(WILC2015 NEWS) Thousands of friends, family and members of the lacrosse community gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, in December to remember the life of NLL Hall of Famer Chris Hall, former head coach of the Calgary Roughnecks and Vancouver Stealth, who passed away on December 21 at the age of 64 after a four-year battle with cancer.
Hall’s 85 regular-season wins in the NLL rank third all-time behind Darris Kilgour (121) and Les Bartley (93). With an 11-6 career record in the postseason, Hall’s 11 playoff wins rank fourth all-time behind Bartley (22), Troy Cordingley (12) and Kilgour (12). “CH” had taken on an advisory role with the Stealth this past summer after stepping down from head coaching duties.
His role in the international game, grooming an English squad on the cusp of a medal for two consecutive World Championships, may have been less celebrated but certainly not less important. Hall took a roster of mostly “non-pros” into the 2007 World Championships and suffered respectable setbacks to Canada, Iroquois, and USA while topping everyone else for a fourth-place finish.
England delivered another top-five finish in 2011 when they outscored their traditional field lacrosse rivals in Australia, 43-16, in a pair of wins. While they suffered their first loss to Czech Republic to relinquish their fourth-place spot, the English have continued to put out strong squads–a testament to Hall, his process and work-ethic.
Mike Hasen, Team England Head Coach
With heavy hearts, England will look to a new bench boss, another, well-respected and established NLL coach with nearly a fistful of rings. Mike Hasen, who has coached the Rochester Knighthawks since 2010, is the first person to lead a team to three consecutive NLL titles.
“It is a great honour to be chosen to be apart of the group that will represent England in the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships,” said Hasen. “We look forward to the challenge and it will be a tough road, but we look to build upon the foundation that Chris Hall has implemented in previous Championships, which was understanding and growing our fundamentals and making sure we work hard no matter what.”
“Chris Hall expected 100% effort every time we stepped on the floor, this same expectation will be followed and needed in order to reach our goal of Gold in 2015.”
England Manager Jamie Tasko added “We are delighted to have Mike Hasen on board. It is an exciting time for the team and he brings a wealth of lacrosse experience on and off the field.“
2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Website: https://wilc2015.com/
About English Lacrosse
English Lacrosse Association governs the sport of lacrosse in England. An amalgamation of the All England Women’s Lacrosse Association and the English Lacrosse Union in 1996 brought together the men’s and women’s governing bodies. Lacrosse is now governed as one sport, with 2 codes (Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse). The English Lacrosse Association is strategically directed by an Executive Board. In 2012 the first 10 year strategy for the sport was released by the English Lacrosse Executive Board.
English Lacrosse 10 Year Strategy
English Lacrosse employs a central staff, and sponsors in excess of 100 American coaches every year.
English Lacrosse is a Sport England recognised governing body. The sport receives a funding grant from Sport England, every 4 years based on the strength of a Whole Sport Plan.
Website: https://www.englishlacrosse.co.uk/
