BALTIMORE — National lacrosse participation increased 11.7 percent in 2006, according to research by US Lacrosse for its annual participation report. US Lacrosse estimates that a total of 426,022 players were members of organized teams in 2006, from the youth level up through post-collegiate club and professional lacrosse.

The largest component of lacrosse participation is at the youth level (under 15), with more than 220,000 active players. High school lacrosse has grown to nearly 170,000 players around the country, up 68 percent in the last five years. Over the last 10 years, lacrosse has been the fastest-growing team sport at both the collegiate and high school levels, according to data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Data for the participation report was collected from US Lacrosse chapter surveys, the NCAA, the NFHS and from US Lacrosse membership information. A full copy of the participation report is available on the US Lacrosse Web site.

• Click here to access the 2006 US Lacrosse Participation Survey (PDF format)

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) corporation, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse and includes more than 215,000 active members. For more information about the organization, please visit its Web site at www.uslacrosse.org.