ArchLevel lacrosse started working with Luxembourg Lacrosse in the build up to their first Lacrosse World Championships earlier this year. Since then, we have watched this organisation flourish into something spectacular, having developed players who have never played the game before to such a standard they could hold their own on the international stage. Recently, Luxembourg have been collaborating with FIL and hosted a FREE camp open to all players, not just their own, staffed with world class coaches. Here is how they got on…
Luxembourg Lacrosse and the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) hosted a 3 day camp for over 75 players from 19th to 21st October. Luxembourg Lacrosse were only accepted by FIL as associate member in 2017, not even a year after a handful of guys got together at founder Pit Bingen’s house to formally establish Luxembourg Lacrosse. Since then, Lacrosse has gained huge popularity in Luxembourg, more so after the men’s national team debuted at the World Championships in Netanya, Israel in July 2018.
The camp was run with strong support from both FIL, who provided five coaches with a wealth of experience, and sponsor ArchLevel Lacrosse, who donated prizes for the MVPs and most improved as well as supplying pinnies for the players. Captain Lax also supported the event and helped provide equipment for the camp.
The FIL coaches included highly experienced and former Team USA head coach Jack Emmer who won the World Championship in 2002 as well as highly experienced coaches Jack Kaley, Rick Mercurio, Jane Pirie and Joanne Lignelli. The coaches were led by Mercurio, Development Chair with the FIL, who was hugely impressed by what Luxembourg Lacrosse has achieved:
“We were delighted to see large numbers of players and how they enjoyed the camp. Having seen the local level of commitment and organization, we are hopeful for the future of the game in Luxembourg”.
Luxembourg Lacrosse Development Officer, Henning Schmidt was beaming with positivity when he discussed the success of the camp. He went on to say:
“The main thing is to take this forward into the league now, new players, new knowledge, new connections to teachers, the whole package”.
The first campaign to the Lacrosse World Cup did not yield a win for the National Team however, Luxembourg Lacrosse is growing exponentially not just in numbers, but in ability due to the tireless commitment from the players and coaches. Schmidt is focused on the long game and strongly believes in growing the Luxembourg roots:
“Winning is nice, but improvement is essential. The wins will come, but only if we gain them from a broad base. This camp showed our players how much there is to learn about this great game and how much fun improvement is. I am confident we can reap the benefits of this in practice and, eventually, in the form a win or two.”
The next Luxembourg match is in the Belgian Lacrosse on 18th Nov against Opueye Foxes, who clawed back a win to deny the Blacksmiths’ a victory on their debut game. The women’s team of Luxembourg, the Black Lynx’s, will send their players to a game on 11th Nov in Brussels, Schmidt commented:
“The girls are an integral and essential part of our club and we work hard towards establishing a competitive side. This game will show our players what we are or are not ready for and how we can improve – very exciting opportunity.”
But it’s not only the Belgian league Luxembourg Lacrosse wants to be ready for. The next men’s European Championship is 21 months away in Wroclaw, Poland. President Bingen commented:
“Playing for Luxembourg is a huge privilege and competing in Israel showed us what we need to do. Our formal campaign will begin next spring, after a long and busy 2018 full of growth and successes”.
The team is presently inviting all interested players and coaches to register their interest with the Federation via email to management@lacrosse.lu or via their webpage at www.lacrosse.lu. For latest updates on games, events and chances to train, follow https://www.facebook.com/LuxembourgLacrosse/
ArchLevel Lacrosse provide the playing apparel for the Luxembourg National Lacrosse, Blacksmiths and Black Lynx teams. To order your set of ArchLevel Lacrosse uniforms, email us at orders@ArchLevelLacrosse.com or order through the site.