Guildford will host the 10th Women’s Lacrosse World Cup in 2017. The event will take place at the Surrey Sports Park. Thirty nations are expected to compete.

The University of Surrey, Guildford, will house all tournament participants while Surrey Sports Park will provide the competition pitches and other facilities. Surrey Sports Park has hosted several major sporting events in the past, including the ‘Game On 2011’ British Basketball Invitational Tournament, the English Junior Squash Championship, BUCS Conference Cup Finals, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 and the Surrey School Games. Most recently they served as the site for the 2012 Home International Lacrosse weekend.

Stan Cockerton, FIL (Federation of International Lacrosse) President, acknowledged the hard work that the ELA has already undertaken to secure the bid, ‘I extend my congratulations to England and look forward to the event, which I am confident will maintain the high standard previously set by the ELA.”

Chair of the English Lacrosse Board,Sue Redfern, said: ‘We are honoured and delighted to be the 2017 Women’s World Cup hosts. English Lacrosse has worked hard to grow the sport domestically and our international squads have represented us excellently abroad.

Anne Milton signing the St George’s flag to show support for the bid in May

“In addition, we know that hosting a World Cup will help lacrosse’s continued growth but will also make a valuable economic contribution, if Manchester 2010’s success is anything to go by, we can look forward to generating over £5 million for the country”

Anne Milton MP for Guildford said: “The English Lacrosse Association had a very strong bid for the Women’s World Cup, so a huge well done on this great achievement. I am pleased to have supported them and look forward to hosting other lacrosse nations in 2017. This is fantastic news!”