The WPLL announced today its plans to restructure the league. It will go from five teams to four, eliminating the WPLL Fire. New league leadership has been hired, as have two new head coaches.
Because the league has eliminated the Fire, each team has protected 12 players ahead of the late-April college and free agency draft. Travel rosters will be reduced from 19 to 15 players, and 22 players will comprise each roster.
ILWomen revealed the protected rosters on Instagram.
There is also new leadership, as former U.S. national team player Amber McKenzie will serve as the Futures Director, a position overseeing youth development in relation to US Lacrosse's national team development program.
WPLL CEO Michele DeJuliis provided this statement to Inside Lacrosse:
The WPLL is a labor of intense love. I created the WPLL because I am passionate about providing opportunities for women to play the sport of lacrosse at the very highest level. I’m forever grateful for all of those who have been a part of this ambitious vision and the execution of bringing professional women’s lacrosse to our country.
In creating the WPLL, my goals were clear: I wanted to create a league where women could play at the professional level, while also growing personally. It was important to me that our women understood how critical they are to the next generation and the overall growth of the game we love. We have shared our passion and connected closely with young girls who could only dream of one day being in their shoes. So many people have given this league and the vision everything they have and we’re still fighting.
We want to evolve our game to make it more exciting and to expand to support the athleticism and pace in which our women can play. We want to make the Olympic dream a reality. We are passionate about providing opportunities that compare to the men. And yet, it is still so hard.
What we learned after two seasons is that our grassroots efforts are struggling to get us to the next level. We have the right pieces: we have the most passionate & influential people in the game involved in every aspect of our organization. We have worked tirelessly to put an exceptional product on the field. But, we still need more support. We need more sponsors—sponsors willing to support the ascension of women’s lacrosse to the professional and Olympic ranks. We need additional support for travel and expenses so that we can bring together the world’s best.
We have decided to restructure for a better and brighter future. We understand that in order to build a sustainable league, we need to rethink, reimagine and honestly, be transparent and engage with our players on a different level.
Our professional athletes continue to pour their heart and soul into our vision. They connect with the next generation and make themselves accessible. I’m reminded that this is our reward. We see thousands of young girls overwhelmed with excitement to meet a pro player— to take a selfie, to get a hug, to shake a hand. We see so much light in so many young girls’ eyes and hearts, as they can see a future for their own passion.
The game is as healthy as it’s ever been. Let’s always remember that the next generation—our legacy—is why we do what we do. And we will continue to make a difference.
Season 3, we’re coming for you with the best talent in the game.