EL AVIV, ISRAEL — EL AL Israel Airlines and the Israel Lacrosse Association, the national governing body of lacrosse in Israel, have announced a partnership which will help expand efforts to introduce sustainable lacrosse programs in communities across Israel.
EL AL becomes the official airline of Israel Lacrosse and will receive logo placement on several team uniforms, including the Israel men’s national team which will be making their world championship debut this July. “The generosity and social responsibility exhibited by EL AL through this new partnership is remarkable,” said Scott Neiss, Executive Director of Israel Lacrosse. “Their involvement will help us tremendously in our mission to utilize lacrosse as a vehicle to empower and engage children throughout the country.”
The Israel Lacrosse annual equipment drive involves young athletes from across the United States who directly support the development of lacrosse in Israel by collecting lightly-used lacrosse equipment. This is done in conjunction with community service initiatives, Israel national team exhibition games and events as well as B’nai Mitzvah projects. The donated gear will directly impact Israeli youth lacrosse players who could otherwise not participate in the shared passion of lacrosse.
“Sports are proven to instill a long-lasting positive impact on youth,” said Danny Saadon, Vice President of EL AL Israel Airlines, North and Central America. “EL AL is proud to support our national lacrosse program and excited to help ‘deliver the assist’ to the athletes and volunteers who are furthering the game in the peripheral communities of Israel.”
This month, as part of a unique 10-day Taglit-Birthright trip, 40 American college lacrosse players will be flying EL AL to visit Israel and participate in the “Amazing Israel Lacrosse program.” In addition to touring the country, participants will teach the sport, train young Israeli athletes and compete in exhibition games against the Israel men’s and women’s national teams. Each athlete will also take part in the equipment drive and will personally deliver the donated equipment.