English Lacrosse Association
Encyclopedia
Lacrosse
in England is an amateur sport played mainly by community based clubs and university teams. Lacrosse began in England
in 1876 when a visiting group of Canadians captained by Dr. W. G. Beers
of Montreal
played exhibition matches up and down the country. By 1883, when a second tour group captained by Beers visited England there were 60 clubs playing regular fixtures in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Middlesex and Yorkshire.
In 1892, the English Lacrosse Union (ELU) was formed. In 1996, under the guidance of Sport England
, the ELU and All England Women's Lacrosse Association joined together to form one national governing body, the English Lacrosse Association (ELA) . The constitution of the ELA came into effect in 1997.
Men's club lacrosse in Britain is divided into Northern and Southern Leagues, each with so-called Flags competitions at the end of each Winter season. In addition to the regular 10-a-side season there are other tournaments, such as those at Stockport and Bath, which use a 6-a-side or 8-a-side format and shorter games.
Men's North is governed by NEMLA (North of England Men's Lacrosse Association) was formed in 1897 when 10 clubs began playing regular fixtures. NEMLA now comprises a Premiership and four further Senior Divisions. There is also a
Men's South is governed by SEMLA (South of England Men's Lacrosse Association) and comprises a Premier Division, two West Divisions (including South Wales), and two East Divisions. For 2 seasons (2005/06, 2006/07), a Midlands division was run. However, the Midlands league consisted of University teams and with the introductions of a BUCS mens league, the Midlands league was removed.
The main focus of men's lacrosse popularity in Britain is the North-West of England, around the Manchester area. This is reflected by its selection to host the men's world championships in 1978 and 1994, and again for the forthcoming 2010 world championships. A second centre is in the South of England, especially around the London area.
Men's lacrosse is a common minority sport in Universities, which along with club-based youth programs, provide the majority of newcomers with their first experiences of the sport. In 2008, a mens BUCS league was introduced, providing greater support and recognition to mens university teams.
A small number of private schools have strong traditions, but most schools can only offer the sport with help from a local club and a touring coach.
is divided into Women's North, Women's South East Premier, Women's South East 1st Division and Women's South West.
England finished in 5th place and in the Women's Lacrosse World Cup
in 2005, England finished 3rd.
In the men's 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
England finished in 4th place.
In the 2008 European Lacrosse Championships
England successfully defended their title in the Men's competition, and came second in the Women's competition
The 2010 World Lacrosse Championships were held in Manchester, England from 16–24 July at the Manchester University Sports Ground, The Armitage Centre. The England team finished the tournament in 5th place.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
in England is an amateur sport played mainly by community based clubs and university teams. Lacrosse began in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1876 when a visiting group of Canadians captained by Dr. W. G. Beers
William George Beers
William George Beers , a noted Canadian dentist and patriot, is referred to as the "father of modern lacrosse" for his work establishing the first set of playing rules for the game.-Lacrosse:...
of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
played exhibition matches up and down the country. By 1883, when a second tour group captained by Beers visited England there were 60 clubs playing regular fixtures in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Middlesex and Yorkshire.
In 1892, the English Lacrosse Union (ELU) was formed. In 1996, under the guidance of Sport England
Sport England
Sport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
, the ELU and All England Women's Lacrosse Association joined together to form one national governing body, the English Lacrosse Association (ELA) . The constitution of the ELA came into effect in 1997.
Men's Lacrosse
Men's North is governed by NEMLA (North of England Men's Lacrosse Association) was formed in 1897 when 10 clubs began playing regular fixtures. NEMLA now comprises a Premiership and four further Senior Divisions. There is also a
Men's South is governed by SEMLA (South of England Men's Lacrosse Association) and comprises a Premier Division, two West Divisions (including South Wales), and two East Divisions. For 2 seasons (2005/06, 2006/07), a Midlands division was run. However, the Midlands league consisted of University teams and with the introductions of a BUCS mens league, the Midlands league was removed.
The main focus of men's lacrosse popularity in Britain is the North-West of England, around the Manchester area. This is reflected by its selection to host the men's world championships in 1978 and 1994, and again for the forthcoming 2010 world championships. A second centre is in the South of England, especially around the London area.
Men's lacrosse is a common minority sport in Universities, which along with club-based youth programs, provide the majority of newcomers with their first experiences of the sport. In 2008, a mens BUCS league was introduced, providing greater support and recognition to mens university teams.
A small number of private schools have strong traditions, but most schools can only offer the sport with help from a local club and a touring coach.
Women's Lacrosse
Women's lacrosseWomen's lacrosse
Women's lacrosse, sometimes shortened to wlax or lax, is a sport played with twelve players on each team. Originally played by the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the first tribe to play it was the Hauser tribe, of the Great Plains. The modern women's game was introduced in 1890 at the St...
is divided into Women's North, Women's South East Premier, Women's South East 1st Division and Women's South West.
International
England, Scotland and Wales compete as separate teams in international competitions. In the men's 2006 World Lacrosse Championship2006 World Lacrosse Championship
2006 Warrior World Lacrosse Championship, held in London, Ontario from 13–22 July 2006, was won by Team Canada and featured a record twenty-one competing nations...
England finished in 5th place and in the Women's Lacrosse World Cup
Women's Lacrosse World Cup
The Women's Lacrosse World Cup, the recognized world championship of international women's lacrosse, is held every four years. From its inception in 1982, it was sponsored by the governing body for women's lacrosse, the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations, until that body...
in 2005, England finished 3rd.
In the men's 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
World Indoor Lacrosse Championship
The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship is an international box lacrosse tournament that is held every four years an is sponsored by the Federation of International Lacrosse . First held in 2003, the tournament was sponsored by the International Lacrosse Federation until 2008, when the ILF became...
England finished in 4th place.
In the 2008 European Lacrosse Championships
European Lacrosse Championships
The European Lacrosse Championships are held every four years, and have been held since 1995 to determine the best national lacrosse team of Europe...
England successfully defended their title in the Men's competition, and came second in the Women's competition
The 2010 World Lacrosse Championships were held in Manchester, England from 16–24 July at the Manchester University Sports Ground, The Armitage Centre. The England team finished the tournament in 5th place.