FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2020
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, USA — World Lacrosse will make available a record amount of funding in 2020 to support sport development grants for its member-National Governing Bodies and Continental Federations, along with education programs for coaches and officials.
Meeting this past weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, the World Lacrosse Board of Directors approved the organization’s operating budget for 2020, which calls for more than $500,000 in direct funding for sport development grants and programs. As reflected in the organization’s Strategic Operating Plan for 2020, World Lacrosse is continuing to raise the overall level of service and support provided to its members, particularly in areas that positively impact the continued growth of lacrosse globally.
World Lacrosse President Sue Redfern.
World Lacrosse is the international federation for men’s and women’s lacrosse, as officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). The international federation has 65 member-National Governing Bodies worldwide — a figure that is steadily rising and has increased more than 200 percent in the last two decades. The President of World Lacrosse is Sue Redfern of England who was elected to a second term, of four years, in August 2019.
“Interest in lacrosse continues to grow worldwide, and through the ongoing work of our National Governing Bodies, our long-term ambition is to make certain every young person who wishes to play lacrosse has an opportunity to do so, while preserving the enduring values of our wonderful game,” said President Redfern.
In other items addressed by the Board of Directors:
Chief Executive Officer Jim Scherr provided a detailed review of progress made against the organization’s Strategic Operating Plan since securing Provisional Recognition by the IOC in November 2018. Scherr also presented the budget and operating plan for 2020, which were approved.
Vice President Steve Stenersen provided a report on the work the Blue Skies Working Group, which is responsible for developing the new 6 v 6 disciplines and rule set, along with taking a holistic look at the current structure of World Championship events conducted by World Lacrosse. The report included feedback from players, coaches, officials and others who have participated in 6 v 6 trial events during the past six months.
Athletes Commission Chair Sean Gibson and Vice Chair Dana Dobbie presented a detailed report on the recently-approved Strategic Operating Plan for the Commission, which is built on a commitment to expand service and support to athletes, improving communication with athletes and supporting efforts by World Lacrosse to expand participation in the game globally. The World Lacrosse Board of Directors recently took the decision to add a second Athletes Commission member to the Board in order to ensure gender equity in athlete representation.
The Board reviewed the organization’s International Relations Strategy and received an update on efforts to secure inclusion for lacrosse in a growing number of international, multisport events.
The Board received reports on preparations for the 2020 World Lacrosse Men’s U19 World Championship in Limerick, Ireland and 2021 World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship in Towson, Maryland, USA.
President Redfern provided a report on the Governance Working Group, which held its first in-person meeting earlier this month and is responsible for identifying ways to continue improving the organization’s governance structure and internal communications channels.
The Board paid special tribute to Howard Borkan for his distinguished service to the international federation as its General Counsel and his enduring contributions to the game. World Lacrosse will announce a new General Counsel in the coming weeks.
Media Contact: Darryl Seibel
Email: dseibel@worldlacrosse.sport
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About World Lacrosse
World Lacrosse is the international federation for men’s and women’s lacrosse, responsible for providing effective leadership and governance of the sport internationally while supporting the continued growth of lacrosse worldwide. In November 2018, World Lacrosse was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The President of World Lacrosse is Sue Redfern of England.
