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Produced and published by the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
Published July 2008
Published July 2008
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Based on a North American Indian game, lacrosse was introduced to Melbourne in 1874 by the Canadian athlete L.L. Mount. By 1907 the popularity of the sport was such that the Victorian Football League suspended a round of matches so that the Melbourne Cricket Ground could host an Australian-Canadian 'Test'. Lacrosse declined in status after World War I but received a boost during the 1930s when women began playing a non-contact version of the game, forming their own association in 1936 and establishing links with international bodies. Recent modified versions of the game have made lacrosse particularly popular among schoolchildren.