1. Who this agreement is between
This is a legal agreement between 1001170614 Ontario Ltd., operating as Greasy Ballers Lacrosse of 9020 Dagmar Rd, Ashburn, Ontario L0B 1A0 ("Greasy Ballers", "we", "us") and the person registering to take part in our programs (the "Participant"), and — where the Participant is under 18 years of age — the parent or legal guardian who completes the registration (the "Guardian").
It applies to every Greasy Ballers program, including the Winter Box League, Goalie Battles, practices, tryouts, clinics, exhibition games, playoffs and any related event, at any venue we use (the "Programs").
In this agreement, "Releasees" means Greasy Ballers, its owners, directors, officers, employees, coaches, referees, trainers, volunteers, contractors, sponsors and partners, and the owners and operators of any facility where a Program takes place.
You are being asked to agree to this before registering. Please read all of it. If anything is unclear, contact us at hello@greasyballers.com before you register rather than after.
2. We are independent, and what that means for you
Greasy Ballers is an independent organisation. We are NOT sanctioned by, affiliated with, or a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Association, and we are not sanctioned by any other provincial or national lacrosse governing body.
This matters to you for two reasons. First, our Programs are not governed by that association's rules, officiating standards, discipline process or complaint procedures — ours are our own. Second, and more importantly, participation in our Programs does NOT come with any insurance coverage that association provides to its members.
Greasy Ballers carries its own liability insurance. That insurance protects Greasy Ballers. It is not accident, medical, dental or disability insurance for the Participant, and it should not be relied on as such.
You are responsible for the Participant's own insurance. We strongly recommend confirming that the Participant has provincial health coverage, and considering private accident, dental and disability coverage. Injuries in box lacrosse — dental injuries in particular — commonly result in costs that provincial health insurance does not cover.
3. The risks of box lacrosse
Box lacrosse is a fast, physical, full-contact sport played in an enclosed arena. Injury is not a remote possibility — it is a normal and foreseeable part of the sport, and it can happen even when everyone involved is careful, well-coached and following the rules.
The Participant, and the Guardian on the Participant's behalf, acknowledge that the risks include but are not limited to:
- Being struck by a lacrosse ball travelling at high speed, including to the head, face, throat or body, and including shots taken deliberately at a goaltender
- Body contact, cross-checking, collisions with other participants, and collisions with the boards, glass, nets, benches or floor
- Contact from sticks, including to the hands, head and face
- Concussion and other traumatic brain injury, including injuries whose effects are delayed, cumulative, permanent or, in rare cases, fatal
- Injury to the head, face, eyes, teeth, neck and spine, including catastrophic injury such as paralysis
- Broken bones, dislocations, torn ligaments and tendons, strains, sprains, bruising, cuts and dental damage
- Heat illness, exhaustion, cardiac events and aggravation of pre-existing conditions
- Equipment that fails, fits poorly, or is worn incorrectly
- The conduct of other participants, including play that is careless, reckless, outside the rules, or intentionally harmful
- Conditions of the playing surface, boards, glass, lighting, doors and the facility generally
- Negligence on the part of the Releasees, including a failure to safeguard or protect the Participant, or a failure to instruct, supervise, coach, officiate or provide or maintain equipment adequately
- Delay, error or inadequacy in first aid, medical assessment or emergency response
- Travel to and from Programs, and time spent at a venue before, between and after games
4. The risks of Goalie Battles (1v1)
Goalie Battles is NOT box lacrosse. It is a one-on-one shooting and goaltending competition played with a TENNIS BALL. Two participants face each other across nets set roughly 40 feet apart, each staying within their own crease for the whole battle. They SHOOT ONE AT A TIME, ALTERNATING: one participant shoots while the other defends their own net, and then the roles reverse, repeatedly, for the duration of the battle. There is no body contact and there are no teammates.
Because there is no contact, Goalie Battles deliberately requires LESS protective equipment than the Winter Box League. A participant is required to wear a helmet with a face mask and lacrosse gloves, and to use a lacrosse stick. Shoulder pads, arm pads and an athletic cup are NOT required. You should understand and accept that difference before registering. If you would prefer the Participant to wear additional protective equipment, they may do so.
