THE ELITE SIXES LEAGUE CREATED BY ENGLAND LACROSSE WILL RETURN IN 2025. HERE'S WHY THE FLY IS SO IMPORTANT
Since its launch in 2021, The Fly Sixes Lacrosse League has seen hundreds of high-level lacrosse players compete for teams Hustle, Forge, Swift and Rise in both a men's and women's competition. The event, usually run across a number of weekends in early summer, was formed by the England Lacrosse Association (ELA) in anticipation of a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include this version of lacrosse in the 2028 Olympic Games. The league provides players with an opportunity to play this new, faster discipline, and showcase it to both lacrosse and non-lacrosse audiences. Although faced with adversity from those who were reluctant to let go of the traditional format, The Fly has continued to grow in popularity over the years, especially since the October 2023 announcement that lacrosse is once again an Olympic Sport.
For its 2023 season which was held at one of South London's many rugby venues, Rosslyn Park, The Fly invited spectators for the first time to witness the Sixes action in person. Popular with all age groups and even luring in people for whom lacrosse was new, the decision to open the event to the public proved an excellent one both for The Fly and its players. The in-person spectatorship grew in 2024 with a record number coming to support their favourite players, coaches, and teams across two venues: Rosslyn Park once again, and a new venue, Manchester Regional Arena. Yes, the one located on the same ground as Manchester City FC's Etihad Stadium.
Playing in front of spectators gives an added level of excitement for The Fly players, and competing at large performance venues is as close as one can get to experiencing the feeling of playing at the Olympics. Whilst not all of The Fly players we'll be seeing in 2025 will be competing at the Games, there will be many rising stars in the stands who will no doubt be the future of British Lacrosse. By giving these young players something to aspire to domestically, the possibilities for where they could go after The Fly are endless.
Whether you're a fan of the competition or not, The Fly is a stepping stone to LA 2028 and by preparing athletes from Great Britain for the Olympics as best as possible, our Nation's chances of performing well increase tremendously. Supporting Team GB in LA begins now, and one way to do this is as easy as supporting The Fly and its growth over the next four years.