Flapan, who competed for Israel in both the 2014 World Field Championships in Denver and the 2015 World Indoor Championships in Syracuse, suffered a serious knee injury earlier this year while training for the Euros.
Despite the injury, Flapan continued to serve within Israel Lacrosse as Operations Manager, working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare housing and competition facilities for the Israel Premier Lacrosse League (IPLL) and Women’s World Cup tryouts over the organization’s busiest summer to date.
Through his aggressive rehabilitation schedule, Flapan was alongside his teammates through the European Championships in Budapest, toting water bottles, warming up the teams goaltenders, and tackling intangible needs. Although he traded in his game jersey for a polo shirt, Flapan was a member of the blue-and-white through-and-through, representing the hustle, heart and soul of the Israel Lacrosse program.
Flapan, who accepted the Award at a ceremony prior to the Gold Medal game, is expected to be back on the turf at the 2017 European Box Lacrosse Championships in Finland.