The Participant, and the Guardian on the Participant's behalf, acknowledge that the risks of Goalie Battles include but are not limited to:
- Being struck by a tennis ball travelling at speed, including to the head, face, eyes, throat, hands or body — a tennis ball can cause serious injury, including permanent eye injury, and a helmet and face mask reduce but do not eliminate that risk
- Being struck by a ball shot deliberately toward the Participant's net while the Participant is defending it, which happens repeatedly throughout every battle
- Being struck by a rebound off the net, the crease area, the boards, the floor or a stick, from any direction and without warning
- Contact from the Participant's own stick or an opponent's stick, including to the hands, head and face
- Concussion and other traumatic brain injury, including injuries whose effects are delayed, cumulative, permanent or, in rare cases, fatal
- Injury to unprotected areas of the body, arising directly from the lighter equipment this format requires
- Slips, trips and falls on the playing surface, and collisions with nets, crease markings, boards, glass, equipment or another person while moving inside or around a battle station
- Repetitive strain, overuse and fatigue injury to the shoulders, arms, wrists and hands, caused by a high volume of shots and saves taken over a short period
- Heat illness, dehydration, exhaustion, cardiac events and aggravation of pre-existing conditions, including over the course of a long single-day event
- The conduct of the other participant, including play that is careless, reckless, outside the rules, or intentionally harmful
- Multiple battle stations operating at the same time in one arena, and being struck by a ball, stick or person from an adjacent station
- Negligence on the part of the Releasees, including a failure to safeguard or protect the Participant, or a failure to instruct, supervise, officiate, or provide or maintain equipment, nets or station layout adequately
- Delay, error or inadequacy in first aid, medical assessment or emergency response
- Travel to and from the event, and time spent at the venue before, between and after battles
5. The risks of instructional clinics
We run and host clinics — sessions where a Participant is taught a skill rather than playing a game. That includes stick stringing and equipment workshops, skills sessions, and sessions delivered by an outside instructor whose seat we have sold.
A clinic is not a game, and its risks are different. Some clinics involve hand tools, cord, blades and stick components. Some take place in an arena, beside or on a playing surface, while other activity is going on.
Where a clinic is delivered by an instructor who is not part of Greasy Ballers, that instructor is an independent third party. We do not supervise, control or direct how they teach, and they may ask you to accept their own terms on the day. Accepting theirs does not replace this agreement, and this agreement does not replace theirs.
The Participant, and the Guardian on the Participant's behalf, acknowledge that the risks of clinics include but are not limited to:
- Cuts, punctures and lacerations from scissors, knives, blades, awls, hooks, cord, wire and other tools and materials used in stringing and equipment work
- Injury to the hands, fingers, wrists and eyes from tools, cord under tension, or a component that slips or snaps
- Repetitive strain and fatigue to the hands, wrists, forearms and neck from sustained close work
- Slips, trips and falls in an arena environment, and collisions with boards, glass, benches, doors, seating and equipment
- Being struck by a ball, stick or person from any other activity taking place at the same venue
- The conduct of other participants, and of any independent instructor, staff member or volunteer present
- Negligence on the part of the Releasees, including a failure to supervise adequately, to select or vet an instructor adequately, or to provide or maintain a safe space, tools or materials
- Delay, error or inadequacy in first aid, medical assessment or emergency response
- Travel to and from the clinic, and time spent at the venue before and after it
6. Assumption of risk
Knowing the risks described in sections 3, 4 and 5, and understanding which of them apply to the Program the Participant is registering for, the Participant (and the Guardian, on behalf of a Participant under 18) freely and voluntarily accepts and assumes all of them, including the risk of injuries caused by the negligence of the Releasees.
The Participant is taking part by choice. Nobody at Greasy Ballers has represented that the Programs are free of risk, and no coach, staff member or volunteer has authority to give any such assurance.
7. Release of liability — participants aged 18 and over
This section applies to Participants who are 18 years of age or older. If the Participant is under 18, section 8 applies instead.
In consideration of being permitted to take part in the Programs, the Participant agrees:
- To WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS that the Participant has or may have in the future against the Releasees, and to RELEASE THE RELEASEES FROM ALL LIABILITY for any loss, damage, expense or injury, including death, that the Participant may suffer arising out of or connected with participation in the Programs, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, OR BREACH OF ANY STATUTORY OR OTHER DUTY OF CARE, INCLUDING ANY DUTY OF CARE OWED UNDER THE OCCUPIERS' LIABILITY ACT (ONTARIO), on the part of the Releasees
- That this waiver and release is binding on the Participant and on the Participant's heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and legal representatives
- Not to bring any claim or proceeding against any other person or entity who might claim contribution or indemnity from the Releasees in connection with the Participant's participation
8. Participants under 18 — terms for the parent or guardian
This section applies where the Participant is under 18 years of age. The Guardian confirms that they are the parent or legal guardian of the Participant and have authority to register the Participant.
The Guardian agrees, in two separate capacities:
(a) ON BEHALF OF THE PARTICIPANT — the Guardian has explained the risks in sections 3, 4 and 5 that apply to the Program to the Participant in terms the Participant can understand, the Participant is taking part voluntarily, and the Guardian accepts those risks on the Participant's behalf.
