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Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Youth Lacrosse is introducing a new program for girls in first through fifth grades.

The 2010 girls fall lacrosse program kicks off this month for local athletes. First- and second-grade sessions are Fridays from Sept. 10 to Oct. 8. The cost is $50 and includes a girls lacrosse stick.

The program for girls in grades three through five is Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday to Oct. 7. The cost is $75 and includes a girls lacrosse stick and goggles.

Participants in both sessions also will be charged a $25 fee for a U.S. Lacrosse membership. The membership lasts for a year and includes a year subscription to Lacrosse Magazine.

Online registration is available until today at www.steamboatyouthlacrosse.org.

Steamboat Youth Lacrosse Director Neill Redfern said he hopes the programs help spur interest in girls lacrosse. A girls spring league that begin in 2006 ended in 2008 for a variety of reasons. Redfern said the hope is to get girls interested enough in lacrosse during the fall sessions to eventually bring back the spring sessions.

Part of the problem, Redfern said, was finding the right person to direct the girls sessions.

“Instead of waiting to find that person — someone that can commit that time — we thought the girls still need to play,” he said.

The fall sessions will focus on fundamentals. Redfern said he hopes to build confidence in the girls so they continue playing through middle school and possibly into high school.

A big selling point for the clinics is the free lacrosse sticks and goggles. Redfern said with those included in the registration fee, the girls essentially get a free lacrosse clinic, outside of the $25 membership to U.S. Lacrosse.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.steamboatyouthlacrosse.org or call 871-6100.