Lacrossing Barriers

What Lacrossing Barriers does

Lacrossing Barriers is a Canadian non-profit organization, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and operating adaptive sports programs across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. It was spun out of the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society (AAFS) of Calgary in 2015 under founder and Executive Director Scott Godfrey, and launched its first adaptive lacrosse program in fall 2018 with eight participants. The organization serves individuals with disabilities — particularly people on the autism spectrum and other marginalized communities — alongside youth, families, and adults seeking inclusive recreational and life-skills programming.

The organization's core product is an adaptive, equipment-included multi-sport portfolio anchored on lacrosse and expanded to boxing, dance, rugby, judo, para wheelchair lacrosse, and a peer mentorship day program, delivered through weekly sessions, drop-ins, and seasonal camps (including the Great Canadian Wheelchair Sport Camp, All Abilities Adaptive Multi-Sport Camp, and All Girls Yes She Can Camp). Its underlying "technology" is adaptive equipment modification and inclusive program design methodology, with the proprietary Para Wheelchair Lacrosse program co-developed by University of Calgary Community Rehabilitation graduates serving as a domain-specialized differentiator. Supporting media platforms (the Tech-Lax Podcast launched February 2023 and a Substack newsletter) extend brand reach beyond direct service delivery.

The revenue model combines modest program registration fees (with a free first drop-in session and standing financial-assistance policy) with donations, in-kind corporate sponsorship, and grant funding from partners including the Electronic Recycling Association, Calgary Flames Sports Bank, Jumpstart (Canadian Tire), the NLL Players Association, PLL Assists, the Calgary Roughnecks, and Toronto Rock. Distribution is direct via online sign-up forms segmented by province, with venue access anchored by pro-team facilities (notably Toronto Rock's Oakville practice facility). GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on referrals, ambassadors, and partnerships rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Lacrossing Barriers

Legal name

Lacrossing Barriers

Website

https://lacrossingbarriers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lacrossing Barriers is a Calgary-based Canadian non-profit that delivers adaptive, equipment-included multi-sport programs — anchored by lacrosse and extended to boxing, dance, rugby, judo, and para wheelchair lacrosse — for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports and Recreation Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Coaching (HSADAEAM), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Inclusive lacrosse programs
• Para wheelchair lacrosse
• Adaptive multi-sport camps
• Community disability sport

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Program Registration Fees: Participants pay program fees that vary by activity. Financial assistance is available upon request and no one is turned away due to cost.
2. Donations and Support: Support from corporate sponsors, community partners, and donors. ERA provides electronics; Calgary Flames Sports Bank provides equipment; various partners support programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lacrossing Barriers delivers inclusive adaptive multi-sport programming across Canada, with adaptive lacrosse as the flagship program alongside boxing, dance, rugby, judo, and para wheelchair lacrosse. Programs are community-based, equipment is provided, and services are open to participants of all abilities with financial assistance available so that no one is turned away. The organization complements its in-person programs with supporting media such as a newsletter and podcast for community storytelling and outreach.

