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History:
New Zealand’s first lacrosse
game was reportedly played on June
17, 1899 on Stitchbury's Paddock and
involved a few expatriate players
and a handful of local enthusiasts.
It was also during that year when
the New Zealand Lacrosse Association
was founded, followed by the conduct
of the Auckland Regional Championships.
By 1901, six clubs comprised the Auckland
league, including those from Grafton,
Grey Lynn, North Shore, Parnell, Ponsonby
and Suburbs. However, the First World
War severely affected the development
of lacrosse in New Zealand. The sport
took a quick downturn – even
in the 1920s, no structure existed
in New Zealand to support the sport.
The formation of the New Zealand
Lacrosse Association (NZLA) in October
2000 marked the return of lacrosse
in the country’s sporting scene.
In December that year, the first lacrosse
game was played after more than 80
years. League expansion ensued in
2001, with the teams increasing to
four. By the end of 2001, there were
six teams composing the League. It
was also in 2001 when New Zealand
established its first women’s
league.
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