Lacrosse Continues to Grow in New Zealand

Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States, and it continues to spread to New Zealand.

This weekend, Wellington Lacrosse will send both a men’s and a women’s team to compete at the New Zealand Lacrosse National Tournament in Auckland.

This year marks one of the strongest for the teams, which feature an internationally diverse group of 12 girls and 17 boys.

Lacrosse, nicknamed “the fastest sport on two feet,” has already spread to local high schools. Following in the footsteps of Auckland, which has run a successful high school league for years, Wellington featured five girls’ teams this past year.

Men’s team coach Greg Haynie, who coached in the girls’ high school league, hopes to see men’s lacrosse available in schools within the next two years.

This June will also mark the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships in Denver, USA, which will host teams from 38 nations and all 7 continents. The New Zealand National Team will be attending, and will play in a division with Argentina, Russia, and Wales.

Both tournaments will increase the sport’s exposure in New Zealand and across the world. With its fast pace, intense action, and nuanced strategy, the sport is already drawing young men and women away from more popular sports like Baseball and Basketball.

If you are interested in playing or learning more about the sport, please email the team at lacrossewellington@gmail.com or join the Wellington Lacrosse Facebook page.

ENDS

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