Product overview

Lacrossing Barriers is a non-profit adaptive sports organization offering a portfolio of sports programs and community initiatives. The core offering consists of adaptive sports programs including Lacrosse (the primary program), Boxing Across Barriers, Dancing Across Barriers, Adaptive Inclusive Rugby, Adaptive Inclusive Judo, and Para Wheelchair Lacrosse. Additional services include the Peer Mentorship Day Program for life skills development, and seasonal Camps programs. The organization also operates supporting media platforms including the Tech-Lax Podcast and LB Newsletter. All programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible to participants of all abilities, with equipment provided free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lacrossing Barriers Lacrosse Adaptive and inclusive lacrosse program introducing participants to Canada's national summer sport in a community-focused environment with all equipment and modifications provided for athletes of all abilities.
• Boxing Across Barriers Adaptive boxing program combining movement, fitness, coordination, and empowerment in a safe and inclusive setting, teaching fundamentals such as footwork, balance, pad work, and conditioning.
• Dancing Across Barriers Adaptive and inclusive tap dancing program designed to help participants build confidence, coordination, creativity, and connection through movement, open to all abilities and experience levels.
• Adaptive Inclusive Rugby Adaptive inclusive rugby program providing participants the opportunity to experience rugby in a supportive and accessible environment, developing teamwork, communication, movement skills, and confidence.
• Adaptive Inclusive Judo Adaptive inclusive judo program introducing participants to judo fundamentals through structured, supportive, and accessible instruction, focusing on balance, coordination, discipline, respect, and confidence.
• Para Wheelchair Lacrosse Para wheelchair lacrosse program developed collaboratively by Liz Arquiza and Olivia Ory, enabling participants with disabilities to experience lacrosse using adapted wheelchairs and equipment.
• Women's Lacrossing Barriers (WLB) Women's-specific adaptive lacrosse initiative under the Lacrossing Barriers umbrella, focused on providing opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities.
• Peer Mentorship Day Program Inclusive day program providing participants with a supportive, engaging, community-focused environment to build independence, confidence, social connections, and everyday life skills through daily activities and peer mentorship.
• Lacrossing Barriers Camps Adaptive and inclusive multi-sport camp experiences including Great Canadian Wheelchair Sport Camp, All Abilities All Possibilities Adaptive Inclusive Multi-Sport Camp, and All Girls Yes She Can Camp.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Electronic Recycling Association (ERA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerERA has provided Lacrossing Barriers with much needed electronics to help programs grow properly, run smoothly and remain sustainable. This partnership enables the organization to maintain operational infrastructure.
• Calgary Adapted HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary Adapted Hub offers inclusive and accessible sport and recreation programming throughout the city for children, youth and families living with physical, intellectual, sensory and developmental disabilities.
• Calgary Flames Sports BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGives free gently used sports equipment to children across Southern Alberta. Kids from qualified families receive clean, effective and safe gear, supporting Lacrossing Barriers participants.
• Sport CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport Calgary assists and supports the growth of sport in the city. Their major event is All Sport One Day, providing youth opportunities to try sports for free.
• Jumpstart (Canadian Tire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJumpstart has helped kids get active while overcoming financial and accessibility barriers for 20 years by giving opportunities to kids from families in financial need.
• NLL Players AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Association gives a voice to NLL members and works with labor organizations to advance working conditions. Supports adaptive lacrosse initiatives and community programming.
• PLL AssistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLL Assists uses lacrosse as a tool to create positive social change and inclusive sporting communities. Recognizes Indigenous origins of lacrosse, honors veterans, and advocates environmental sustainability.
• Calgary RoughneckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalgary's National Lacrosse League team (3x league champions, most recently 2019). Many ambassadors and friends on the team who are close supporters of Lacrossing Barriers.
• Toronto RockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerToronto Rock partners with Lacrossing Barriers for weekly programs held at the Rock's practice facility in Oakville, Ontario.
• Royal Bay Lacrosse AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbigail Janzen coaches at Royal Bay Lacrosse Academy while also serving as an LB Ambassador and Facilitator, creating connections between the programs.
• Bluebird Self StorageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStorage partner providing high quality storage solutions for Lacrossing Barriers equipment and supplies.
• AAFS CalgarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal parent organization (Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary) where adaptive lacrosse programming began in 2004. Lacrossing Barriers evolved from AAFS programs. Thunder Monkeys AAFS Lacrosse Club maintains connections.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Jumpstart (Canadian Tire Charitable Foundation): Major national funder helping kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport. Already a core partner of Lacrossing Barriers; comparable mandate of removing cost barriers to youth sport participation.
• Special Olympics Canada: National governing body for adaptive competitive sport serving individuals with intellectual disabilities across Canada. Overlaps in mission (inclusive sport for marginalized communities) and funding pools, but operates at a vastly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Calgary Adapted Hub: Calgary-based inclusive sport and recreation programming for children, youth, and families with physical, intellectual, sensory, and developmental disabilities. Direct overlap in adaptive recreation programming, geography, and target population.
• BC Adaptive Sports: British Columbia-based adaptive sport and recreation provider. Directly overlaps with Lacrossing Barriers' BC programs in Burnaby/Coquitlam/Mission and competes for similar participants and sponsorships.
• Variety Village: Toronto-area adaptive sport and fitness facility serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable multi-sport, all-abilities programming model in the Ontario market where Lacrossing Barriers also operates.
• The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement: University of Alberta–affiliated adaptive physical activity, recreation, and research center in Edmonton. Comparable expertise in adapted fitness programming and serves a similar Alberta-based disability community.
• Autism Aspergers Friendship Society of Calgary (AAFS): Original parent organization from which Lacrossing Barriers emerged; continues to provide social and recreational programs for people on the autism spectrum in Calgary, including the Thunder Monkeys AAFS Lacrosse Club.
• PLL Assists: Premier Lacrosse League's social impact arm using lacrosse as a tool for inclusion, indigenous recognition, veteran support, and environmental advocacy. Direct peer in mission and lacrosse-specific community programming.

Regional players

• Alberta Amputee Sports and Recreation Association: Provincial adaptive sport organization where Lacrossing Barriers' Senior Partnership Coordinator Chelsea Coates is vice president. Strong overlap in networks, leadership, and Alberta-based adaptive sports programming.

Emerging players

• Canadian Adaptive Sports Association: Canadian organization supporting adaptive sport development. While more winter-sport focused, it shares the broader adaptive-sport ecosystem, participant population, and grant-funding environment as Lacrossing Barriers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lacrossingbarriers
• Instagraminstagram.com/lacrossingbarriers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lacrossingbarriers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lacrossing Barriers