(b) PERSONALLY, IN THE GUARDIAN'S OWN RIGHT — the Guardian WAIVES ALL CLAIMS the Guardian has or may have against the Releasees arising out of injury to the Participant, and RELEASES THE RELEASEES FROM ALL LIABILITY for such claims, DUE TO ANY CAUSE WHATSOEVER INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE. This expressly includes any claim the Guardian may have under section 61 of the Family Law Act (Ontario) for loss of care, guidance and companionship, for expenses incurred on the Participant's behalf, or for any other derivative claim.
The Guardian further agrees to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the Releasees from any claim brought by or on behalf of the Participant arising out of the Participant's participation in the Programs, including the Releasees' reasonable legal costs of defending such a claim.
The Guardian is signing this agreement personally as well as on behalf of the Participant, and is doing so with the intention of being legally bound.
9. Concussion — Rowan's Law
Ontario's Rowan's Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 applies to Greasy Ballers. Before registering, the Participant (if under 26) and the Guardian (for a Participant under 18) must confirm every year that they have reviewed the Government of Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources and our Concussion Code of Conduct.
The Guardian and Participant acknowledge that a concussion is a brain injury; that it can occur without a direct blow to the head and without loss of consciousness; that continuing to play with a suspected concussion can cause serious and lasting harm; and that recovery must be managed properly.
If a Participant is suspected of having sustained a concussion, we will remove them from play immediately, and they may not return to any Greasy Ballers training, practice or game except in accordance with our Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport Protocol. The Guardian agrees to comply with that protocol, including any requirement for medical clearance, and agrees to tell us if the Participant sustains a concussion outside our Programs.
10. Fitness, equipment and conduct
The Participant confirms they are physically fit and able to take part, and that they have disclosed any medical condition, injury, allergy or medication that we should know about. If in doubt, consult a physician before registering.
The Participant must wear all protective equipment we require, in good condition and correctly fitted, for every game, practice and battle. We may refuse participation to anyone who is not properly equipped.
⚠️ WHAT WE REQUIRE DIFFERS BY PROGRAM, AND IT IS THE GUARDIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHICH APPLIES. The Winter Box League is full contact and requires full box lacrosse equipment, including a helmet with cage, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads and an athletic cup. Goalie Battles is non-contact, is played with a tennis ball, and requires only a helmet with a face mask, lacrosse gloves and a stick. The requirements for each Program are published on our website, and they are minimums — a Participant may always wear more.
The Participant and Guardian agree to follow our rules and codes of conduct, and to treat other players, coaches, officials, staff and facility employees with respect. We may suspend or remove any participant, and may refuse entry to any spectator, for conduct we consider unsafe, abusive or seriously disruptive. Removal for misconduct does not entitle anyone to a refund.
11. Medical treatment
If the Participant is injured or becomes ill during a Program and we cannot reach the Guardian, the Guardian authorises us to arrange first aid, ambulance transport and emergency medical treatment as we reasonably think necessary. The Guardian is responsible for any resulting costs.
We are not medical providers. Coaches, staff and volunteers are not qualified to diagnose injury, and nothing they say should be treated as medical advice.
12. Photography and video
Greasy Ballers may take photographs and video at Programs and use them to promote the league, including on our website and social media. The Participant and Guardian consent to that use, without payment.
If you would prefer the Participant not to appear, email hello@greasyballers.com and we will take reasonable steps to honour that. We cannot control photography by other families, spectators or third-party media at a public venue.
13. General
This agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada that apply in it, and the Participant and Guardian agree that any proceeding must be brought in the courts of Ontario.
If any part of this agreement is held unenforceable, that part is severed and the rest remains in force.
This agreement, together with any rules and codes of conduct we publish, is the entire agreement between us about the subject matter, and it replaces any earlier discussion or representation. No verbal assurance by anyone changes it.
Accepting this agreement electronically during registration has the same effect as signing it on paper. We record the date, time and version accepted. You may request a copy at any time by emailing hello@greasyballers.com.
14. Acknowledgement
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT. I UNDERSTAND IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BY AGREEING TO IT I AM GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE OR CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING AN INJURY, AND THAT THIS INCLUDES INJURIES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF GREASY BALLERS.
I AM AGREEING TO IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY. I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND TO SEEK INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE ACCEPTING IT.
WHERE THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18, I CONFIRM THAT I AM THEIR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN AND THAT I AM ACCEPTING THESE TERMS BOTH ON THEIR BEHALF AND IN MY OWN PERSONAL CAPACITY.
