to the New Home of Mexico Lacrosse
Mexico Lacrosse will unveil it's program to the world this summer with these exciting playing and coaching opportunities for the members of our Men's Elite team.
1. KICK-OFF WEEKEND, June 27-28, 2008, San Jose, Ca.
Opponent Named for Scrimmage- Palo Alto Lacrosse Club
2. LAKE TAHOE TOURNAMENT, July 25-27, Incline Village, NV (Northshore)
(Click the logo for Event Details and Itinerary)
While standing on the sidelines of the exciting and spirited Korea vs. Spain game at the 2006 World Lacrosse Championships in London, Ontario, Canada, Iliad Rodriguez had a sudden revelation. With the growth of lacrosse world wide serving as an inspiration, Rodriguez thought,"Why can't we develop lacrosse in Mexico?" That thought gave birth to a dream, and now that dream is becoming a reality.
Rodriguez, a long-time Mexican-American lacrosse player, coach, administrator, and enthusiast from California, has been chasing the dream of bringing lacrosse to the land of his ancestors. At the 2007 US Lacrosse Coach's Convention held annually every winter in Philadelphia, Rodriguez met with Steve Stenerson, Executive Director of US Lacrosse to discuss his idea. Stenerson became an enthusiastic supporter of Rodriguez' goals for Mexico Lacrosse and agreed with his strategy for getting a program started. Stenerson pledged to assist and support Mexico Lacrosse in any way possible.
Since that meeting, both Rodriguez and Stenerson have been in touch with the International Lacrosse Federation regarding Mexico Lacrosse's future participation in international competition. Efforts are developing at a steady pace, and hopes are high for Mexico Lacrosse to compete in the next World Championships to be held in Manchester, England in the summer of 2010. Rodriguez can't wait, "I can't believe that I was a fan on the sidelines at the World's in '06, and I could conceivebly be playing, and/or coaching Team Mexico at the next World Championships. It would be like a dream come true."
01/23/08
By Iliad Rodriguez
On the weekend of January 18-20, 2008, US Director of Mexico Lacrosse Iliad Rodriguez traveled to the US Lacrosse Coaches Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On Friday evening, Rodriguez met with many members of the International Lacrosse Federation's Development Committee at a social gathering hosted by the ILF's Director of Development Joe Gold.
Rodriguez met ILF delegates from Germany, England, Japan, and several members from the United States. All of the ILF members present received Rodriguez and Mexico Lacrosse with excitement and enthusiasm. The ILF members seemed impressed by the rapid progress of Mexico Lacrosse, yet cautioned Rodriguez about the harsh realities of developing lacrosse in a foreign country. The members made it clear that Mexico Lacrosse's petition for ILF membership status hinges on their ability to develop and establish lacrosse leadership and programs in Mexico.
The ILF members present at the convention met earlier in the day to discuss the business of the ILF and potential development issues. Even though Rodriguez was not able to make it to Philadelphia in time for that meeting, he provided a detailed update memo that was presented to the members by Development Director Joe Gold. (see Documents link) Rodriguez' memo explained to the ILF the progress of Mexico Lacrosse's development to date. The members were hopeful that Mexico Lacrosse would be able to acheive the necessary standards for inclusion in the ILF as an associate member.
Stay tuned for more developments on Mexico Lacrosse's petition to become an ILF associate member.
Tag(s): News & Events Women, Elite Men, Elite Boys, Under 15
01/14/08
By Iliad Rodriguez
Since the debut of Mexico Lacrosse's new website, www.mexicolacrosse.com, eager lacrosse players, coaches, and enthusiasts have been joining the Mexico Lacrosse movement at a rapid pace. The Men's Elite team has shown the most growth with about 15 eligible players signed up to date. The Women's Eltie team has just begun to draw interest and recently registered their first member, and more are sure to follow.
Word of Mexico Lacrosse has swept like wild fire through the California lacrosse community and players are signing up to participate in this unique opportunity to represent their heritage through their favorite sport. Most new registrants to date are Mexican-American players with both high school, and college experience. Most of the players who have signed on with Mexico Lacrosse are from the San Francisco Bay Area (California) and the San Diego area. However, Mexico Lacrosse has registered players as far away from Mexico as Minnesota!
Interest in Mexico Lacrosse is sure to grow as program director Iliad Rodriguez will be traveling to the US Lacrosse Coaches Convention in Philadelphia on January 18th to promote the program and meet with International Lacrosse Federation officials. Rodriguez is asking all new registrants to send him the contact and player profile information requested on the website and to spread the word amongst their lacrosse playing friends and opponents. "This program can only grow if everyone helps promote it." Rodriguez said.
The interest in the Men's Elite team is so strong, Rodriguez has decided to pursue some competition this summer. "Guys are stoked to join a team like this if they know that they will be competing against top notch competition and get some playing time." Rodriguez said. "They have to have something to shoot for", he added. Rodriguez will most likely register Team Mexico in a summer tournament on the west coast. His favorite is the Lake Tahoe tournament which takes place the last week of July every summer at Incline Village, Nevada. "Tahoe will be a perfect testing ground for us. The competiton is strong, but the atmosphere is very casual and comraderie amongst players and teams is always very good." Rodriguez said. Since so many current Mexico Lacrosse members are Californians, Rodriguez is going to try to schedule at least one practice and scrimmage before the Tahoe tournament.
Stay tuned to www.mexicolacrosse.com for more details as they develop.
Tag(s): News & Events Men, Elite
12/19/07
By Inside Lacrosse
December 10, 2007 ENGLISH Lacrosse is delighted to announce the launch of the official 2010 ILF Men's World Lacrosse Championship website. www.2010worldlacrosse.com is launched today as the countdown to the 10th Men’s World Championship gets underway, with the tournament set to run between 10-24 July at theManchester University Sports Facility, The Firs. And as a sign of continued progress ahead of what promises to be the biggest-ever showcase of lacrosse in Britain, English Lacrosse would like to welcome on board their first official event partner, The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “The 2010 ILF Men’s World Lacrosse Championship is set to be a huge event drawing competitors from across the globe and the NWDA is delighted to be the first official sponsor. “The Northwest boasts a proud sporting heritage and with our world class facilities, excellent transport links and history of holding successful major events, has a great deal to offer major sporting tournaments. “Our strategy for major events recognises the unique opportunities offered by international sporting events which attract visitors from around the world, making a significant contribution to our regional economy and enhancing the image of the Northwest.” For more information on NWDA, visit their website at www.nwda.co.uk With the NWDA on board and the new website launched, English Lacrosse Chief Executive Officer David Shuttleworth is understandably confident of the tournament’s success. “Perhaps the most exciting development in Lacrosse in recent years, alongside the growth of professional Lacrosse in North America, has been the rapid expansion of the game internationally,” said Shuttleworth. “For many years a World Championship meant Australia, Canada, England and the USA. In the late 1980s these countries were joined by the Iroquois Nationals and Japan. “The first sign of the game spreading came in 1994 when England hosted the World Championship and alongside the main event ran a tournament for developing nations which included the Czech Republic, Germany, Scotland, Sweden and Wales. Since then every World Championship has seen an increase in the numbers of competing nations. “In 2010 England will again be hosting the World Championship in Manchester; one of the world’s greatest sporting cities. “Over 30 nations are expected to compete and alongside the World Championship English Lacrosse will be running one of the largest Festivals of Lacrosse ever seen. “The Festival will see teams of all ages and abilities playing Lacrosse and being part of a World Championship event. “English Lacrosse and the city of Manchester are excited at the prospect of welcoming the Lacrosse world in 2010.”
from press releases
Tag(s): News & Events
