Ayana Green, President of the Women's Post-Collegiate Club Council, discusses the steps we are making toward international lacrosse unification

Something historic is bubbling in the lacrosse world. I know many of you struggle to remain connected to your local team, so the prospect of staying connected to the larger lacrosse world, let alone the international landscape, is incomprehensible. Yet, you should know this is an important time. Perhaps the implications of which will not affect you, but very well might affect your daughters and sons if they ever pick up a stick (we sure hope so).

The IFWLA and the ILF are considering a merger. For some of you those anagrams are completely foreign. I'm hoping to change that. The IFWLA, which stands for the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations, and the ILF, which stands for the International Lacrosse Foundation, are the two international governing bodies of women's and men's lacrosse. In 2004, the membership of both organizations agreed to form a joint committee to evaluate and develop a proposal on a possible merger. As a result, each organization named three representatives to form this unprecedented committee.

The committee is diverse not only in sex, but in nationality. Australia, Canada, England, Germany and the United States are represented. Steve Stenersen, Executive Director of US Lacrosse and Feffie Barnhill represent the United States. On February 7, 2006 I had a moment to speak to Feffie about this historic venture.

There are many long time lacrosse leaders that remain invisible to the everyday lacrosse athlete. While we navigate our lives through college and beyond, we have countless pioneers advocating, protecting, and growing the sport we love. Feffie is one of those women. Her resume is quite impressive. It is more a breathing document recording the history of women's lacrosse. She has been a player, coach, umpire, athletic director, president, chair and most importantly volunteer. Feffie played in college and was named Outstanding Senior Female Athlete for having lettered in 5 sports!!! She has been a coach at the highest level, serving as assistant US Women's Lacrosse World Cup Team (they brought home the Cup). She has been the President of Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (the 2nd in their history). VP of US Women's Lacrosse Association is another distinction, during which she led the merger committee to form what is now known as US Lacrosse, Inc. (USL). She was VP of the IFWLA, Chair of USL Board of Directors, Board of Trustees member of Tewaaraton Foundation, current Chair of the Coaches Education Committee for USL, member of the organizing committee of Under 19 World Championships and World Cup, member of both International Men's and Women's Strategic Planning Workshops and just recently member of the International Lacrosse Development Committee (ILDC). In recognition, among many honors she has been inducted in the Hall of Fame for Ursinus College and Virginia Lacrosse. So it is no wonder she is now involved in what may be the most significant venture to affect our sport this century.

In 2004, both governing bodies had their respective strategic planning meetings. During these meetings, the challenges affecting both governing bodies and the game were addressed. The organizations had some issues in common. The IFWLA and ILF both struggle to generate and sustain human and financial resources to fuel greater activity, and a unified structure would provide greater operation efficiency. The growth of the game requires a higher level of management in many fundamental areas: event scheduling, planning, development initiatives, fundraising and so much more. Not only are there some common issues, there is one common goal. Both organizations want lacrosse to be considered for Olympic recognition. One pre-requisite is a unified international governing body.

Although the Olympics is the pinnacle, other international competitions of stature such as the Pan Am and Commonwealth Games also require unification. It seems we are bit behind the curve. Many other sports have unified governing bodies as well as most all of the lacrosse member nations.

With over 30 years history of both organizations, the IFWLA founded in 1972 and the ILF in 1974, October 7-9, 2005 was a monumental moment. That weekend marked the first meeting of the committee formed by the International Governing Bodies. Better late than never. So although one would think everyone is embracing this possibility, there is some expected skepticism.

Once upon a time the women's and men's game in the United States were separate. The United States Women's Lacrosse Association (USWLA) was a unified body serving the women's game. The men on the other hand had several independent entities serving the men's game. The foremost of those entities was the Lacrosse Foundation. In 1993, a merger committee was formed. Of course, Feffie served on this committee from 1993-1995 when USL was formed. Like now, the committee then was met with some resistance. As Feffie states, "Certain groups approached the merger as a takeover and not a unification." So there is some déjà vu. Feffie shares, "When dealing with a merger there are cultural and practical challenges. Amazingly enough, the cultural hurdles are often harder to clear. People must change their mindset. This is not a win-lose. This is a win-win. Both interests will be protected and preserved. " Feffie reminds us, "We are one sport-two games. We must work together to ensure the longevity of the sport" Although Feffie wants all voices to be heard, she hopes there is an overwhelming chorus in support of unification.

What began with the first meeting October 2005 hosted by US Lacrosse will continue in Germany the weekend of March 31, 2006. In the interim the executive committees of both governing bodies are reviewing the position paper from the first meeting. Their comments will be discussed in March and the committee will publish a revised position paper that each body's membership will evaluate at upcoming summer meetings. In October 2006, what will be a year later, the committee will meet face to face once again to hopefully finalize a unification plan. Come 2007, a new era in lacrosse may begin. The process of unification may ensue and a new governing body representing both women and men will form.

So, as we female post-collegiate players try to remain connected to the game we love, we are fortunate to know that others are working on our behalf off the field. The sport we love is in good hands. With Feffie's and Steve's leadership our daughters and sons will inherit a bigger and better game. But still, as members of this special lacrosse community we must try to do our part to stay connected. We must ensure the next generation gives birth to more pioneers investing their time and effort into our game. We can't all do it, but we need to make sure someone can. With our long list of "To Do's," let's begin by adding one simple task - just stay informed. That is the first step. You never know what you could be missing.

To learn more about the IFWLA visit http://www.womenslacrosse.org
To learn more about the ILF visit http://www.intlaxfed.org

To submit something for publication, please contact our editor Dana Czapnik at danaczapnik@yahoo.com.