COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — World Lacrosse today welcomed Panama Lacrosse as the newest member-National Governing Body with the International Federation. With the addition of Panama Lacrosse, membership in World Lacrosse now stands at 66 National Governing Bodies around the world.

“We are all very excited to welcome Panama Lacrosse to the World Lacrosse family,” said Bob DeMarco, World Lacrosse Board of Directors Member and Development Director. “Panama becomes the 17th member from the Pan-American Region, and we are thrilled to be part of their growth.”

The President of Panama Lacrosse is Alfonso Ramsey and the Chief Executive Officer is Ryland Huyghue.

The sport of lacrosse continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and membership in World Lacrosse has increased by more than 240 percent since 2002. In the last 10 months alone, in addition to Panama, World Lacrosse has welcomed new member-National Governing Bodies from Ghana, Barbados and Lithuania.

In 2019, World Lacrosse hosted its largest-ever Women’s U19 World Championship (22 teams; nine competing for the first time) and Men’s Indoor World Championship (20 teams; four competing for the first time). The organization also continued expanding the educational resources and services provided to its members and opened its first-ever headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

In November 2018, World Lacrosse gained Provisional Recognition from the International Olympic Committee. The President of World Lacrosse is Sue Redfern of England, and the Chief Executive Officer is Jim Scherr of the United States.