WHO ARE WE - WE ARE USA !!
HOW WE GOT HERE
Founded in 2006, US Indoor Lacrosse is a company for the sport of Indoor Lacrosse. We provide programs and services for lacrosse players, supporters, affiliates and the interested public. We value the members of the Lacrosse community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, US Indoor Lacrosse is the leader in developing the game of Indoor (Box) Lacrosse at the junior level. As a Founding Member Nation of International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) US Indoor Lacrosse represents the United States at the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship (WJLC) and all other IIJL events, including U17 and U15.
In 2006 and 2010, US Indoor Lacrosse (USIL) was chosen and named by US Lacrosse (the governing body of lacrosse) to form and manage the 2007 and 2011 Mens World Team. USA Mens Indoor World Team, the team competed in the Federation International Lacrosse (FIL) 2007 World Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia and 2011 World Games in Prague, Czech Republic. USA won the Bronze Medal beating England 17-10 and again the Bronze Medal in 2011 beating the Czech Republic Team 16-7.
USA athletes are highly regarded in the world of lacrosse. Early development of Lacrosse is essential. Training and using Box skills coupled with knowledge of Field Lacrosse (Field discipline) make these athletes well-rounded “hybrid athletes", with two skill sets that are characteristic of some of the world’s best players.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
In 2014, USIL shifted its focus to the Junior Athlete, USIL began its junior Indoor (Box) program in 2014, increasing its US Indoor Development Program to Juniors, administering training camps and exhibitions throughout North America.
In 2015, the Junior Indoor Lacrosse Tournament was played in Six Nations, ON and was named the 2015 U19 World Lacrosse Challenge. The tournament featured 12 teams, including regional squads from Canada and Iroquois. Junior national teams from Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States along with German club Deutschland Adler rounded out the field. Canada West won the gold medal game while Iroquois West captured the bronze medal, with the USA finishing fourth.
In 2016, International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) purchased the rights to the tournament and it was rebranded to its current name the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship. USIL joined the International Indoor Junior Lacrosse Association (IIJL) as the USA representative. Eight teams would compete in the second edition which was again held at Iroquois Lacrosse Arena. Czech Republic and United States returned along with newcomer Ireland. Iroquois West would defeat the Junior CLax team 9-8 in the gold medal game while Iroquois Grand River took bronze on their home floor.
In 2018, after a one-year hiatus the World Junior Lacrosse Championship was reshaped and took place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada at SaskTel Centre. For the first time in the championship's history each country would be represented by individual teams. Three teams took part (Canada, Iroquois, United States) in the four-day event with Canada winning its second gold medal and USA taking the Bronze.
In 2019, the event returned to Ontario, this time in Mississauga at Paramount Fine Foods Centre. The championship doubled in size from three to six countries. Australia would make its debut at the tournament, one of six national teams. The USA beat Israel in Overtime 13-12.
In 2021, we introduced the U15 and U17 teams to compete in the IIJL World Lacrosse Championships, the inaugural games were played in Massena, NY. The Teams were quickly changed to U16 and U18 to further align with the IIJL World Championships.
In 2022, The IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship returned, this time it was played in Winnipeg, Alberta. The U16 and U18 Teams played in Buffalo, NY.
In 2023, The USA Junior Indoor Team won the the first gold medal by any USA Indoor Team in international play, The USA Indoor team won its first gold medal defeating the Canadian Team in Saskatooon, SK. The U18 team followed up with a gold medal win over Canada in the IIJL World U18 Lacrosse Championship in Utica, NY. The U16 Team won the silver medal in the four day IIJL World U16 Lacrosse Championship in Utica, NY.
In 2024, The USA Junior team competed in the World games in Erie, PA, coming away with the Bronze medal. The U18 Team repeated their winning ways by taking the Gold medal in the IIJL World U18 Lacrosse Championship in East Aurora, NY. The U16 team also repeated with a Silver medal during a hard fought final game versus Canada in the IIJL World U16 Lacrosse Championship in East Aurora, NY.
THE DEVELOPMENT
In 2006, USIL launched a revolutionary new initiative called the US Indoor Junior Development Program. The goal of this full-time Indoor Junior Development Program is to prepare student-athletes that are 20 years of age and under for participation on College Teams, U.S. National Teams, Professional Teams and success with their future lacrosse careers. Its efforts focus not only on high-caliber play on the turf, but helping with the development of well-rounded individuals off the field.
USIL believes that the athletes most likely to succeed at the Collegiate and Professional level are more than just skilled lacrosse players: They are independent, focused, and equipped to compete – physically, emotionally, and intellectually – at an elite level. USIL supports a program and team culture of shared training and information, coordinated effort, and independent athlete decision-making. The USIL athlete learns to work together in order to achieve better results and how to make key decisions at key moments.