COQUITLAM - Another new team will make its world juniors field lacrosse debut in just over 250 days, as Israel has committed to compete in the 2016 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Men’s Under-19 World Lacrosse Championship in Coquitlam next July.
Israel is the eighth team to commit to the tournament that also includes Canada, the U.S., Australia, England, Germany and fellow newcomer Ireland in the field of teams committed to date.
The blue-and-white have participated in every FIL world competition since 2013 - the men's national team finished seventh at the 2014 FIL Men's World Field Lacrosse Championship in Denver and placed fourth at the 2015 FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship this past September in Syracuse. But 2016 is Israel's debut in the quadrennial U-19 World Championships.
"We’ve always had a tremendous emphasis on our youth programs," said Seth Mahler, who was recently named head coach for Team Israel's U-19 entry. "These championships represent a remarkable opportunity to showcase, on the world stage, what we’ve accomplished since we launched Israel Lacrosse just four years ago."
Mahler, a 2010 graduate of Whittier College and its lacrosse program in California, relocated to Ashkelon in 2013 to spearhead the development of youth lacrosse in the coastal city. Under his leadership, Ashkelon LC is the largest lacrosse program in the Middle East, with a focus on players ages 8-18.
Israel's first tournament at the U-19 field level is a testament to the growth of Israel lacrosse on the FIL stage and a sign of the international growth at the FIL level. Israel has over 700 youth players in country - almost entirely at the youth level - with prominent programs in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Netanya, Ramla and Tel Aviv.
"We want to show off our development and prove that our young men can compete with anyone,” added Mahler.
Tryouts for the U-19 team will take place Jan. 2-4, 2016, at New Municipal Stadium in Ashkelon.
Israel’s roster will be composed of both Israeli players, as well as members of the Jewish diaspora, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL).
The tryout will be limited to 120 players; invitations to Israel-based players will be made through the fall season, while players from abroad are encouraged to participate in the Israel Lacrosse Winter Service Trip (Dec. 25-Jan. 5) which culminates with the tryout in Ashkelon.
Israel Lacrosse will announce the team’s 46-man national team roster in mid-January.
More team commitments will be announced in the coming weeks.
Official Websites: www.lacrosse.co.il / www.israellacrosse.com
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