WALA History 3 The official World Series of matches to be held on a 4-year rotational basis commenced in Melbourne in 1974. WA provided 7 players to the National team. In subsequent championships WA provided 2 players in Manchester 1978, 5 players in Baltimore 1982, 7 in Toronto 1986, 11 in Perth 1990 and 8 in Manchester 1994. Players from Western Australia received international recognition in 1982 when Jeff Kennedy was named Most Valuable Player of the Series and Peter Cann was named in the World Team. At Toronto in 1986 Peter Cann received the Most Valuable Player award and he and Jeff Kennedy were selected in the World Team. In 1990 Murray Keen became the World Team goalkeeper, in 1992 David Whiteman was named attack in the World Under 19 Team and in 1994 Stephen Mounsey was Western Australia's World Team defender. Western Australia has also provided referees who have toured with Australian teams and officiated at international level. Western Australia has hosted many Australian Lacrosse Championships, at all levels over the years, as well it has hosted many teams from other countries including USA, Canada, Japan and England which have toured and played in Western Australia. A highlight of lacrosse history in WA was the hosting of the World Series in Perth in 1990. Don Rudderham headed the organising team which planned and conducted a tournament which surpassed all previous events. Financial gains from the conduct of the Lacrosse World Series in 1990 was the catalyst for the establishment of the Western Australian Lacrosse Foundation in 1991 for the further promotion and development of the game in Western Australia. In 2002 once again WA hosted the World Series, now known as the Lacrosse World Championships, the game had expanded from five nation in 1990 (Australia, Canada , England, Iroquois and USA) to sixteen teams compeating in three divisions in 2002 (Australia, Canada , Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iroquois, Japan, Korea , New Zealand, Scotland, Sweden , USA and Wales) Since World War 2 the numerical club and player strengths have been static. In 1995 competition comprised of 7 clubs participating in two senior and 3 junior divisions, the WA division of the Australian Lacrosse Referees Association and the Kuljak Club which was established in 1963 for ex-lacrosse players and supporters. Sofcrosse and modcrosse, modified versions of lacrosse developed by the Australian Lacrosse Council and suitable for younger children and adolescents, were adopted in 1982. Sofcrosse was included in the Aussie Sports Programme in 1984-85 and proved to be immensely popular. It was acclaimed in 1987 as the fastest growing sport in the programme and is included in school sports curriculum. The Modcrosse programme has expanded from 3 clubs and 59 players in 1987 to 8 clubs and 360 WALA registered players in 1995. This does not include many thousands more players who compete in school and independent competitions. The dedication and efficiency of earlier administrators, CEM Hickey, IJ Taylor, RW Elliot, JL Garden, AR Page, L Turnbull, W A Whiteman, HV Horner, all of whom provided a life-time service to lacrosse, established a standard which is being maintained by leaders at club, State and national level. |
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