Women’s IPLL to begin play in Summer 2017

ASHKELON, ISRAEL — The Women’s Israel Premier Lacrosse League (WIPLL) will officially kick of it’s inaugural season in summer of 2017, with four teams competing in major cities across the Jewish State.

The league will be comprised of primarily collegiate players with NCAA eligibility remaining, with clubs in Ashkelon, Be’er Sheva, Kiryat Gat and Netanya. Teams will compete in a condensed five-game schedule from June 22-July 5, specifically designed to provide an opportunity to collegiate athletes and recent graduates who are interested in training and competing with an elite group.

“Lacrosse is a game of constant motion. The arrival of the first women’s summer lacrosse league in Israel is especially fitting and exciting because it represents not only the continued rapid expansion of lacrosse across the globe, but the growth of women’s sports culture throughout Israel,” said Sarah Meisenberg, co-chair of the WIPLL Organizing Committee. “We hope that players from around the world will come join our Israel Lacrosse family for the women’s league and share in this historic experience.”

Participation in the WIPLL goes beyond the playing field; athletes also have the opportunity to directly contribute to the development of lacrosse in Israel by coaching youth teams in their cities and utilizing lacrosse to serve their community. Additionally, WIPLL players are able to expand their impact through participation in an Israel Lacrosse internship by making a 4-12 week commitment (in the months of June-August) to immerse themselves into an Israeli city and offer their knowledge and talent to young athletes.

The launch of the league comes amidst an exciting summer for the sport in Israel; the Women’s National Team will be competing in the World Cup in July, while the sport debuts in the Maccabiah Games with a U-19 Girls competition, and a U-15 Girls Festival Team will compete in England. The blue-and-white are also considering the formation of a Women’s Festival Team to compete in Poland later this summer.

For more information or to apply to join the WIPLL, please contact Sarah Meisenberg at sarah@lacrosse.co.il. Players of all nationalities and religious backgrounds are encouraged to participate.