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Strategic Directions (2006-2009)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Fiona Clark
Establishing an on-line presence for the IFWLA was therefore a key initiative for the Federation, with the goal being to develop a comprehensive site dedicated to the International governing body for Women’s Lacrosse.
This website provides information on a range of topics across various areas including Competition, Rules & Umpiring, and Development. Emphasis has been given to the need for ease-of-use in terms of navigation and functionality to cater for the varied target user groups, to ensure all users can source information that is relevant to their requirements, quickly and easily.
The existence of this communication adds value to the IFWLA as a promotional and marketing tool, and provides an improved means of communication to existing and potential members.
IFWLA BACKGROUND
Women’s Lacrosse is an open, flowing, non-contact sport, with emphasis on the skills of catching, throwing and running. The International Federation of Women’s Lacrosse Associations, commonly referred to as the IFWLA, is the International Governing Body for this sport. Founded in 1972 by Maggie Boyd, the IFWLA is a volunteer organization, whose members share a common love for Women’s Lacrosse.
The founding member nations were Australia, England, Scotland, Wales and the USA. Present day members are the afore-mentioned as well as Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Denmark (associate) and Hong Kong (associate). The Federation Internationale d’Inter-crosse (FIIC) is an allied member.
The key aims of the IFWLA are to:
There is an annual conference of delegates from member nations with a Council meeting, and committee meetings, to deal with the business of the IFWLA. The Officers of the Federation meet also at an annual Officer’s meeting.
The inaugural meeting of the IFWLA took place on 7 April 1971 in London, with Maggie Boyd in the chair. Maggie subsequently became the IFWLA’s first President. The declared aim of the IFWLA was to “promote international understanding and goodwill through the development of the game at all levels.” This remains true today. What is different is the closing remark in 1971 that “meetings should be convened at least every 3 years” ~ such has been the growth of the IFWLA that since 1986 the Federation meets for a 3 day conference every year, and the Officers hold an Executive meeting between Conferences.
In 1979 the Great Britain Council expressed an interest in hosting a world tournament, which materialized 3 years later, and brought all lacrosse playing countries together for the first time. With players, officials, administrators and spectators at the one venue, this provided the platform for increased exchanges on how best to develop the game, whilst the success of this event ensured the future of World Cup competition every 4 years.
13 years later, in 1995, the IFWLA hosted the inaugural U19 World Championship, which has provided the opportunity for U19 aged players to compete at the highest standard of women’s lacrosse.
The IFWLA is part of the International Lacrosse Development Committee (ILDC), and has pledged to work with the ILF to promote and develop the game worldwide. The ILDC was established in 1993, however it wasn’t until 2000 that the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF) and the IFWLA approved a restructuring proposal to unify men’s and women’s international development efforts under the one Development committee.
The IFWLA is currently undergoing a review of its operations and infrastructure to ensure that the development of the game, from the grass roots to the elite levels, remains strong and sustainable.
HISTORY
The first women’s lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St. Leonards School in Scotland. Men’s and women’s lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s. At that time, men’s lacrosse began evolving dramatically, while women’s lacrosse continued to remain true to the game’s original rules. Today, men and women’s lacrosse remain two distinct forms of the same game and are played under different rules. Current women’s rules limit stick and body contact, and therefore, require little protective equipment.
THE GAME
Women’s lacrosse is played with a team of 12 players; one of the players is usually the goalkeeper. The duration of the game is 60 minutes, two halves of 30 minutes each. Each team is allowed one 90-second team time-out per half. Time-outs may be taken only after a goal has been scored.
True to the Native American game, the women’s game begins, is restarted after each goal and after half time with a DRAW. The ball is placed between two crosses at the center of the field, and on the whistle, the ball is flung into the air.
Historically the women’s International game has been played using only visible boundary guidelines, and the player closest to ball where the ball went-of-bounds was given possession of the ball to resume play. In July 2002, IFWLA member countries voted to change the International rule and play with hard boundaries. Consistent with other sports, if a player touches the boundary with any part of her body or crosse, she is out of bounds. The last team to touch or have possession of the ball before it goes out-of-bounds shall lose possession of the ball when play resumes. When a ball goes out-of-bounds following a shot or deflected shot, the player nearest the ball shall be awarded possession of it to resume play.
The IFWLA member countries also voted to adopt a RESTRAINING LINE RULE. Nine defense and eight attack players are allowed below/goal side of the Restraining Lines. Violation of the Restraining Line is a Minor Foul.
Substitution is unlimited and occurs during play ‘on the fly’, after goals or after a team time-out. Whenever the whistle sounds to stop play, all players must STAND, and may not move until play resumes at the next whistle. Players are not required to stand during the DRAW.
MAJOR FOULS jeopardize the safety of the players and threaten the ‘spirit of the game’. MINOR FOULS have little bearing on safety and result from misplays on the ball, illegal equipment, or procedural errors.
The penalty for a foul is called a FREE POSITION. When a player commits a Major Foul, the offending player is moves 4 meters directly behind the player awarded the free position. When a player commits a minor foul, the offending player moves 4 meters away from the player awarded the free position in the direction from which she approached before committing the foul. All other players within 4 meters of the ball carrier must also move 4 meters away. When the whistle blows the ball carrier may run, pass or shoot.
A player may attempt to gain possession of the ball by CHECKING an opponent’s crosse. Legal checks must be controlled and in a direction away from an opponent’s head and/or body. Aggressive contact to the body with the crosse and rough/dangerous checks are major fouls. When a defensive player is in good defensive position to make a legal check, the ball carrier may not CRADLE or pull her crosse with the ball in toward her body or face to protect the ball, and thereby, prevent the defense from making a legal, safe check.
Lone defenders are not allowed to OBSTRUCT THE FREE SPACE; barricade the area in front of goal, to prevent an attack ball carrier to shoot safely. A Defender has THREE SECONDS to move through and out of the 11 Meter Area unless she is directly marking an attack player.
The largest semi-circular field marking in front of each goal is called the 15-METER FAN and the smaller enclosed 11m Area is called the MARKING AREA. When the Defense commits a Major Foul against the attacking team while the attack is on a SCORING PLAY in side the 15m Fan, a YELLOW ADVANTAGE FLAG is raised to allow the attack to complete their scoring opportunity. If the scoring play ends without a shot, a free position penalty is awarded to the attack. All players must conduct themselves in a safe manner and avoid any type of behavior that amounts to misconduct. In addition to awarding a free position, the umpire may give warning cards for personal misconduct and delaying the game. In some instance the offending team must play short for lapsed periods of playing time.
AROUND THE WORLD
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The
IFWLA has long recognized that sport is a great common denominator, and
opens the way for closer sporting, cultural, social, and tourism
relationships. However as recently as seven years ago, there were limited
opportunities for the IFWLA to cater to the specific needs of fellow
lacrosseurs throughout the world.
