New Years message from ELF President Peter Mundy

19.01.2007

TO ALL LACROSSE PLAYERS,

Dear Friends,

It is the time of year for making new resolutions, however, before I do so it is appropriate to consider the words of Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, "I would not sat the future is necessarily less predictable than the past. I think the past was not predictable when it started." Therefore I will avoid predictions and merely put forward a number of tasks which, with luck and dedication, we can bring to fruition during the coming year, building upon our successes during 2006 which include:-

  • The participation of 12 European Nations in the recent World Games in London, Ontario.
  • The formation of the Friends of the European Lacrosse Federation.
  • The first European Lacrosse Convention which too place in Aachen. It was a great success and will be repeated again this year.
  • The advent of a new member. Switzerland joined us at the AGM, which was held following the Aachen Convention.
  • And last but not least, the commencement of Field Lacrosse in France, with start-ups in both Lille and Paris.

Our colleagues in Finland have already commenced organising the next European Games to take place in Lahti; the date for your diary is 6th to 16th August 2008. Hotel reservations have been made already for the event which will include teams from 19 European countries, making the tournament as large as the recent World Games.

Another European first is proposed by Ken Galluchio of Hamburg Lacrosse Club; he suggests a Summer Lacrosse Camp, hopefully staffed by retired professional coaches who spent their working life in a number of well known U.S. Colleges. These gentlemen are being recruited courtesy of the ILF. Further details of this venture will be published shortly.

Having had some experience of running a similar camp in England over a number of years, I hope that coaching will be offered in two formats, one for the less experienced players and one for the more experienced, such a combination will help to ensure the long term viability of the camp, for I am very keen to see that this project becomes an annual event.

I also hope that 2007 will be the year during which all of our Clubs and teams make a concerted effort to start Junior Lacrosse in their respective areas. Initially it would be helpful if mixed teams of boys and girls could be formed, so that both Men's and Women's Lacrosse will benefit in the long term.

As a follow up to our initial success in starting Lacrosse in so many areas of Europe, particularly in the Universities, where by the very nature of things, students come and go over a relatively short period of time, I suggest that we all look to our succession where future leadership is concerned. When a good leader moves on there is a void to be filled. Therefore, please start planning well in advance to find your next leader to take over the driving seat in your Club or University well before the vehicle leaves the road. Please do not leave the task to good luck, for luck in sport is where hard work meets opportunity.

I thank all those numerous officials and players who have given so much of their time in developing and running our great game in Europe and wish one and all a very happy, healthy and productive New Year.

Yours sincerely,

P.J. Mundy
President