JERUSALEM, ISRAEL -- Tel Aviv Lacrosse Club will host Jerusalem Lacrosse Club in the second annual Israel Lacrosse Championship Game at Hayarkon Sportek on July 11th at 6:00 PM. The two teams will compete for the right to raise the Israel Lacrosse Cup, which will be recognized as Israel's national championship trophy for years to come.
The match, which is being organized and promoted by Israel Lacrosse, is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets (including food and beverages) for sale for 80 NIS, or 100 NIS day of game. In addition to complimentary admission to the game, there will be on-field contests, halftime entertainment, and fan giveaways throughout the evening.
Mickey-Miles Felton, the head men's lacrosse coach at University of Arizona, will serve as coach for Tel Aviv, while Shelley Sheiner, the head men's lacrosse coach at Kean University in New Jersey, is currently leading Jerusalem.
The two teams will also meet in an exhibition match in Jerusalem on July 5th at Kraft Stadium, with gametime scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Israel's men's national lacrosse team, comprised of players from Jerusalem LC, Tel Aviv LC, and Jewish players from abroad, recently completed their debut campaign in international competition with a perfect 4-0 record in pool play, finishing 8th overall. Including exhibition matches, Israel was 7-5, with statement wins over No. 9 Ireland and No. 11 Wales. Israel also fielded men's and women's festival teams, which were both victorious in the EC12 Festival, a tournament featuring club teams from across the world.
Israel Lacrosse, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of the sport in Israel, was officially recognized by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) in June of 2011. Israel is now eligible to participate in FIL international lacrosse competitions, including the 2014 Men's World Championship which will be held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver, Colorado. The FIL also operates a Women?s World Cup, Men's and Women's U-19, and Men's Indoor championship events.
The organization is also conducting several youth clinics this summer across the country. The program kicked off in June in Ashkelon, and is making stops in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Bat Yam, Karmiel, and other locations.
If you are an athlete who is interested in playing lacrosse in Israel, please e-mail Scott Neiss at scott@lacrosse.co.il.