CLL Announces Formalization of Canada Development Team

WINNIPEG, MB – The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) announces the formalization of the Canada Development Team (CANDT) as the next phase of their Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model. 

Previously, the CLL utilized opportunities to compete at the 2019 ELF E-Box in Radotín Prague, Czech Republic and 2020 IIJL Commonwealth Cup in Melbourne, Australia (cancelled due to the pandemic) to build relationships with and further evaluate players for potential inclusion on World Junior rosters. However, those teams operated adjacent to championship rosters and did not have a formal designation within the CLL LTAD.

Moving forward, rosters for the CANDT will be selected from players who have attended Regional Combines and/or competed for Canada at an IIJL World Junior, World U18, and World U16 Lacrosse Championship. 

The CLL continues to work with players to identify gaps in development and provide new opportunities. The formalization of the CANDT is a logical next step of evolution for domestic development. "As part of our LTAD Model it is important that we have a platform for players to continue to develop once they have aged out of major junior lacrosse." said Chris Fox, President of the Canadian Lacrosse League.

CANDT rosters will not be limited to specific age categories. Instead, focus will be placed on providing aid to players who need additional opportunities in an effort to achieve their individual goals - either with the CLL or with other junior, senior, and professional leagues. 

Additionally, the CANDT will run congruently with US Indoor Lacrosse's US Development Team (USADT) to provide CANDT players the opportunity to train and compete in Canada, the United States, and internationally year-round. 

The CANDT will continue to compete in non-IIJL international events, ELF E-Box, and existing non-championship IIJL events, IIJL Commonwealth Cup, in addition to a full slate of future non-championship IIJL events that will be announced at later dates. 

ABOUT CANADIAN LACROSSE LEAGUE
The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) was established in 2016 as a Founding Member Nation (Canada) of International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) to compete annually in the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship (WJLC). The CLL is the first major junior lacrosse league in Canada with intra-league competition between the Ontario Lacrosse League (OLL) and Western Lacrosse League (WLL) culminating in a CLL National Championship. For more information about CLL, visit canadianlacrosseleague.com and connect with the CLL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.