FIL is the only international sport organization to recognize First Nations at the national level; the Iroquois Nationals represent the Iroquois Confederacy that spans New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania and Quebec.
The International Lacrosse Federation was founded in 1974 to promote and develop the game of men's lacrosse throughout the world. As of 2007, the international governing bodies for men's and women's lacrosse were separate, which was one of the obstacles of lacrosse one day becoming an Olympic sport. In August 2008, the ILF and the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA) merged to become the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL).
International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations[edit]
The International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA) was formed in 1972 to promote and develop the game of women's lacrosse throughout the world. It wound up its affairs in August 2008 when it agreed to merge with the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF), the former governing body for men's lacrosse, to form the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL).
At the time of the merger, IFWLA was attempting to increase interest in women's lacrosse in South America. Promoting all levels of lacrosse included the IFWLA sponsorship of the Women's Lacrosse World Cup and the Under-19 World Lacrosse Championships, tournaments taken over by the FIL.