A record-high 14 nations from around the globe will compete at the 2016 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Under-19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championship in Coquitlam, including the seven-time defending champions from the United States and six-time runner-up and host nation, Team Canada.

The Province has contributed $60,000 through its major sport event hosting program toward this marquee, international field lacrosse tournament.

In addition to Canada and the United States, there are 12 other teams competing, including the Iroquois Nationals, Australia and England in the elite Blue Division. Six new teams – Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Israel, Mexico and Ireland – will also compete, along with returnees from Scotland, Germany and Korea, to round out the field.

British Columbia has experienced continued success in event hosting, following the largest, most successful sporting event in B.C. history – the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. This lacrosse tournament follows in the footsteps of B.C. hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and the World Rugby Sevens Series earlier this year.

The world field lacrosse championship runs July 7-16, 2016 at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“We’re thrilled to support this tournament that will bring the world to the Lower Mainland once again – this time for competition in Canada’s national summer sport. Lacrosse has deep roots in B.C. and we are excited to have a record-high number of teams competing here. On behalf of the Province, I wish all the teams the best of luck and an enjoyable stay in British Columbia.”

Linda Reimer, MLA Port Moody-Coquitlam –

“It’s always exciting to welcome a major international tournament to Coquitlam. These are some of the best U-19 lacrosse players in the world and Town Centre Park is a great facility to hold these world championships.”

Cliff Pascas, chair, 2016 FIL World Under-19 Men’s Lacrosse Championship –

“We will see the very best young men competing for the world title – they are the stars of tomorrow. Canada and the United States have a long rivalry in this tournament, and the Iroquois, Australia and England continue to be strong contenders. With a record-high 14 teams in total, including six new nations, the entertainment value for fans will be unbelievable.”

Quick Facts:

• Lacrosse is Canada’s national summer sport with two disciplines: field lacrosse, which is played on football-length fields with 10 players on the field per side at a time, and box lacrosse, which is commonly played indoors or in lacrosse boxes with six players, including a goalkeeper, per side at a time. This world championship is for field lacrosse.
• Eleven players from British Columbia are representing different teams, including Canada, China, Germany, the Iroquois Nationals and Hong Kong.
• This is the second time that Coquitlam has hosted the U-19 World Championships. Coquitlam also hosted in 2008 when Canada placed second to the United States.
• SportsCanadaTV is the official webcasting company of the tournament and will provide streaming packages for fans for each game or a tournament pass, via http://sportscanada.tv/2016worldlax/

Learn More:

To learn more about the 2016 FIL Under-19 Men’s World Lacrosse Championship, visit: http://www.2016worldlax.com

Tickets for the event are available at: http://www.2016worldlax.com/tickets

To learn more about the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/community-sport-and-cultural-development