The Lacrosse Fridays program, designed and led by Ali Heidari, President of the Iran Lacrosse Association, alongside coaches Hamed Abdolrasouli and Mehdi Jeddi, and supported by regional ambassadors, aims to transform lacrosse into a lasting cultural phenomenon in cities across Iran.
The initiative was created in September of 2023 to drive player turnout and participation in public parks and on makeshift fields. The program offers free training sessions and provides equipment at no cost to participants. It also focuses on training local male and female coaches and ambassadors, building a sustainable foundation for the game’s long-term growth in Iran.
“Sport for sport’s sake means preserving the essence and spirit of athleticism to inspire positive change and hope in society—this is exactly what we practice in Lacrosse Fridays,” said Heidari.
The initiative is more than just a sports program—it aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Lacrosse sustainability guidelines. Despite challenges like limited equipment and infrastructure, Iran’s men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have successfully expanded the sport to cities like Tehran, Karaj, Tabriz, and Rasht, thanks to support from World Lacrosse and dedicated volunteer efforts.
Inspired by World Lacrosse’s Athlete Development Model, the initiative fosters resilient, inclusive communities that prioritize gender equality, solidarity, and sustainability as core values. So far, the program has introduced lacrosse to over 1,000 individuals and helped to develop seven coaches, three male and four female.
In May, the Iran Lacrosse Association hosted the country’s first women’s national lacrosse tournament in Tehran, featuring teams from Tehran, Tabriz, and Karaj. All players were introduced to the sport and trained through Lacrosse Fridays, symbolizing hope for participation in future international competitions.
“The vision for Lacrosse Fridays is to gradually establish a decentralized league where local ambassadors and coaches unite thousands of participants every Friday—not just to play, but to live lives filled with health, joy, and solidarity,” said Hadi Nasiri, board member and public relations manager of the Iran Lacrosse Association.
As the ILA takes further steps in the development process, it will aim for full support from Iran’s Ministry of Sport and Youth and from its National Olympic Committee. The ILA is exploring innovative solutions to gain resources and equipment as it expands the grassroots and development model of Lacrosse Fridays.
“While playing in the 2028 Olympics is a significant dream for every nation, my vision goes beyond that,” said Heidari. “I dream of a future where children and teenagers across Iran embrace lacrosse—playing it in alleys, on streets, basketball courts, dusty fields and any place imaginable. To me, this represents not just ultimate growth, but true excellence in the development of lacrosse within any country.”
