2010 World Championship News

World Lacrosse Championships Announcement on the Iroquois

There has been a great deal of media coverage about the plight of the Iroquois Lacrosse team who have struggled to get to the UK to attend the 2010 FIL World Lacrosse championships with their Iroquois passports.

Throughout this time, despite having no control over the decisions of USA and UK governmental agencies, the event organisers have been very supportive and very hopeful that the Iroquois team would be able to travel. The World Championships have always recognised the Iroquois team’s importance to the event and the game of lacrosse.

It has now become clear that despite the best efforts to keep a place open within the competition schedule for the Iroquois team to compete, the event programme is now so far advanced that should they still arrive they would no longer be able to take part on a competitive basis.

David Marsden head of the ELA World Championship Organising committee said: “The door has always been open for the Iroquois nation to attend the World Lacrosse Championships and if they finally get their visas to travel they will be welcomed with open arms but unfortunately it is now too late for them to be able to take part on a competitive basis in the event”

David Shuttleworth CEO of English Lacrosse Association (ELA) said: “Everybody is disappointed that the Iroquois team isn’t here as of course it is their game and they are a world renowned team so it’s not quite the same without them. This story has pushed the sport into the spotlight and in the UK lacrosse is fast growing sport. With it’s mix of skill and aggression it’s popular and gets kids off the streets. What Lacrosse really needs is a national sponsor to give us more financial support so we can build on the good work being done by our development officers across the country.”

The FIL World Lacrosse Championships, taking place in Manchester in 2010 have received a massive boost with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) pledging their support.

Lacrosse has an immensely strong history within the North West, with Manchester having hosted the 1978 and 1994 World Championships.

The championships will run between the 15th – 24th July 2010. There will also be a FIL Festival from 17th-22nd July, for the first time in the history of the championships.

The NWDA works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest. As part of its work, the NWDA works with partners to secure world-class events, which are distinctive and capable of attracting large numbers of visitors from outside the region and which significantly, enhance the profile of the region.

As a result of the World Lacrosse Championships, the North West region is expected to experience £6.4 million in economic benefit.

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the NWDA, said:
“This is the third time these championships have been held in the Northwest and they will bring significant economic benefits. Up to 20,000 visitors are expected, with many from overseas, which is excellent for businesses and tourist attractions across the region. Lacrosse is also a thrilling sport to watch and to play. I am pleased we have been able to help bring such a distinctive event to Manchester."

The championships will bring together over 30 different nations and the festival will attract 64 elite international teams from all over the world. The event is being held at the Armitage Centre, Manchester University’s sports grounds. A total of 2,000 athletes are expected to participate in the event with 10,000 -20,000 spectators purchasing up to 40,000 tickets.