IL Indoor

Behind the Scenes, Grassroots, International, The Life

German box lacrosse league joins the burgeoning European movement

Just a couple of days ago we told you about the brand spanking new Finnish Box Lacrosse League. Now, there’s more news out of Europe. Canadian ex-pat Jamie Plunkett is involved in the genesis of another league, this time in his adopted home country of Germany, where he’s been instrumental in the development of the  Deutschland Adler Lacrosse Club. The Adler web site has announced the creation of the Deutsche Indoor Lacrosse Liga. The new league will run during the summer months of July and August, with a couple of league game days and then a championship tournament. The Adler release mentions four teams that have already expressed interest in playing and the league welcomes more. And don’t panic if you get to the site and see German; just scroll halfway down the page for the English version of the announcement.

Behind the Scenes, Grassroots, International

Et tu, Turku? Box lacrosse is off and running in Finland

The Turku Titans, looking very cool in their circa 1907 Ottawa Senators-looking jerseys, are one of four teams in the Finnish Box Lacrosse League. (Photo: Robin Stitzing)

Box lacrosse has been making inroads and winning fans in outposts around the world, as evidenced by the growth of interest in Europe. The Czech Republic and Germany are noted hot spots, thanks largely to the Ales Hrebesky tournament and the Deutschland Adler Lacrosse Club, respectively. One of the latest signs of the games increasing popularity is the creation of the Finnish Box Lacrosse League. It’s no surprise that Jamie Plunkett and Brian Tyacke were there even before the league got going. In fact, as Samuli Harala writes in a report on the Adler web site, without the pair of passionate boxla promoters the league wouldn’t exist.

But now it does, with four teams taking part last Saturday, May 4 in Turku in the first of three one-day tournaments that will comprise the regular season. The finale will be held in June, just before the field lacrosse season kicks off. Harala reports that local hockey and floorball (I don’t know either–presumably it’s a Euro thing) players are keen to give the game a go, suggesting a bright future for box lacrosse in Finland.

IL Indoor, International

Glasgow Clydesiders take valuable lessons from Ales Hrebesky Tournament; mourn passing of former teammate Hetherington

The Glasgow Clydesiders have their sights set on the 2015 World Indoor Championships. (Photo: Glasgow Clydesiders)

ILIndoor was happy to hear from Myles Bonnar of the Glasgow Clydesiders, who filed this report on the progress of the box lacrosse team based in Scotland. Follow the club on Twitter @ClydesidersLax.

The Glasgow Clydesiders Box Lacrosse Club (GCBLC) enjoyed a very successful trip to Radotin, Prague, for the annual Ales Hrebesky Memorial Tournament. The team, managed by Rob Kachor (GM) and Mark Vickars (assistant Manager), finished the competition with 3 wins and 2 losses (one of which was to the best team at the tournament and 2013 Cup winners, LC Custodes). The tournament was an incredible experience and the development of all those who played in it was clear to see. READ MORE »

Behind the Scenes, IL Indoor, International

Aleš Hrebeský Memorial Day 1 wrap up

[Editor's note: Sean Gibson plays for the Dublin Riggers/Tropics and loves cool lacrosse jerseys. This is his eighth Aleš Hrebeský Memorial and third blogging for IL Indoor. He'll have daily reports through the finals.]

Group A

With all three games in the books here is how it broke down:

• Ladner Pioneers 15-0 over the Polish Eagles
• Dublin Tropics 4-3 over the Polish Eagles
• Ladner Pioneers 6-3 over the Dublin Tropics (Match of the Day)

This means both the Pioneers (A1) and Riggers (A2) will advance into the next round. Definitely think you should check out the Pioneers vs Tropics to see what this tournament is all about. The Pioneers and the Tropics are also sporting two of the best sets of uniforms in the tournament. READ MORE »

IL Indoor, International

Groups F and G wrap up Aleš Hrebeský Memorial previews

[Editor's note: Sean Gibson has twice represented Ireland at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and this is his eighth Aleš Hrebeský Memorial. His Dublin Riggers are in Group A. He will be blogging regularly from the tournament this week for IL Indoor.]

Group F
This group should be pretty straightforward with only two teams, since the LC Pilsen Old Dogs were unable to field a team. This leaves us with the 2010 Ales Hrebesky Memorial winner Green Gaels from Canada and the Bratislava Bats. Both teams will advance to the top 16, but not before playing a two game series to determine the group winner. READ MORE »

International

Ales Hrebesky Memorial: Group D and E previews

[Editor's note: Sean Gibson has twice represented Ireland at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and this is his eight Aleš Hrebeský Memorial. His Dublin Riggers are in Group A. He will be blogging regularly from the tournament for IL Indoor.]

Group D could prove to be a very interesting one indeed. Nova Scotia Privateers are back for their fifth AHM and will be looking to improve on last year’s third place performance. Germany’s Deutschland Adler LC who are the reigning ELL Champions will be out to prove their worth this year and the LCC Wolves will make for a tough opponent. The Wolves are the youth side of the LCC Radotin and will have some good skill. READ MORE »

Behind the Scenes, International

Sean Gibson looks at Groups B and C at Aleš Hrebeský Memorial

[Editor's note: Sean Gibson has twice represented Ireland at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and this is his eight Aleš Hrebeský Memorial. His Dublin Riggers are in Group A. He will be blogging regularly from the tournament for IL Indoor. His introduction to Group A appeared Tuesday.]

Group B

This group features the 2006 Ales Hrebesky Memorial winners, LC Jizni Mesto, the lone English representative in the London Knights, and German newcomers Bundeswehr LC.

LC Jizni Mesto has struggled to keep pace with their NBLL counterparts LCC Radotin in recent years, but they are a capable side and have a potent offensive setup. They produce some of the country’s best talent and are consistently in the NBLL top four. READ MORE »

Behind the Scenes, International

Sean Gibson returns with Aleš Hrebeský Memorial Coverage

[Editor's note: Sean Gibson has twice represented Ireland at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships and this is his eight Aleš Hrebeský Memorial. His Dublin Riggers are in Group A. He will be blogging regularly from the tournament for IL Indoor.]

Wow, has it been a year already? I guess it has and boy am I getting excited and hope you are too! The 2013 Aleš Hrebeský Memorial (AHM) is around the corner and so much has happened since last year. Over the course of the week I will be introducing each of the groups and previewing the teams in those groups then providing you with highlights throughout the event. READ MORE »

International

Deutschland Adler Lacrosse Club is coming to North America and wants to play you

The Deutschland Adler Lacrosse Club is organizing a trip to the USA and Canada in preparation for the next World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. We are looking for more competitive teams to play against. Teams must be able to secure a proper indoor facility and/or a club for us to play against. Discussions with several teams are underway, but we are looking to secure a couple more. If you are interested in hosting, please contact us at info@deutschlandadler.com.

Our time frame is very limited due to the scheduled school breaks in Germany. We are looking at beginning our 10-14 day journey at the end of February 2014. READ MORE »

Behind the Scenes, CLA, IL Indoor, International, Langley Thunder, Road to the Mann Cup, WLA

Lewis Ratcliff responds to CCES announcement

Lewis Ratcliff says he didn't knowingly put any banned substance in his body. (Photo: Dan Brodie)

Lewis Ratcliff has responded to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport announcement of his two-year sanction for failing a drug test taken at the Mann Cup last summer in an exclusive interview with IL Indoor. Following is the text of a statement that Ratcliff provided.

“On Wednesday the CCES released my name in association with banned substance testing that it conducted in Canada in 2012.

I accept full responsibility for the results of the test and I sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may have caused.

As a professional athlete I make every effort to avoid prescription and over-the-counter medications that could put me at risk. However, last fall I had a shoulder injury which will result in surgery following the current NLL season. Due to this injury, last fall I followed my doctor’s orders regarding prescriptions for the pain medicine in order to get me through the playoffs and Mann Cup. READ MORE »