World Lacrosse facts for kids
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| Sport | Lacrosse |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | International |
| Membership | 94 |
| Founded | 30 September 2008 |
| Affiliation | ARISF, IWGA, GAISF |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| President | Sue Redfern |
| CEO | Jim Scherr |
| Vice president(s) | Steve Stenersen |
| (founded) | IFWLA (1972) ILF (1974) |
| Official website | |
World Lacrosse (WL) is the main organization that manages the sport of lacrosse around the world. It used to be called the Federation of International Lacrosse. World Lacrosse is in charge of all types of lacrosse, including men's, women's, and indoor versions.
This organization was created on September 30, 2008. It was formed when the two separate international groups for men's and women's lacrosse joined together. World Lacrosse has its main office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the United States.
World Lacrosse has 92 member countries. It is special because it is the only international sports group that recognizes First Nations bands and Native American tribes as independent nations in sports. For example, the Haudenosaunee Nationals team represents the Haudenosaunee people from New York and Ontario.
In November 2018, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave World Lacrosse "provisional recognition." This means the IOC was considering lacrosse for future Olympic Games. In May 2019, the organization changed its name from Federation of International Lacrosse to World Lacrosse.
In March 2022, World Lacrosse decided to suspend Russian teams, athletes, and officials from its events. This also meant that no World Lacrosse or European Lacrosse Federation events would be held in Russia.
Contents
Tournaments Organized by World Lacrosse
World Lacrosse organizes many exciting tournaments for different age groups and types of lacrosse. These events bring together teams from all over the world.
- World Lacrosse Men's Championship (Started in 1967)
- World Lacrosse Women's Championship (Started in 1982)
- World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship (Started in 1988)
- World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship (Started in 1995)
- World Lacrosse Box Championships (Started in 2003)
- World Lacrosse Women's Box Championships (Began in 2024)
- World Lacrosse Men's Sixes Championship (Began in 2026)
- World Lacrosse Women's Sixes Championship (Began in 2026)
Member Countries
As of March 2024, World Lacrosse has 92 member countries. These members are divided into two types: 48 are "full members" and 44 are "associate members." Full members have more voting rights and have been part of the organization longer. Associate members are newer or still developing their lacrosse programs.
These member countries are also part of four larger groups called continental federations. These federations help grow lacrosse in their specific regions around the world. Associate members are shown in italics below.
African Association of Lacrosse
The African Association of Lacrosse has 2 full members and 13 associate members.
Benin (2023)
Botswana (2023)
Burkina Faso (2023)
Cote d'Ivoire (2023)
Ghana (2019)
Kenya (2016)
Mozambique (2023)
Nigeria (2022)
Rwanda (2022)
Sierra Leone (2023)
South Africa (2021)
Togo (2023)
Uganda (2011)
Zambia (2023)
Zimbabwe (2023)
Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union
The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union has 9 full members and 13 associate members.
Australia (1974)
Bangladesh (2025)
Cambodia (2022)
China (2012)
Hong Kong (2002)
India (2021)
Indonesia (2021)
Iran (2022)
Japan (1990)
Malaysia (2021)
New Zealand (2002)
Pakistan (2024)
Philippines (2014)
Qatar (2017)
Saudi Arabia (2021)
Singapore (2013)
South Korea (1995)
Chinese Taipei (2014)
Thailand (2010)
Uzbekistan (2023)
Vietnam (2021)
European Lacrosse Federation
The European Lacrosse Federation has 26 full members and 8 associate members.
Austria (2005)
Belgium (2009)
Bulgaria (2008)
Croatia (2016)
Czech Republic (1992)
Denmark (2003)
England (1974)
Estonia (2013)
Finland (2004)
France (2008)
Germany (1994)
Greece (2017)
Hungary (2011)
Ireland (2002)
Israel (2005)
Italy (2003)
Latvia (2004)
Lithuania (2019)
Luxembourg (2017)
Malta (2023)
Netherlands (2004)
Norway (2008)
Poland (2008)
Portugal (2008)
Russia (2011)
Scotland (1995)
Serbia (2010)
Slovakia (2004)
Slovenia (2005)
Spain (2004)
Sweden (1994)
Switzerland (2008)
Türkiye (2010)
Ukraine (2018)
Wales (1995)
Pan-American Lacrosse Association
The Pan-American Lacrosse Association has 11 full members and 11 associate members.
Argentina (2002)
Barbados (2019)
Bermuda (2006)
Brazil (2023)
Canada (1974)
Chile (2017)
Colombia (2013)
Costa Rica (2008)
Dominican Republic (2020)
Ecuador (2018)
Guatemala (2010)
Haiti (2016)
Haudenosaunee (1985)
Jamaica (2013)
Mexico (2009)
Nicaragua (2022)
Panama (2020)
Peru (2012)
Puerto Rico (2016)
United States (1974)
Uruguay (2022)
U.S. Virgin Islands (2020)
Lifetime Achievement Awards
World Lacrosse also recognizes people who have made a huge difference to the sport over many years. Here are some of the people who have received the Lifetime Achievement Award:
| Name | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Laurie Turnbull | Australia | 1974 |
| Jack Wilkinson | England | 1978 |
| Buzzy Budnitz | USA | 1982 |
| Marshall Spence | Canada | 1986 |
| Margaret Boyd | England | 1989 |
| Jane Vache | USA | 1989 |
| Clive Carr | Australia | 1990 |
| Elizabeth Blaydes | England | 1993 |
| Jackie Pitts | USA | 1993 |
| Stan Smith | England | 1994 |
| Lanetta Ware | USA | 2001 |
| Tom Hayes | USA | 2002 |
| Peter Hobbs | Australia | 2008 |
| Feffie Barnhill | USA | 2009 |
| Fiona Clark | Australia | 2009 |
| Susie Ganzenmuller | USA | 2009 |
| Marge Garinger | USA | 2009 |
| Sue Redfern | England | 2009 |
| Stan Cockerton | Canada | 2017 |
| Shelley Maher | Australia | 2017 |
| Sources: | ||
Past Lacrosse Organizations
Before World Lacrosse was formed, there were two separate international organizations for men's and women's lacrosse. They decided to merge to help lacrosse become an Olympic sport.
International Lacrosse Federation (ILF)
The International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) was started in 1974. Its goal was to promote and grow men's lacrosse around the world. Having separate groups for men's and women's lacrosse made it harder for lacrosse to be recognized as an Olympic sport.
In August 2008, in Finland, the ILF and the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations decided to merge. This new combined organization, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), officially began on September 30, 2008.
The founders of the ILF were:
- Thomas Hayes (USA)
- Don Hobbs (Australia)
- Laurie Turnbull (Australia)
- Nigel Wade (England)
The ILF used to run the World Lacrosse Championship, the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship, and the men's Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships. These tournaments are now managed by World Lacrosse.
International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA)
The International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA) was created in 1972. Its purpose was to promote and develop women's lacrosse globally.
The IFWLA stopped operating in 2008 when it agreed to join with the ILF. Together, they formed the Federation of International Lacrosse. The IFWLA used to sponsor the Women's Lacrosse World Cup and the Women's Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships. These important tournaments are now also run by World Lacrosse.
See also
In Spanish: World Lacrosse para niños
- List of national lacrosse governing bodies
- Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics
