FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2020,
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA – The World Lacrosse Board of Directors approved the creation of two Commissions and one Working Group, all designed to address important areas of development and the advancement of new opportunities for participation in lacrosse, during its regularly-scheduled monthly meeting today.
By unanimous consent, the Board of Directors approved terms of reference for, and agreed to establish, the following:
Diversity and Opportunity Commission
Purpose: The Diversity and Opportunity Commission will advise the World Lacrosse Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Members of World Lacrosse through the General Assembly on diversity issues and opportunities in all areas of World Lacrosse activities and bring recommendations to both the Board and General Assembly.
The Chair of the Commission will be appointed by the Board and will attend all Board meetings.
Women in Sport Commission
Purpose: The Women in Sport Commission will advise the World Lacrosse Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Members of World Lacrosse through the General Assembly on the development and implementation of World Lacrosse Women in Sport policies and promote equal opportunities for girls and women to participate in and benefit from participation in the sport of lacrosse.
The Chair of the Commission will be the current President of World Lacrosse, Sue Redfern, as approved by the Board of Directors.
With the two Commissions now approved, World Lacrosse will begin the recruitment process to seat the Commissions this month. The process for nominations and applications will be publicized on the World Lacrosse website. Application materials will also be sent directly to the leadership of World Lacrosse member-National Governing Bodies and Continental Federations.
Women’s Indoor / Box Lacrosse Working Group
Purpose: To develop a pathway for development of women’s indoor/box lacrosse around the world.
The Chair of the Working Group is Michelle Bowyer, one of the most accomplished players in the history of Canadian Lacrosse. Beginning her playing career in box lacrosse, Bowyer won League, Provincial and Canadian National Championships while playing for Burnaby’s Kirby’s Klipettes from 1976-81. In 1981, Bowyer made the transition to field lacrosse and one year later was invited to compete for Team Canada in the first Women’s Field Lacrosse World Championship in Nottingham, England. She served as captain for Team Canada in three World Championships (1982, 1986 and 1989) before beginning a career in coaching. She was assistant coach for Team Canada at the World Championship in 1993 before being named head coach for the 1997 World Championship. Bowyer was recently inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Association Hall of Fame.
“For all the growth our game has experienced this past decade, we know that much more can be done — and should be done — to encourage greater diversity and opportunity for participation in lacrosse,” said President Redfern. “These two Commissions and the Working Group are critical elements in our strategy to make certain the pathway of
opportunity is as open and accessible as possible.”
Participating in a World Lacrosse Board of Directors meeting for the first time were newly appointed Independent Director Steve Govett and Director-Elect Sallie Barker.
Media Contact: Darryl Seibel
Phone: 719-374-5546
Email: dseibel@worldlacrosse.sport
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About World Lacrosse
World Lacrosse is the international federation for men’s and women’s lacrosse, responsible for providing effective leadership and governance of the sport internationally while supporting the continued growth of lacrosse worldwide. In November 2018, World Lacrosse was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The President of World Lacrosse is Sue Redfern of England.
