IIJL Age Realignment Update

International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) has unanimously voted on an age realignment for both the Junior and U18 categories. 

The IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship will now include players who are or will be turning twenty one years of age during the year of the championship. While Developing Nations have been able to roster 21 year old players in the past; Canada, Haudenosaunee, and United States have not been able to include players of that age. "This age classification better aligns to the true junior age categorization in lacrosse" said IIJL and CLL President Chris Fox. 

With the added year for Junior players across all teams, this meant a development gap as players aged out of U18 into Junior, as more 21 and 20 year old players are likely to be rostered. To better align, the IIJL World U18 Lacrosse Championship will now include players who are or will be turning eighteen years of age during the year of the championship. Previously, the U18 category was exclusive to 16 and 17 year olds across all teams. 

"Some teams may still choose to focus on 16 and 17 year olds, but they now have the ability to roster 18 year olds - this helps organizations grow and provide a development path best suited to meet each individual player's needs." Fox added.