 4 X 10-minute periods with shotclock
    3. U13/15 – 2 PM – game will be 4 X 10-minute periods with shotclock
  1. Since there are 3 U9/11 teams, we have decided that the top 2 teams in the standings will play in the finals with the third team players split up and assigned to one of the two teams in the finals. This is to ensure that all players play in a finals game. Therefore the Orange Bandits players will be moved to one of the Blue Jays or Green Machine teams. If your player is on the Orange Bandits they will have a new pinnie to put on when they get to the field. 🙂
  1. We are not awarding medals or trophies this year, but we will have a commemorative tee for players to take home with them, along with a few small gifts. There will be a spot clearly marked where players can go and grab their stuff.
  1. Since we only have the field until 3 PM, it is doubly important that games start on the hour sharp. Please have players ready to go on their hour. (I know, I know, I am repeating myself, but its important) 😁

Finally, I must say, it has been a fun season we’ve had, sort of put together at the last-minute. We truly hope that your player had fun this year and we will look at adding a Fall Ball Sixes component to our regular programming. Thank you for your support AND next Sunday evening we also have our club’s Annual General Meeting. If you wish to participate here is more information: https://www.oshawablueknights.ca/2025-obk-virtual-agm We are always looking for people to help out. 🙂

---------- Week 5- 8 OCt EMAIL ----------

Greetings,

Great weather AGAIN! Most games were close, but a few players were missing last week. We had only 2 penalties called, so that is a good sign that the players are listening to the referee. Remember, bumping is allowed, but no take-outs or clear-outs. It seems all the players can have fun within these parameters. Couple of things to keep in mind:

  1. Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday. Last week I put out a poll: Thanksgiving Sunday Poll If you haven’t answered, please do so before Thursday. However, enough kids will be there, so we’ll have activities. If we can get scrimmages in, we’ll do that, whether they are mini-games or Braveheart competitions. However, I’d also like to take the opportunity to have some instruction before we play. We have some excellent coaches who can share some of the tricks and tips of field lacrosse for both runners and goalies.
  1. Please note the following ***NEW*** times for Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12th:
    1. U7 – 12 PM to 1 PM
    2. U9/11 – 1 PM to 2 PM
    3. U13/15 – 2 PM to 3 PM
  1. The Finals are on October 19th on Field 5 which is located on the north side of the Civic Complex, next to the Field House. You can access Field 5 from Gibb.
  1. Oshawa Minor is putting together our Fall indoor programming at Children’s. We will send you information about this once the schedule is complete, but if you are interested, please keep an eye on our website! 🙂

If you have any questions about anything, as always, please feel free to ask.

---------- Week 4- 1 OCt EMAIL ----------

Greetings! (you were BCC’d)

Another excellent Sunday of games, most of them close, all of them fun, weather was mint! Couple things to note:

  1. The referee talked with the kids about errant sticks on Sunday, especially high sticks. He explained that even accidental high-sticks will result in penalties without warning. We have progressive penalty timing for Fall Ball: 1 minute for the first penalty, 2 minutes for the second penalty, 3 minutes for the third penalty, and then game expulsion. No one wants to be kicked out of a Fall Ball game! Coaches please remind those players to control their sticks with two hands, and make sure the check will be effective before checking. At the younger ages, penalties often bring tears, FYI.
  1. In Sixes, the goalie isn’t allowed to go past half, but this is Canada, eh? So we allow it. (it’s allowed in regular field lacrosse too) However, we will not allow players in the crease when the goalie goes on a run. This is to prevent players from taking a shot. Additionally, players need to understand NOT to step in front a shot and NOT to shoot if there is a defender in their shooting lane. We’ll have the coaches and ref reiterate this on Sunday as a safety rule.
  1. I noticed a few players still not wearing mouthguards, which are mandatory. Please check with your player before the game to make sure they have a mouthguard.
  1. Over the past couple of weeks we have collected 3 mouthguards, 1 glove, and 1 OBK Rep water bottle. If your child is missing any of these items, see the timer bench prior to the game.
  1. A few parents have indicated that they won’t be there on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12th. I have created a quick survey for you to let us know if you will be there or not. Here is the link to the survey: Thanksgiving Sunday Poll
    1. When we created the schedule, we didn’t know whether we could get a field booked for the Finals on October 19th so we didn’t want to shorten the season to 4 weeks. We have since confirmed that we do have a field booked for the 19th. Most leagues book Thanksgiving Sunday off.
    2. IF we get 70% or more that won’t be there, we’ll simply cancel the day, no worries. 🙂
    3. IF we don’t cancel, we’ll review our numbers and decide how to proceed. Some of things we can do: combine teams play games, run a field-specific clinic and scrimmages, introduce the kids to Braveheart! 😲


Everyone have a great week and see you Sunday!

