CLL Returning to Australia and Europe in 2024

ARTICLE PHOTO: Luke Hanna

The Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) with its Canada Development Team (CANDT) will once again make its way around the globe in an effort to grow box lacrosse internationally and provide domestic players with opportunities to develop ahead of the 2024 Regular Season. 

After the success of the inaugural IIJL Commonwealth Cup last March, the CLL will head back down under to Altona, Victoria, Australia. The 2024 IIJL Commonwealth Cup will take place February 17-20 to coincide with the 2024 Lacrosse Australia Box Championships, both hosted by Altona Lacrosse Club with games at the beautiful outdoor Alan Lewer Box Court.

[PHOTO: CANDT Captain Matthew St. Germain hosts IIJL Commonwealth Cup with his teammates.] 

Previously, the Commonwealth Cup was played in March. With the shift in schedule, the CLL is now able to better host a series of box lacrosse specific camps, including coaching and officiating clinics, while in Australia. The 2024 IIJL Commonwealth Cup will once again serve as a proving ground for Australian players looking to earn a roster spot for Australia at the 2024 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship and those who are interested in entering the Canadian Lacrosse League Import Draft.

The IIJL Commonwealth Cup will follow the same formate as the previous year. The CLL will be joined by three (3) city-based Australian teams. The four team will play a six (6) game round-robin over three days. On the fourth and final day the CLL will face an all-star roster, assembled by Australian Box Lacrosse, comprised of best players from the three city-based Australian teams for a one game winner-take-all 2024 IIJL Commonwealth Cup Final. 

[PHOTO: Downtown Melbourne,VIC facing north only minutes from Altona, VIC.] 

[PHOTO: Prague facing west along Charles Bridge towards Prague Castle only minutes away from Radotín.]

After the final weekend of Regional Combines the CLL will travel to Europe from April 10-19 where CANDT will embark on a European tour. Currently scheduled, stops will include an exhibition friendly in Bratislava, Slovakia against the Slovak Men's National Box Team before heading to Prague, Czechia to compete in the international friendly tournament, 2024 E-Box. 

The CLL roster will bring a balanced CANDT roster to E-Box, where they will play against Men's National Box Teams who are preparing for the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships. Notable teams that CANDT have played at previous E-Box tournaments include; Austria, Czechia, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland, 

[PHOTO: CANDT stand at attention for the playing of the Czech and Canadian National Anthems at LCC Radotín.]

CLL Canada Development Team (CANDT) rosters are comprised of players who have attended Regional Combines, both past and present. 

ABOUT IIJL COMMONWEALTH CUP
Established in 2019, the second annual IIJL Commonwealth Cup will take place in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia February 17-20, 2024. Tickets for the 2024 IIJL Commonwealth Cup are available through the Altona Lacrosse Club website. Stay up to date using social media on Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT E-BOX
The eighth annual of the international games series European Box Lacrosse Invitational is held at the LCC Radotín arena (Vykoukových 622/2, Prague-Radotín) and in Černošice arena (Fügnerova 1244, Černošice) from Friday April 19 to Monday April 22. Ten European national teams will compete.