Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a fast-paced contact sport where teams use long-handled sticks with netted heads to pass, catch and shoot a ball into the opposition's goal.
Lacrosse was introduced to Australia during the Victorian gold rush 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
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 Women's Lacrosse Council [1962-2008]
- Australian Lacrosse Association [2008-2021]
- Lacrosse Australia [2021-]
Participation
An estimated 7,000 Australians [aged 15+] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 2,500 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2025. 2
An estimated 4,000 Australian women and 3,000 men [aged 15+] participated in lacrosse at least once in 2025. 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 governments at all levels as the national governing body for lacrosse in Australia.
History
The Australasian Lacrosse Union was disbanded in 1908 after state delegates decided the organisation had become unwieldy.
The Australian Lacrosse Council was established in 1931 as the national governing body for lacrosse. The Australian Women's Lacrosse Council was formed in 1962 to oversee women's lacrosse, primarily in Victoria and South Australia.
In 2008, the Australian Lacrosse Council and the Australian Women's Lacrosse Council merged to form the Australian Lacrosse Association.
The organisation publicly rebranded as Lacrosse Australia in 2021, although Lacrosse Australia had been used as its trading name since 1986. 4,5,6
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 2025[PDF • 6.94 mb]
- 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 Australia Strategic Plan 2024-2027[PDF • 17.53 mb]
- Game On! 2026: Lacrosse in Australia Participation and Engagement Strategy [2022-2026][PDF • 680.99 kb]
- 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]
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 6 May 2026).
- 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).
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