Plans for the new FIL Youth Lacrosse Development Programme are taking shape ©FIL

A new youth development scheme has been unveiled by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) to help fund budding players aged between four and 16.

The project has been named the Balls/Cockerton/Hayes programme in honour of longstanding FIL Board members Ron Balls, Stan Cockerton and Tom Hayes.

A main responsibility of the new panel will be to distribute grants worth up to $10,000 (£7,800/€9,350).

Grants are available to FIL members and emerging members.

They can be submitted for new start programmes as well as the "enhancement" and "expansion" of existing ones.

The new programme is named after FIL Board members Ron Balls, Stan Cockerton and Tom Hayes ©FIL
The new programme is named after FIL Board members Ron Balls, Stan Cockerton and Tom Hayes ©FIL

Clinics, intern placement schemes and new equipment can also be financed this way, a statement on the FIL website explained, as well as mentoring projects and Development Committee youth camps.

Matching grants where funding will be supported by a partnering organisation will also be considered.

Applications for 2017 support can be submitted immediately, and will be processed within 21 days.

The submission of an evaluation report is expected within 30 days of the completion of the approved programme.

All clinics and events supported through the funding must display FIL branding, including the Youth Lacrosse Development Programme logo.