Lacrosse
A contact sport where teams of 10 players use sticks with nets on the end to throw a ball into the opposition's goal.
Lacrosse was introduced to Australia during the gold rush in Victoria in 1853. The sport was being played across every Australian state by 1974.
The first national body for lacrosse, the Australasian Lacrosse Union, was formed in 1904. 1,3
Discover more about lacrosse through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make lacrosse more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about lacrosse.
Evolution:
- Australasian Lacrosse Union [1904-1908]
- Australian Lacrosse Council [1931-2008]
- Australian Lacrosse Association [2008-2021]
- Lacrosse Australia [2021-]
Participation
An estimated 6,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 4,500 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 2,500 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 3,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for lacrosse through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Lacrosse Australia, opens in a new tab is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of lacrosse in Australia.
The Australasian Lacrosse Union was disbanded in 1908 after state delegates decided the union had proved unwieldy.
The Australian Lacrosse Council was formed in 1931 as the new national body for lacrosse. The Australian Women's Lacrosse Council was formed in 1962, primarily to oversee the game for women in Victoria and South Australia.
In 2008, the Australian Lacrosse Council and the Australian Women's Lacrosse Council merged to become known as the Australian Lacrosse Association.
The organisation rebranded to Lacrosse Australia in 2021, however Lacrosse Australia had previously been adopted a trading name from 1986. 4,5,6
REFERENCES
- Our Story, opens in a new tab, Lacrosse Australia (accessed 28 January 2026)
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 October 2025)
- Lacrosse Notes, opens in a new tab, Adelaide Observer (30 July 1904)
- Australasian Lacrosse Union, opens in a new tab, Evening Journal (25 August 1908)
- This is Lacrosse Australia, opens in a new tab, Lacrosse Australia (accessed 28 January 2026)
- A Brief History of Women's Lacrosse in Australia, opens in a new tab, Lambton Mount Lacrosse Club (accessed 28 January 2026)
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Lacrosse Australia Annual Report 2024[PDF • 7.89 mb]
- Lacrosse Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 2.19 mb]
- Lacrosse Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 3.67 mb]
- Lacrosse Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 2.31 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2020[PDF • 8.2 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2019[PDF • 4.43 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2018[PDF • 4.03 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2017[PDF • 4.27 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2016[PDF • 4.33 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2015[PDF • 3.83 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2014[PDF • 2.59 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2013[PDF • 3.67 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2012[PDF • 4.29 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2011[PDF • 1.43 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2010[PDF • 4.43 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2009[PDF • 2.62 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Annual Report 2008[PDF • 262.62 kb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 2003[PDF • 1.56 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 2001[PDF • 1.48 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 2000[PDF • 1.35 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1999[PDF • 2.17 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1998[PDF • 2.3 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1997[PDF • 2.09 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1996[PDF • 2.04 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1995[PDF • 1.72 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1994[PDF • 1.56 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1993[PDF • 1.24 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1992[PDF • 1.22 mb]
- Australian Lacrosse Council Annual Report 1991[PDF • 1.25 mb]
- Lacrosse in Australia 2019-2022 Strategic Plan[PDF • 883.52 kb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association National Participation Framework (2019)[PDF • 1.59 mb]
- Strategy for Lacrosse in Australia 2015-2018[PDF • 361.69 kb]
- Australian Lacrosse Association Strategic Plan 2012-2014[PDF • 381.69 kb]
