International Lacrosse

The Spirit of International Lacrosse

No other sport has conveyed synonymity to agility, assertiveness, action, thrill and excitement, humor, drama, and obsession than lacrosse. Sweeping through 30 countries participating in various championship games, the lacrosse is fitting to be pronounced as the game of the century. One who has not seen this game yet may perceive such as a sport from outer space with each player carrying a millennial staff. But to those who have lived, breathed and clothed this sport, one can undoubtedly unquestion the escalation of International lacrosse.

The French Jesuits, who settled in North America in the 1600s, were believed to be the Fathers of Lacrosse. Once standards civilized the Indian-invented game, according to historians, France was the first the country to play the modern lacrosse. But it grew more popularity in Canada making it its official summer sport. Spreading its fame southwards, United States carried out small championship games in Maryland and neighboring states in the 19th century. Lacrosse entered the Olympics in 1908 for the first and the last time. It also captured a small chunk of players and fans in Great Britain and Australia. Yet it was only in the 70s that a milestone in International lacrosse took place. This significant step was the formation of the International Lacrosse Federation.

The ILF of International Lacrosse Federation was the governing body for mens lacrosse. It was founded in 1974 with the aim of advancing the game. A separate organization for womens lacrosse is the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations. Another organizing body for the European lacrosse is the European Lacrosse Federation. This apparent partition in international lacrosse organizations for both men and women has hindered the sport’s entry to the Olympics.

Despite this, supporting countries of the sports have produced a number of international lacrosse champions. The World Championships or WLC is the pioneer in modern lacrosse tournament. There are four competitions: mens, womens, men under 19, and women under 19. Before the 1980s, the World Championships, which was held after every four years, were only participated by six nations. Today, more than 20 countries have made delegations to the 2006 Men’s World Championship. The United States dominates the World Championships with eight trophies at hand.

What used to be a yearly event, the European Lacrosse Championships also contributed much to the international lacrosse community. The European Lacrosse Champions has made known the best teams in both mens and womens lacrosse.

Apparently the youngest in international lacrosse tournaments is the World Indoor Lacrosse Championship or (WILC). Six teams joined the tournament from Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Iroquois Nations, Scotland and the United States. WILC, which had just launched in 2003 and was hosted by Ontario, Canada. WILC also elevated the Iroquois Nations’ status in lacrosse, though just a runner up to Canada. The Iroquois, historically, are the first people who played and mastered the lacrosse game.

The Iroquois National Team is composed of six nations primarily by Native American ethnics. The International Lacrosse Federation sanctioned them in 1990. The Iroquois have garnered three wins in the World Lacrosse Championships.

The increasing number of lacrosse fans continues today as international lacrosse penetrates more and more nations. Asian nations like Japan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong are picking up also. This goes to show that whatever race and tradition, everybody comes together for the spirit of sportsmanship.