Japanese Lacrosse

Lacrosse, in Japan, is a relatively new sport. Started in April 1986, lacrosse began to take off quickly. In 1987, coach Don Zimmerman of Johns Hopkins University, held the first ever lacrosse camp in Japan. As the teams have been forming, and have been practicing over the years, they have become highly competitive. Just recently, in 2002, the Keio College in Japan traveled to the U.S. for a lacrosse tour of the states. The played many exibition games against American Colleges and club teams.

The newest count estimates that around 13,000 Japanese are currently playing on a highschool or college club team. Also, 98% of these players are playing field lacrosse. The backbone behind this sport is the JLA or Japanese Lacrosse Association. The JLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and support of lacrosse in the land of the rising sun.

It has been said that nearly 12,000 spectators come to watch the JLA championship games. Japan's National Team also competed in the Lacrosse World Cup. Their women are scheduled to compete in the 2004 world cup in England.

Japanese Lacrosse
Us Lacrosse

Mason Smith
Haldeman's Sensei's Class