Ireland Lacrosse Drops Out Of World Games So Native American Team Can Play
October 1, 2020
Ireland's lacrosse team is withdrawing from an international tournament to allow a Native American team to play instead.
When invitations went out to men's lacrosse teams to compete in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Ala., the No. 3 Iroquois Nationals wasn't on the list.
Organizers said the Nationals could not compete because it is not from a sovereign nation, even though Native Americans are the originators of lacrosse.
A petition calling for the Nationals inclusion got more than 50,000 signatures and the World Games' organizers admitted their mistake, but it was too late. The roster of eight teams was full.
Enter: Ireland.
"None of us would be going to Birmingham, Ala., in the first place if it wasn't for the Iroquois and giving us the gift of their medicine game," Sonny Campbell, a player for Ireland Lacrosse, told NPR.
So, the team withdrew from The World Games 2022 and the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team will take its place, World Lacrosse announced.
"It's simply the right thing to do," Michael Kennedy, chief executive officer of Ireland Lacrosse, said in a statement.
"As much as our players would have been honoured to compete, we know the right thing is for the Iroquois Nationals to represent our sport on this international stage."
The World Games is an international tournament involving more than 30 "unique, multi-disciplinary sports" held every four years the year after the Summer Olympic Games.
Ireland finished 12th in the 2018 World Championship, while the Iroquois Nationals finished third.
"You have gone above and beyond not only for us, but for what you believe is right," the Iroquois Nationals tweeted to Ireland Lacrosse. "Your actions have spoken louder than words showing everyone the true power of sport, and the spirit of lacrosse. We will never forget that."
To @IrelandLacrosse,
— IROQUOIS NATIONALS LACROSSE (@IRQ_Nationals) September 3, 2020
You have gone above and beyond not only for us, but for what you believe is right.
Your actions have spoken louder than words showing everyone the true power of sport, and the spirit of lacrosse.
We will never forget that.
I dteannta a chéile#TogetherAsOne pic.twitter.com/qmDSYauaM5
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Boy With Down Syndrome Nails The Whitney Houston Challenge, And The Crowd Goes Wild
The Funniest Wildlife Photos Of 2025 Are Here — And They’re Hilarious
This Priest Secretly Became A Masked Wrestler To Fund An Orphanage
This 30-Year-Old’s Christmas Gift To His Mom Is Going Viral
Police 'Arrest' A Lost Cat For 'Assault' — And She Has No Regrets
Police Officer’s Simple Question Leads To An Unforgettable Christmas Moment
The Hug That Went Viral On Facebook
He Asked For Help Wrapping A Christmas Present — Then Surprised Her With A Life-Changing Gift
You Have To See This 'Piggy Train' Trotting Through The Snow
She’s Been Helping Hungry Children For Years — This Christmas, Someone Helped Her
This Teacher Found A Simple Way To Make Every Student Feel Loved