---------- Week 3- 23 Sept EMAIL ----------

We had excellent weather on Sunday and all the games were close and well-played.  A couple of things to note:

  1. I have renamed the U7 teams to Golden Eagles and Orange Tigers.  Just to give some flair to the pinnie colours.  This week I would like the team coaches to poll their players on Sunday for their team’s name.  The only constraint is that the pinnie colour needs to be in the name and you can’t use “knights” or “blue knights.” Coaches, let me know the new team names after the games and I’ll post them on the website.
  1. Of note, I am tracking standings on the OshawaBlueKnights.ca homepage.  On the right-hand side you’ll notice the Fall Ball Main Page link and underneath the standings.  We won’t track stats for players, but we will add players names to the teams and track results.
  1. I have an ask for parents: if you are not going to make it that week, could you let me know please?  We have a slim margin of players for substitutes, so if I knew who wasn’t going to be there I can adjust accordingly.  If you could let me know before the Sunday that would be great.  In addition, if players could be dressed at ready to go at their designated times that would help move things along through the schedule.
  1. Our referee will be talking to all players before games this week about the ensuring that players mare fully in control of their stick when checking and this generally means two hands on the stick when making a stick check.  He will start making calls for even accidental stick contact to the shoulders/helmet.  That being said, he will also talk to the players about complaining on the field.  There is bumping and errant stick contact, that is to be expected.  Hopefully tightening the rules around stick checking will help with both.
  1. This week the U9/11 division will be starting with the shot clock.  These games are already fast-paced so the shot-clock should be an easy transition for them. 

Weather for this coming Sunday looks excellent again – we’ll see you then!

---------- Week 2 - 16 Sept Email ----------

Week 1 was a success!  It seemed to me that the players were having fun, the games were competitive, and the newer players were learning quickly.  And the weather was beauty, eh?  There were a few minor hiccups, so I’d like to include everyone in a little debrief each week.  These messages will be copied to the Oshawa Fall Ball Sixes Main Page under the Communications link.

  1. All the games were mostly competitive, but there will be a couple of minor adjustments to teams this week to accommodate new players, distribute goalies, and increase competitiveness.  Check the Teams page
  2. Important equipment considerations:
    1. mouthguards are mandatory for all players!  Since there are bumps and spills, a mouthguard is a decent way to prevent chipped teeth and concussions.  Players without a mouthguard will have to be sent off the field until they have one.
    2. Rib/kidney pads are mandatory for all players!  An errant stick to the back hurts.  I am sure most players have rib/kidneys, but if not, you should be able to get a set at Legends Sports on Taunton or Play it Again in Whitby.  They are relatively inexpensive.  You can also use hockey pads or a padded undershirt. If you can’t get a set, let me know.
    3. All players should have a water bottle to bring with them to the bench area and be reminded to collect their bottle after the game.
    4. If a stray pinnie makes it into an equipment bag, please, please, please return it to us.  🙂
  1. Coaches – all coaches should have a current CRC (Criminal Record Check) and, if not, apply for one.  It’s veryeasy to get AND the club will re-imburse you for it.  You can apply online here: Police Record Checks - Durham Regional Police Service  Once you have applied, please let our Registrar know.  Danielle is copied on this email.  Once we have a receipt for your application, we can process reimbursement.   We have coaches for all teams, but if you are interested in being a coach, let me know, there’s always room for a few more. *** IMPOARTANT NOTE!! -If you already have a current year CRC you do not need a new one for Fall Ball.  If you obtained a CRC within the last 3 years, you only need to fill out this form and hand it in to Danielle our Registrar:  OLA Offense Declaration Form
  1. Convenors – we need a convenor for the U7 division!  A convenor is someone who is there who can help us get things going in that division.  For the U7, that means helping players into and out of their pinnies, ensure the players have water, keep an eye on them if they wander off, stuff like that.  It’s on the job training!  Basically help us run that division.  Thanks to Kellie and Chris for convening our U9/11 & U13/15 divisions.  If you are interested in convening the U7 division let me know – thank you!!
  1. Weather – we are at the time of the year when the weather can turn over quickly!  It is always best to be prepared and Fall Ball will only stop if there is lightning.  That means we play in the rain and snow.  For players, believe it or not, it is a LOT of fun!  However, for parents and guardians, maybe not so much!  Just a heads up to mind the weather forecast and bring warm/dry clothing just in case.
  1. Play Day Finals – we have secured Field #5 next to the fieldhouse for our finals on October 19th.  We are planning some surprises for this day, stay tuned.  Of course, we may need volunteers.  🙂