IMG Performance and the American Indoor Lacrosse Association establish IMG Indoor Nationals

Bradenton, Fla. (April 26, 2013) – Following the launch of the IMG Nationals, an amateur outdoor lacrosse national championship series, IMG Performance has aligned with the American Indoor Lacrosse Association (AILA) to host the inaugural IMG Indoor Nationals in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 10-12, 2014. The IMG Indoor Nationals will take place in conjunction with the start of the Philadelphia Wings season and the 2014 U.S. Lacrosse National Convention. Top U15, U17 and U19 teams from around the country will have the opportunity to compete for the first annual championship title.

“We’re excited to launch the IMG Indoor Nationals to provide a larger, more organized and professional-style platform for indoor lacrosse, especially in light of the upcoming World Indoor Championships in 2015,” remarked Bill Shatz, Director of Lacrosse, IMG Academy, and IMG Indoor Nationals Tournament Director. “North America is the birthplace of lacrosse, so through this platform, we hope to see greater youth development for U.S. indoor lacrosse heading into the World Championships.”

IMG Indoor Nationals is an invitation- and qualification-only event series. A series of qualifying invitational events managed and operated by AILA will begin in the summer of 2013. From each event, the top team in each division will qualify for the IMG Indoor Nationals Championship. AILA qualifier sites to-date include: Baltimore, Md.; Rochester, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Denver, Colo.; Fairfield, Conn.; Burlington, Vt.; Richmond, Va.; Ellenton, Fla.; and Long Island, N.Y.

“IMG Academy is committed to the sport of lacrosse, so we are thrilled to have AILA involved with the IMG Indoor Nationals event series,” said Johnny Mouradian, President and CEO, American Indoor Lacrosse Association and Head Coach & GM, Philadelphia Wings. “There is a tremendous amount of growth with indoor lacrosse, and as the leader in education and training of indoor lacrosse, building a stronger foundation for the indoor game is the next step to continuing that trend.”

Learn more about the IMG Nationals visit: www.imgnationals.com, or contact Bill Shatz, Tournament Director william.shatz@imgworld.com, 972-252-8476 or Jordan Satarawala, Tournament Manager jordan.satarawala@imgworld.com, 941-739-7497. For Qualifying Event information please contact Johnny Mouradian jmouradian@ailacrosse.net, 925 822 8087 or visit www.ailacrosse.net.