(COQUITLAM, BC) Mike Elefante received the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) 2016 International Lacrosse Development Committee Award (ILDC) on Saturday, July 16, 2016.
Bob DeMarco, Chair of FIL’s Development Committee, made the presentation during halftime of the gold medal game at the 2016 FIL U19 Men’s Lacrosse World Championship in Coquitlam, BC.
Elefante received the prestigious award because of his work in developing lacrosse in China – which recently received full member recognition and privileges by the FIL.
“Mike has been tireless in his efforts to grow lacrosse in China … He is truly deserving of the award”
—Bob DeMarco, FIL Development Committee Chair
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“Mike has been tireless in his efforts to grow lacrosse in China,” said DeMarco. “
16 July 2016 — Kentaro Shimizu and Mike Elefante receive FIL Development Awards during halftime of the USA-Canada championship game at the 2016 FIL U19 Men’s Lacrosse World Championship in Coquitlam, BC. From Left to Right: Kentaro Shimizu, 2016 Award Recipient; Stan Cockerton, FIL President; Rick Mercurio, FIL Development Committee; Bob DeMarco, FIL Development Committee Chair; Mike Elefante, 2016 Award Recipient. Photo: Paul Yates
He’s done it all – coached, raised money, helped found China Lacrosse, chaired the organizing committee for China’s 2014 Men’s World Championship team, and was part of the organizing committee for their U19 Team that just competed in the 2016 U19 Worlds here in Coquitlam.” DeMarco concluded, “He is truly deserving of the award.”
Elefante was grateful, saying “I’m honored to be receiving this award. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been in a position to help the development of lacrosse in China.”
Elefante says it’s all about giving back to the game. “One of the best things about lacrosse is the universal feeling that, in some way, we have to give back to the sport.”
Humbly he concluded, “I know anyone would have done what I did, and many would have done much more.”
Mike Elefante
“I don’t know who would have done much more than Mike has in China … We’re happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves.”I don’t know who would have done much more than Mike has in China … We’re happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves.”—Tom Hayes, FIL Director of Development
“I don’t know who would have done much more than Mike has in China,” said Tom Hayes, FIL’s Director of Development. Hayes continued, “The challenge of building a program in a country that large and complex both socially and politically is huge – and Mike made it happen. We’re happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves.”
Mike Elefante’s impressive accomplishments with China Lacrosse include:
University Lacrosse Coach 2009-2015
Tongji University
Shanghai University
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
Lacrosse Clinics organized or participated in 2009 – 2016
Federation of International Lacrosse
Japan Lacrosse Association
Shanghai Lacrosse
Sports Beijing (youth)
Active Kidz Shanghai (youth)
Building Blocks Lacrosse (NJ)
Stick with It Lacrosse (CA)
Clinics held in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou
Shanghai, March 2015 – Barton Wheeler, Assistant Coach (far left) and Mike Elefante, Head Coach (far right) with Team China prior to 2015 Hong Kong Open in April. Photo: CLA
China Lacrosse Men’s Head Coach 2009-2015
2012 Shanghai Cup
2013 ASPAC Tournament
2014 Hong Kong Open
2014 FIL World Championships
2015 Hong Kong Open
China Lacrosse Board of Directors 2011-2016
Initiated/Chaired Organizing Committee for China’s 2014 Men’s World Championship team
Worked on the organizing committee for China’s U19 Men’s World Championship team
Fundraising and Equipment Drives
Raised over $75,000 for China Lacrosse development over the last four years
4 Equipment drives amounting to 100 men’s sticks, 100 women’s sticks, 110 helmets, 60 pairs of gloves, 50 arm pads, goals, shooting targets, and balls
Equipment is used for starter programs in Shanghai and Beijing
Started Shanghai Lacrosse in 2011
Men’s league from 2011- present
Women’s league from Fall 2014 to present
Made up of players from China as well as expats from all over the world
Youth Programs
Active Kidz Shanghai – 2012
Sports Beijing – 2015
Concordia Youth Lacrosse – 2016
Helped establish and offer continual support for organizations in:
Shanghai
Beijing
Guangzhou
Shenzhen
Xinjiang
Nanjing
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For more information contact:
Tom Hayes, FIL Director of Development, at t.hayes@worldlacrosse.sport
