ORIGINATION

LACROSSE IN BERMUDA HAS ITS FOUNDATIONS IN THE 1980S AND 1990S WHEN US HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGIATE TEAMS VISITED THE ISLAND DURING SPRING BREAK TO PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING CAMPS AND PRESEASON TOURNAMENTS IN THE WARMER WINTER CLIMATE.

 

The Bermuda Lacrosse Association’s genesis was in 2002 when a Bermudian, Kirk Bridgewater and two expatriates American, Andy Soucie and Canadian, Ernie Theriault attempted to bring together a recreational game of lacrosse on the island. Initial pick-up games were played at Bernard Park with any available gear on the island. Equipment was so sparse the goals initially consisted of garbage cans and parking gate fences until nets were constructed from PVC pipe and fishing net, items readily available on the island.

The fast pace and physical nature of Lacrosse piqued the interest of many of the island’s athletes and the number of players grew exponentially. Official lacrosse goals and gear were imported from the United States and weekly pickup games were organized. In 2004, the first Bermudian Tri-Nations tournament featured three local teams representing Bermuda, Canada and the United States.


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INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

 

2006 MEN’S WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Bermuda debuted on the international lacrosse stage in London, Ontario in the World Lacrosse Championships.  Bermuda was led by some of the founding members of the Bermuda Lacrosse Association and finished 21st in the world lacrosse standings.

2008 BOYS’ U-19 WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

As the sport became more popular, a younger generation of Bermudian lacrosse players emerged. In 2008, Bermuda traveled to Coquitlam, British Colombia to compete in the U-19 World Lacrosse Championships. The team faced Germany, Scotland, Finland, Wales and South Korea on its way to a top ten finish in the world lacrosse standings. The tournament was another step forward in the development of lacrosse in Bermuda and two of its players were selected to the All-World Honorable Mention Team.  

2010 MEN’S WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Bermuda Men’s National Team traveled to Manchester, England in 2010 to compete against the best lacrosse players from 30 different nations. Bermuda continued to ride its positive momentum in defeating Denmark, Norway and Latvia on their way to an 18th place finish in the World Lacrosse Championships.  

2014 MEN’S WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Bermuda once again stepped unto foreign soil in Denver, USA and proved it was up to the task. Bermuda finished second in its division for the first time in team history after facing Ireland, France and Uganda. Despite losing more than half of its roster to injuries during the tournament, Bermuda was able to finish 24th out of a field of 38 different countries. 

2018 MEN’S WORLD LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Bermuda men traveled nearly halfway across the globe to Netanya, Israel to compete in the largest ever World Championships with a field of 46 teams.  Bermuda's deepest roster to date faced stiff competition from Puerto Rico (7th) and Wales (13th) but was able to emerge with its best international record to date of 5 wins and only 3 losses.  With five key players aged 18 and younger, the future of Bermuda Lacrosse has never looked brighter.