BALTIMORE — US Lacrosse has named deBeer Lacrosse as the official equipment and apparel sponsor of the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program. The partnership, which runs through 2010, calls for deBeer Lacrosse to become the exclusive supplier of equipment and apparel for the U.S. Elite, Developmental and Under-19 teams. US Lacrosse and deBeer will work together on a four-year program to promote the national teams and the sport through a number of initiatives.

"We’re extremely excited to begin this partnership with deBeer Lacrosse," said Ann Kitt Carpenetti, Women’s Division director for US Lacrosse. "deBeer is committed to helping us develop all aspects of our national teams program and we look forward to working with them in the years to come."

"It is a tremendous honor to be the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program sponsor," said Jennifer Levy, director of brand marketing at deBeer. "This partnership is a reflection of our commitment and dedication to women’s lacrosse. We look forward to working with US Lacrosse in the years to come."

US Lacrosse oversees all aspects of the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program. In addition to its play on the field, the U.S. Women’s Team players are very active in helping to promote and develop the game. Each year the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program conducts approximately 20 clinics for young players and coaches around the country.

The next scheduled public activity for the U.S. Women’s National Teams Program will be the Champions Challenge Weekend from Jan. 26-28, 2007, in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. Elite and Developmental teams will hold practices, clinics for local players and exhibition games against defending NCAA Division I champion Northwestern University and the University of Massachusetts at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

The next international competition for the U.S. will be the IFWLA Under-19 World Championship from Aug 4-12, 2007 in Peterborough, Ontario in Canada. The next World Cup will be in 2009 in the Czech Republic. The U.S. is the defending champion in the Under-19 event and finished as the silver medalist to Australia at the 2005 IFWLA World Cup in Annapolis, Md.

Founded in 1889, deBeer has a more than century-old tradition of quality, innovation and personalized customer service. deBeer’s innovations have continued to the present day with the introduction of lacrosse gear featuring product design by legendary lacrosse player, Paul Gait. Gait’s unique and innovative understanding of the game is reflected in the Gait by deBeer Men’s Lacrosse and deBeer Women’s Lacrosse product line. For more information, visit www.debeerlacrosse.com.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing body for men's and women's lacrosse.