The mission of the OLA is to govern, improve, foster, and perpetuate the sport of lacrosse in Ontario.

One of the oldest team sports in North America, the origins of lacrosse lie with the Native American people who lived in Ontario, Quebec and western New York.

Although official competition was impacted by the number of participants available during both World War I and World War II, lacrosse teams have maintained activity on an annual basis since the inception of the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

Minor box clubs are divided into zones for league play and the provincial champion is crowned in 6 divisions every August at the Ontario Lacrosse Festival in Durham Region.

[citation needed] The champion of four of the OLA's five box leagues compete in national championships: