IIJL Member Nations Expand on Partnership to Multilateral Long-Term Officials Development Model

The  three (3) International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) Founding Member  Nations; Canada, Haudenosaunee, and United States announce an expanded  partnership between the Canadian Lacrosse League, Haudenosaunee  Dehontsigwaehs, and US Indoor Lacrosse to include a multilateral Long-Term Officials Development (LTOD) Model. 

The extended  partnership is focused on a mirrored development path for Officials on  both sides of the Canada-United States border and includes Haudenosaunee  and other First Nations Officials. The multilateral LTOD Model provides  consistent recruiting, training, and evaluating in each county for  Officials to gain national experience and progress towards international  assignments. 

"This is a massive opportunity for American box  lacrosse Officials." said Graham D'Avlia, President US Indoor Lacrosse.  "Over the last decade box lacrosse has seen tremendous growth at the  youth level in the US. The rapid expansion has created a development-gap  for Officials between the junior and professional leagues that needs to  be filled for the US to compete with our Canadian counterparts."  D'Alvia added. 

"The development of Haudenosaunee and First Nations Officials, outside of native run leagues and communities, is often overlooked." Gewas Schindler, President, Haudenosaunee  Dehontsigwaehs. "This partnership empowers our Officials to pursue  opportunities outside of their local communities and reach the  international stage with the ultimate goal of more Haudenosaunee and First Nations representation in the National Lacrosse League (NLL)." Schindler added. 

In  addition to mirrored development paths the three organizations will  share policy and best practices with an added focus on abuse of  Officials. 

"We are committed to developing the best officials in Canada and providing them with a professional and safe working environment." said  Chris Fox, President Canadian Lacrosse League. "This is the first  multi-nation development partnership in the history of the sport at any  level." Fox added.

The  Long-Term Officials Development (LTOD) Model will include domestic  league play with national championships in both Canada and the United  States and feature current and future IIJL events including the  Commonwealth Cup, North American Cup Series, World U17 Lacrosse Championship, and World Junior Lacrosse Championship. 

ABOUT US INDOOR LACROSSE
Founded  in 2006, US Indoor Lacrosse (USIL) is an organization that promotes the  culture of box lacrosse in the United States by creating opportunities  for lacrosse players, coaches, officials, volunteers and to participate  and advance through Clubs, Leagues, National and International Events.  US Indoor Lacrosse is responsible for selecting and training Team USA  competing at the World Junior Lacrosse Championship and all other  International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) events. For more information  visit www.usindoorlacrosse.com.