By TRT Staff with notes from the CLL
As the final age-category under International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL), the 2021 IIJL World U15 Lacrosse Championship (WU15LC) will proceed as planned despite the disruption of the global COVID-19 pandemic in November 2021.
The tournament will be hosted by the Haudenosaunee.
The U17 and U15 world championships were originally scheduled to roll-out in consecutive years, 2020 and 2021 respectively.
“2021 will be a busy year” commented Gewas Schindler, Haudenosaunee and Tournament Chair for both the 2021 WU15LC and 2021 WU17LC. “We are excited to host each of these championships, providing players opportunities to develop and compete on the world stage.”
The 2021 IIJL World U15 Lacrosse Championship will be the first ever international best-on-best box lacrosse world championship in the age category.
“We are very excited to provide this monumental opportunity for American box lacrosse players,” said Graham D’Alvia, United States. “The IIJL World U15 Lacrosse Championship, in addition to U17 and World Juniors, will accelerate the development of American players.”
The introduction of the fifteen and under age category is the final phase of long-term international box lacrosse growth for International Indoor Junior Lacrosse.
“Moving forward, the first summer of Midget will be very exciting for Canadian players.” said Chris Fox, Canada. “After competing in their first year players will then be eligible for the CLL Draft and potentially be selected to represent Canada at the IIJL World U15 Lacrosse Championship.”
The IIJL and Member Nations will continue to work with Participating Nations to finalize the line-up and schedule for the 2021 WU15LC while maintaining communication throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with and developments regarding the 2021 event calendar.
It was announced earlier last year that a monumental partnership for the IIJL opened with the Anishinaabe as the ninth (9th) and final Nation competing at the 2021 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship this August in Winnipeg, Canada, Treaty 1 Territory.
This year, Jeff Shattler, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, has been named as the head coach for Anishinabe Baagaadowewin.
The team represents those from the Three Fires Confederacy – Ojibwe, Odawa and Bodewadmi (Potowatomi).
“Competing at the 2021 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship is a historic opportunity for the Anishinaabe people of the Three Fires Confederacy and for our athletes to unite together for the first time in generations to compete on the international stage,” said Isaiah Kicknosway Founder of Anishinabe Baagaadowewin (Anishinaabe Lacrosse).
“Even the most knowledgeable enthusiasts overlook the significance of the game in Anishinaabe history and culture, having played lacrosse for many hundreds of years using different sticks than what are used today.” explained Kicknosway.