About Lacrosse in Turkey

The thought of starting lacrosse in Turkey actually started before I moved to Istanbul in August of 2009. I did some research and noticed that Turkey didn’t have a team or federation. So I decided then that one of my first goals when we (my wife and I) moved was to establish this great sport here.

Once I arrived in August 2009 with all my equipment and back up sticks I proceeded to search for others in Istanbul that either wanted to play or have played in the past. Luckily I found a few expats who were willing to learn this sport and in October 2009, at a local park, we threw our first lacrosse ball. I contacted the FIL and the ELF about my intentions and they gave us support by sending us equipment to begin our programme.

We were granted membership into the FIL as the 38th member nation this past summer at the Word games in Manchester.

What you love most about Lacrosse:
There isn’t truly just one piece that I love about lacrosse. I truly love lacrosse as a whole. The physicality of play and the bonds that grow between teammates and adversaries are important to me. The lacrosse community is one of the greatest communities I have ever been a part of. I am amazed on a daily basis how much everyone is willing to help one another on and off the field.

What year was lacrosse established:
2009 but we are still in the process of becoming a federation under the laws of the Turkish Sports government. The Istanbul Sultans lacrosse Club is awaiting formal recognition as a club which began in 2009. Izmit, a city just outside of Istanbul, has informally started a club in 2010 and is working on club status.  Mercedes-Benz Turk factory has also started an informal team in 2010.

We currently have other established sports clubs in Istanbul wanting to establish lacrosse as a branch of their programmes.

Current organization enrollment

Well, we currently have about 50 “members”. The Istanbul Sultans maintains about 25 or so while Izmit has about 8-10 and Mercedes has roughly 15 players and we are growing each and every month.

I am contacted every month by 2-5 new people interested in either learning the game or have played lacrosse in the past while in the US. We started as a mainly expat organization but quickly have moved to an almost all Turkish organization which is essential to the success and growth of our sport here.

Organizations ambitions over the next 5 years:
In 2011, I would like to see us become a recognized federation under Turkish law with 3-5 established clubs and be members of the ELF by summer so we can participate in the 2012 European Championships in Amsterdam. We would like to play our first international game by the end of 2011 and start a league within the same timeframe.

Istanbul itself has been recognized as the 2012 European capitol of Sports and this greatly helps our cause and we now have the backing from the Sports Minister himself to the development of lacrosse. I would like to see our youth programme begin within 2012 and be ready for international play shortly thereafter. We also are proposing to have our first international tournament here in 2012.

By 2014, I see Turkey playing in the World games in Denver and have between 10-15 clubs playing for both men and women.
I feel by the end of 2015, Turkey will have almost 20 clubs playing and roughly 500 members.

What is the greatest problem facing your club’s development:
Our greatest obstacle is equipment. I currently have more players than equipment available. Playing fields are an issue but we are working with the Sports government and the city of Istanbul to remedy this.

Unfortunately, Turkish citizens cannot afford to purchase equipment like those in other countries because of financial difficulties. I am hoping to establish relations with other clubs, universities and organizations worldwide that will help us. Turkey has 72 million people with 50% (roughly 36 million) under the age of 30.

The growth potential here is amazing and I have already seen it firsthand. With a population so young and is estimated to be roughly 90 million by 2040 with the same percentages, Turkey can and will be a major contender on the international lacrosse playing field in a very short time.

Patrick E Dougherty – Founder/coach/player- Turkey Lacrosse and Istanbul Sultans Lacrosse Club and Years Experience- 21 years. You can visit Lacrosse Turkey offical website and get more information now if you like http://www.turkeylacrosse.com/