Lacrosse, Lacrosse, Lacrosse

A league of its own… Shanghai Lacrosse Club gets the recognition it has sought for so long, as the American sport takes off in Shanghai.

A group of about twenty Chinese people are gathered around the seven-a-side field next to Hongkou Football stadium. They’re watching a group of westerners in helmets running across a synthetic lawn with long sticks, with bated breath. They had neither banners nor flags to support their favourite team, and I’m not even sure they can understand any of the rules. Still, filled with curiosity and fascination, they peer through the metal net and clap enthusiastically when someone scores a goal. For sure, they’re not long-term die-hard lacrosse fans. But they are undoubtedly captivated by a sport that is completely new to them.

Lacrosse is a contact team sport, which is popular mainly in the United States and Canada. Its origin is Native American, and dates back to 1637 AD. Players use long-handled sticks with netted heads called 'crosse's to catch and pass the ball. And as with most field sports, there are two goals. In the early 90s, the US National Team came to China, and tried to popularise lacrosse, but at that time, it didn’t quite work out.

The second push was made ten years later and only really made a breakthrough in the last two years, with the Chinese Lacrosse Association finally joining the Federation of International Lacrosse as recently as January 2012.  This has been largely in Shanghai thanks to Mike Elefante and Corey Sorrento’s efforts in organising the Shanghai Lacrosse Club.

Mike arrived in Shanghai about three years ago and is proud of his achievements in being one of the pioneers in expanding lacrosse here. He, himself, started to play in the States when he was twelve years old and not wanting to bid his favourite game farewell after moving to China, founded and establised the Shanghai Lacrosse Club two years ago in order to bring together other lacrosse lovers.

The idea for the Shanghai Lacrosse Club first came about from Mike’s help in organising lacrosse games with the assistance of Active Kidz Shanghai (AKS), an organisation providing quality sports and recreational programs for children of the international community. “It’s a cool sport. It’s not only about pushing each other around with a stick as some people think. It combines elements of football, basketball and hockey. Lacrosse is also a good way to socialise, especially for kids.”

But then both him and Corey recognised the potential of expanding lacrosse and reaching out to other interested adults. “Before, we were more focused only on developing programs for the local students at different universities around town. But we saw the need for an adult club and we started organising the league,” says Corey Sorrento. “Now, experienced players and beginners play at our club, both men and women. We welcome everyone who has a real passion to play.”

Since its expansion, the Shanghai Lacrosse Club has seen not only Americans and Canadian participants, but many other different nationalities, curious about this new and developing sport. “The Japanese players we have are really good. We also have five Chinese guys right now in the league, and we will have ten more quite soon. I believe that lacrosse has potential in Shanghai because it's only recently, become very much popular amongst the locals,” says Corey.

Now, they play every Sunday at Hongkou Stadium from 12 to 2pm. “We have only two teams in the league so far, but we are planning to expand,” says Mike. “At first, it was very difficult to organise everything. You can’t even buy the equipment here - only lacrosse sticks, but those you have to buy them directly from the factory. Usually, we have to ask someone to bring helmets, arm pads or gloves with them directly from the States. I have a lot of contacts there, but primarily everything is donated by American schools and shipped to Shanghai.”

Anthony Hidell, a tall midfielder, has been living in Shanghai for only about six months, but was very enthusiastic to find out about the Shanghai Lacrosse League, and has already become an indispensable player to the team. “I started to play lacrosse when I was in the middle school. I have three brothers and we have all been playing since childhood. I am so happy that I can enjoy the whole season (15 games) here for only RMB 800.”

Lacrosse education in schools and universities, along with  growing curiosity from locals indicate that this sport has real potential to expand in China in the next few months. The push for developing lacrosse, and gaining recognition in the international lacrosse community means teams in the Shanghai Lacrosse League can get support on an official level and the development process can begin. These are exciting developments for the Shanghai Lacrosse Club and for lacrosse in China as a whole. As the old proverb goes: “a journey of a thousand li begins with a single step,” and here, it has already been made.
 
RMB 800 to join for the whole season (15 games). To join the Shanghai Lacrosse Club or gain additional information into how to get involved, visit www.shanghailacrosse.com. Email: [email protected]