The Women’s Professional Lacrosse League has announced its inaugural weekend will take place at US Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland – through its relationship with the sport's governing body – on Saturday, September 30.
“US Lacrosse is thrilled to be able to host the WPLL for their Legends Game and opening showcase,” says Ann Carpenetti, Vice President of Lacrosse Operations. “We are very supportive of the opportunities WPLL will be offering elite women's lacrosse players who want to play at the highest level, while inspiring future generations of youth athletes.”
The opening weekend will act as a preview of what’s to come in the WPLL, which formally opens play summer 2018. The showcase game will feature players from all five teams officially drafted into the WPLL on August 23rd, which will be streamed live on Lax Sports Network, and display some of the many new rules the league will employ.
“We are extremely excited to offer a first look at the WPLL over the September weekend,” says league commissioner Jen Adams. “We aim to provide post-collegiate women's lacrosse players the premier platform to showcase their athleticism and skill. Fans can expect us to roll out a fast-paced and dynamic brand of the game, as well as innovative programming surrounding all aspects of the league. This weekend will be a small taste of the exciting things that we have in store for the future.”
In addition to the showcase game, the WPLL will be paying homage to those players and coaches that paved the way for women’s professional lacrosse through its Legends Celebration. The celebration will honor players and coaches, alike, who have made incredible contributions to the sport and have helped drive women’s lacrosse forward at the youth, high school, collegiate, post-collegiate and international levels.
“There are so many important trailblazers within the women's game that deserve this recognition. These are names that may never have the chance to play professional women's lacrosse, but are the reason that others have this opportunity today,” explains Adams. “As we continue to push forward, we are committed to looking back in order to honor and respect the amazing women of our sport. This event is just one of the many ways we plan to interweave past, present, and future in to the fabric of the WPLL.”
“The WPLL Showcase Weekend is exciting for several reasons,” says league founder and CEO Michele DeJuliis. “We’ll have the opportunity to display the talent and competition of what’s to come in the year ahead and honor those that truly are the pioneers in our sport. There is a 30-year span between some of these players – all whom have helped grow and change this game for the better. I think we can all say we are lucky to have picked up a stick but more importantly we are now connected forever and better for it.”
WPLL Inaugural Weekend Programming
(Saturday, September 30 at US Lacrosse Headquarters, 2 Loveton Circle, Sparks, MD 21152)
9:30am: WPLL Brunch
11:00am: Legends Celebration and Game
1:00pm: WPLL Showcase Game
WPLL players, coaches and league management will arrive Friday, September 29, for meetings, gear distribution and a brief practice before the showcase game kick off Saturday, September 30. The WPLL draft entry is underway and closed on Tuesday, August 15th. The draft will be streamed live on Lax Sports Network on August 23.