World Lacrosse facts for kids
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| Sport | Lacrosse |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | International |
| Membership | 91 |
| Founded | 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. This group is in charge of all types of lacrosse, including men's field lacrosse, women's lacrosse, and indoor box lacrosse.
World Lacrosse was created in 2008. It was formed when two separate groups for men's and women's lacrosse joined together. Their main office is in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the United States.
This organization has 91 member countries. It is special because it recognizes First Nations and Native American tribes as independent nations. For example, the Haudenosaunee Nationals team represents the Haudenosaunee people from New York and Ontario.
In 2018, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave World Lacrosse special recognition. This was a big step towards lacrosse possibly becoming an Olympic sport one day. In 2019, the organization officially changed its name to World Lacrosse.
Contents
Major Lacrosse Tournaments
World Lacrosse organizes many exciting tournaments for different age groups and types of lacrosse. Here are some of the main championships they run:
- World Lacrosse Men's Championship (Started in 1967)
- World Lacrosse Women's World Championships (Started in 1982)
- World Lacrosse Men's U20 Championship (Started in 1988) - This is for men under 20 years old.
- World Lacrosse Women's U20 Championship (Started in 1995) - This is for women under 20 years old.
- World Lacrosse Box Championships (Started in 2003) - This is for indoor lacrosse.
- World Lacrosse Men's Sixes Championship (Starting in 2026)
- World Lacrosse Women's Sixes Championship (Starting in 2026)
Who Are the Members of World Lacrosse?
As of March 2024, World Lacrosse has 92 member countries. These members are divided into two types: full members and associate members. Full members have more rights within the organization. Associate members are still growing their lacrosse programs.
These members are also part of four larger groups called continental federations. These federations help grow lacrosse in their specific parts of the world. Countries listed in italics are associate members.
Lacrosse in Africa
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)
Lacrosse in Asia and the Pacific
The Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union has 9 full members and 10 associate members.
Australia (1974)
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)
Lacrosse in Europe
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)
Lacrosse in the Americas
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)
Awards for Lifetime Achievements
World Lacrosse gives out a special Lifetime Achievement Award to people who have made a huge difference in the sport. Here are some of the people who have received this 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 organizations for men's and women's lacrosse.
International Lacrosse Federation (ILF)
The International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) started in 1974. Its goal was to help men's lacrosse grow around the world. Having separate groups for men's and women's lacrosse made it harder for lacrosse to become an Olympic sport.
In August 2008, the ILF and the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations decided to merge. They formed the Federation of International Lacrosse, which later became World Lacrosse.
The people who founded the ILF were:
- Thomas Hayes (USA)
- Don Hobbs (Australia)
- Laurie Turnbull (Australia)
- Nigel Wade (England)
The ILF organized major tournaments like the World Lacrosse Championship and the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. They also ran the men's Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships. World Lacrosse now manages all these events.
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 worldwide.
The IFWLA stopped operating in August 2008. This was when it agreed to join with the ILF to create the Federation of International Lacrosse.
The IFWLA supported important tournaments for women's lacrosse. These included the Women's Lacrosse World Cup and the Women's Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships. These tournaments are now run by World Lacrosse.
See also
In Spanish: World Lacrosse para niños
- List of national lacrosse governing bodies
- Lacrosse at the Summer Olympics
