FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – The world of international lacrosse expanded in January as two regions—one encompassing the Caribbean, Central and South America and the other representing Africa—began formation of their continental federations.
The actions came at the inaugural continental federation development meeting of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), held as part of FIL’s winter board meeting during the US Lacrosse Convention on January 19. Representatives from 14 member nations attended the meeting as well as representatives from the two existing continental federations, the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union and the European Lacrosse Federation.
FIL board members in attendance at winter meeting held during the US Lacrosse Convention on January 19. Standing from left to right: Lorna Powell, competition director; Bob DeMarco, development director; Steve Stenersen, vice president, Howie Borkan, general counsel; and Jim Scherr, chief executive officer. Seated from left to right: Ron Balls, secretary general; Sue Redfern, president; Tom Hayes, Olympic vision director; and Don Blacklock, technical director. © FIL 2018
“This meeting has been hugely beneficial and historical in creating the new continental federations,” said Storm Trentham, of Kenya. “I’m proud to be representing Kenya Lacrosse and helping grow the sport in Africa. It’s a very exciting time for our sport worldwide.”
Representatives provided a report to the attendees on the development and success of lacrosse in their respective countries. Lacrosse has grown quickly around the world with 60 member nations now represented in FIL.
“This is a really exciting time for international lacrosse as we are now providing more centralized governance through the addition of these two new continental federations,” said Bob DeMarco, FIL development committee director. “The commitment and energy felt in this meeting is representative of what is happening worldwide for the sport of lacrosse.”
FIL continental federations meeting attendees. Standing from left to right: Nancy Patrick (US Lacrosse), Dwight Clarke (Jamaica), Jaffari Ibrahim Makanda (Uganda), Emmanuel Charles (Haiti), Wendy Cuthbert (FIL development committee), Jan Van Cauwenberge (Belgium and European Lacrosse Federation – ELF), Won Jae Park (Korea and Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union – APLU), Andre Cook (Peru), Nathan Lowmaster (Puerto Rico), Bob DeMarco (FIL development director), Rick Mercurio (FIL development committee chair), Steven Michel (Bermuda), Mariano Flores Leyes (Argentina), Stan Cockerton (past FIL president), Juan Camilo Valero Lesmes (Colombia), Ron Balls (FIL secretary general), Trent Haffler (Chile) and Diego Valdivia Rodriguez (Mexico). Kneeling from left to right: Howie Borkan (FIL general counsel), Walter Rojas (Costa Rica) and Storm Trentham (Kenya). © FIL 2018
ATTENDEES RECEIVE FIL AWARD
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- Bob DeMarco with Mariano Flores Leyes, Argentina
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- Bob DeMarco with Nathan Lowmaster, Puerto Rico
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- Bob DeMarco with Steven Michel, Bermuda
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- Bob DeMarco with Emmanuel Charles, Haiti
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- Bob DeMarco with Trent Haffler, Chile
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- Bob DeMarco with Dwight Clarke, Jamaica
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- Bob DeMarco with Juan Camilo Valero Lesmes, Colombia
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- Bob DeMarco with Andre Cook, Peru
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- Bob DeMarco with Won Jae Park, Korea and Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union (APLU)
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- Bob DeMarco with Jan Van Cauwenberge, Belgium and European Lacrosse Federation (ELF)
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- Bob DeMarco with Jaffari Ibrahim Makanda, Uganda
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- Bob DeMarco with Walter Rojas, Costa Rica
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- Bob DeMarco with Walter Rojas, Costa Rica
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- Bob DeMarco with Storm Trentham, Kenya
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- Bob DeMarco with Wendy Cuthbert, FIL advisor
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- Bob DeMarco with Nancy Patrick, US Lacrosse
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- Bob DeMarco with Ron Balls, FIL secretary general
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- Bob DeMarco with Howard Borkan, FIL general counsel
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- Bob DeMarco with Stan Cockerton, former FIL board president
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- Bob DeMarco with Rick Mercurio, FIL development committee chair
Also attending for the FIL’s continental federations were Won Jae Park (Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union), and Jan van Cauwenberge (European Lacrosse Federation).
The meeting was organized and managed by the FIL development committee under the leadership of Demarco and Rick Mercurio, FIL development committee chair. Also assisting in conducting the meeting were: Stan Cockerton, FIL past president; Ron Balls, FIL secretary general; Howie Borkan, FIL general counsel; and Wendy Cuthbert, FIL development committee.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Jim Scherr, FIL chief executive officer: jscherr@worldlacrosse.sport or +1 719 330 4029.
