AN INVITATION TO JOIN IN THE 2009 WORLD CUP CELEBRATIONS FROM FIONA
Immediate Past President of the IFWLA

The Czech Republic comes to global lacrosse prominence in June with the Czechs bearing the same weight of expectations of Host countries who have gone before. Those of us who have watched the Czech's journey since their affiliation to the IFWLA in 1990 (formerly Czechoslovakia), and in some small ways shared it with them, remember the big and the small moments; it is their country's past and present struggles however, and their steely determination to develop and succeed, that has got them to the point they are at today. Come and share this continuing journey with them, and enjoy the ride!

With a field of established stars, and many newcomers, World Cup 2009 will be the biggest ever event in our history, and it seems only fitting that internationally this largest gathering of lacrosse enthusiasts at one event will have the opportunity to farewell the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA), and welcome the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL), the new joint International Governing Body for lacrosse throughout the world. And we want you to be there to join in these celebrations!

Over the past 27 years the World Cup has certainly become the most prestigious women's event on the international lacrosse calendar. Following is a brief history of the Cup ~ Countries highlighted in red represent the first time these countries competed in World Cup competition. Look at where we have come from in 28 years and be part of this history-making event.

World Cup History at a Glance »

The 8th World Cup will be held from the 17th June (Opening Ceremony) to the 27th June 2009 (Finals and Closing Ceremony), and overseeing this event sit two women who in so many ways made this event possible, and have been there from the beginning ~ Veronika Brychcinova and Barbara Klimoszkova. Their personal qualities, and their lacrosse skills on the field, appeal as powerfully as their ability to run an event, and their characters exude confidence on which we can impose our hopes for an excellent World Cup. Ondrej Mika, and a team of exuberant young and enthusiastic committee members, all eager to make this World Cup a huge success, ably supports their quest. Together they have years of experience of running the Prague Cup and the European Cup ~ they have always been proactive, with a willingness to put their hand up ~ as they did in 2006. Be there to witness the culmination of three years of planning!

At the playing venue there will be other associated events alongside the World Cup matches, including the Women's Prague Cup International Tournament (22 - 25 June), the Men's Prague Cup International Tournament (17 - 20 June), and a Fairy Play Day for youth players.

There will also be special celebrations as we farewell the IFWLA, including a Parade of Champions who will march into the stadium arena on the finals day ahead of the 2009 teams for the Closing Ceremony. Players, support staff and officials, from all seven World Cups from 1982 - 2005, will walk together behind their banner depicting each World Cup year, and will join as one, as we recognize our great past and present International World Cup participants in the public arena as a fitting final acknowledgment to their contribution to our great game. If you are one of these lacrosseurs you are invited to be there waving your country flag to share in what will be the last IFWLA hurrah and the greatest show on earth for women's lacrosse.