The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) has officially recognized Israel Lacrosse, enabling the country to participate in the Men’s World Championship.
The 12th edition of international lacrosse’s premier competition is set to take place in July 2014 in Denver, Colorado.
Israel is the 42nd country to be awarded membership in the FIL, which also operates a Women’s World Cup, Men’s and Women’s U-19, and Men’s Indoor championship events.
“The Federation of International Lacrosse Board of Directors has voted to accept Israel as an associate member,” said FIL Director of Development Tom Hayes. “We are extremely happy to include Israel as a member of the international community of lacrosse playing nations.”
National Team Tryouts will be held in 2013, and club lacrosse teams are forming in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
The group is also working towards securing European Federation membership. The next European Championships will be held in Amsterdam in June 2012.
“We believe a successful national program can fuel our developmental efforts to grow the sport here,” said Israel Lacrosse Director Scott Neiss. “There are many athletes in Israel who have competed in top-level college lacrosse programs. We’ll be competitive on the world stage right away.”
Neiss is also planning a free exhibition game at Kraft Stadium in
Jerusalem on August 13 to introduce the sport, as well as a series of
free youth lacrosse clinics throughout the country throughout the
summer.
Bill Beroza, a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the
Jewish Sports Hall of Fame who played for Team USA in three World Cups,
will serve as the team’s coach in 2014, while Cornell product Howie
Borkan was named General Manager of the program.
“I’m thrilled and honored to have been asked to coach this team in the
2014 Lacrosse World Championships in Denver,” Beroza said.
For a full schedule of clinic dates or more information regarding participating on the Jerusalem or Tel Aviv club teams, visit
www.lacrosse.co.il.