ASHKELON, ISRAEL — The Israel Lacrosse Association has announced the selection committee for the Israel Women’s National Team program, which will be entering teams into the 2021 World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship in Towson, Maryland, the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel, and The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The committee includes:
–Kara Carlin, who coached Team Israel in exhibition action in 2019 against Boston University, Bryant University, and Siena College
–Kimberly Dubansky, a veteran player of Team Israel since 2012, who served as an assistant coach for Israel’s silver-medal run at the 2019 European Championships in Netanya
–Ian Kadish, who served as manager at the 2019 European Championships and currently serves as ILA Director of External Relations
–Sarah Meisenberg, a veteran player of Team Israel since 2012, who currently serves as ILA Director of Women’s Lacrosse and Acting Women’s Player/Coach
–Lauren Paul Norris, who served as head coach for Team Israel at both the 2013 and 2017 World Cups, and has recently been appointed ILA Chair of Women’s National Teams
All members of the committee, which have been conducting video interviews with members of Israel’s player pool, are expected to hold active roles with the program through the 2021-2022 cycle.
“Our women’s program has had tremendous momentum, and the pandemic hasn’t stopped that,” said Israel Lacrosse COO David Lasday. “We hope to continue building upon our national team practices in Ashkelon and remain optimistic that we will be able to have a normal process this Fall. We’re prepared for all scenarios ahead to be ready to compete against the world’s best in Baltimore.”
As of Sunday, May 3rd, Meisenberg has been leading the Israel women’s national team in weekly practices at the Israel Lacrosse National Training Center in Ashkelon. The practices, which are limited to 15 players, are currently non-contact and with two meters of distance between players at all times. Among other precautions, athletes are expected to travel to the facility in private vehicles, temperature is taken prior to each practice, and use of the facility showers are not permitted.
With under 3,000 active cases and 278 deaths, Israel’s unified, national response to the coronavirus crisis has been largely attributed to the nation’s tight borders, wartime-readiness and strong technology. The State of Israel is known for going to great lengths to protect our citizens, at home and abroad, and as restrictions on normal daily life continue to be evaluated and safely relaxed, the ILA hopes to expand national team training rosters throughout the summer and possibly welcome guests from abroad.
Israel took part in a meeting Monday between eight low-infection countries on reopening borders and jumpstarting tourism as the virus recedes. The other countries in the proposed “Green Zone” are Austria, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, New Zealand and Singapore. The ILA is in active discussions with the Czech Lacrosse Union in regards to potential joint-training opportunities in August.
For more information regarding Israel’s women’s program, please contact Sarah Meisenberg at sarah@israellacrosse.org.