The Philippines Lacrosse Association (PLA) has become the 50th member of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) as voted on by the FIL membership on February 17, 2014.
The PLA was originally formed in September 2012 and is led by their President, Ron Garcia. They have already been very active conducting clinics in various colleges, high schools and grade schools in the Philippines.
The PLA has met with representatives of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to become recognized as the National Sports Association for lacrosse in the Philippines.
“The FIL welcomes this newest member to our federation and looks forward to their involvement in our yearly events.”
—Tom Hayes, FIL Director of Development
Tom Hayes, FIL Director of Development, had this to say about Philippines as the newest member of FIL, “The leadership of the Philippines has been working extremely hard since 2012 to bring lacrosse to their country. The FIL welcomes this newest member to our federation and looks forward to their involvement in our yearly events. The PLA becomes the 9th lacrosse playing nation in our Asia–Pacific region.
Contact Philippines Lacrosse Association:
Philippines Lacrosse Association: Philippines Branch
Cluster 1, Bock 51, Lot 5, Providence Negros, Barangay Estefania
Bacolod City, 6100, Philippines
Contact: Gary Visitacion
Office #: +63-917-602-9016
Official Website: www.philippineslacrosse.org
About the PLA
The Philippines Lacrosse Association (PLA) is a 501(c)3 pending, non-profit organization whose mission is to introduce, develop and grow the sport of lacrosse in the Philippines. The members of our association are Filipinos and Filipino-Americans whose love of lacrosse has committed us to grow the game in the Philippines. It is our vision that one day, lacrosse will be played throughout the Philippines at all levels and will be governed by the Philippines Lacrosse Association as the National Sports Association for lacrosse in the Philippines.
In recent years, international lacrosse has grown rapidly, under the governance of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). It is the vision of the FIL that “Lacrosse is recognized and played by all countries world-wide and is an Olympic sport.” What was once primarily a North American sport has spread to 49 countries world-wide with international competition culminating in the FIL sanctioned World Lacrosse Championships. It is our goal is to do our part to help make the vision of the FIL a reality by developing lacrosse in the Philippines and one day field a national team to represent the Philippines in international competition.
The goals of the Philippines Lacrosse Association:
- Introduce, develop and grow the sport of lacrosse in the Philippines.
- Establish the Philippines Lacrosse Association as the National Governing Body/National Sports Association for lacrosse in the Philippines.
- Obtain membership with the Federation of International Lacrosse.
- Fund raise to support growth of lacrosse in the Philippines.
- Develop a Philippines National Team.