(Photo courtesy of World Lacrosse)
On the heels of World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr's four-year contract extension that was announced Monday, another key role in the organization's run-up to the LA Olympics in 2028 was settled this week as World Lacrosse board member Bob DeMarco was elected to succeed Sue Redfern as the organization's next president at its 2024 General Assembly, which ended this week.
DeMarco beat out Jakob Grossehagenbrock from Germany and Ronald Jones from New Zealand.
“I am deeply honored by the trust and support the global lacrosse community has placed in me,” DeMarco said in a World Lacrosse release issued Saturday. “We now turn our eyes toward the future and ensuring we maximize the opportunity in front of us during one of the most pivotal periods for our sport.”
In addition to electing DeMarco, the General Assembly voted to approve World Lacrosse's 2025-28 strategic plan, minor changes to the WL Constitution and Bylaws and the 2025-26 budget, as well as reviewed the calendar of World Lacrosse international events through 2032. Most notably, the men’s U20 championship moves from 2028 to ’29. That championship will then be held on a four-year cycle in the same years as the women’s U20 championship. Finally, approved an equal cap for teams in the first men's and women's 2027 Sixes Championships, with continental qualifiers for the championships implemented following the establishment of a qualification process for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Check out all that and more in the release below.
World Lacrosse Release
Bob DeMarco elected World Lacrosse president as 2024 General Assembly concludes
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, USA – Bob DeMarco (USA) was today elected president of World Lacrosse during the organization’s 2024 General Assembly. He will succeed Sue Redfern for an initial four-year team through 2028 and becomes the fourth WL president following the 2008 merger of the men’s and women’s International Federations.
The General Assembly was held virtually with World Lacrosse board of directors and staff, along with delegates from the IF’s 92 National Federations and four Continental Federations.
Outgoing WL President Sue Redfern said: “Our general assemblies are crucial to the healthy governance and progress for our sport and World Lacrosse, and I am delighted with the engagement of our members.”
“I want to congratulate Bob on his election to the role of president – the next few years will be a thrilling and critical period as we prepare for our long-awaited return to the Olympics. I look forward to seeing Bob take on this leadership role, working with our board, staff and members all over the world as they guide the sport to success on the highest stage.”
The presidential election took place among three candidates. Joining DeMarco on the ballot were Jakob Grossehagenbrock (GER) and Ronald Jones (NZL).
DeMarco has served on the World Lacrosse board since 2017 as the director of development and has been a member of the Nominations Committee since 2021. Including his time on the Development Committee prior to his board election (2010-17), DeMarco has guided the global membership growth for World Lacrosse from 35 to 92 National Federations and contributed to the formation of the Pan-American Lacrosse Association and Africa Association of Lacrosse.
World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr said: “Congratulations to Bob on his election as president. He has a lifelong record of development work that has spread the game of lacrosse globally. Bob has been an integral part of the success of World Lacrosse as it has flourished as an International Federation, and I am excited for his leadership on the board as we continue to build on the significant progress made during Sue Redfern’s presidency.”
DeMarco also served on the WL Membership and Awards Working Groups. Prior to his WL experience, DeMarco was an educator in the sport for 38 years, including 25 years as a coach and a 19-year stint as the associate head men’s lacrosse coach at Rutgers University.
DeMarco said: “I am deeply honored by the trust and support the global lacrosse community has placed in me. I believe in advancing our mission of positively impacting the lives of our participants and furthering the global development of our sport, and by working with all stakeholders under the core values of World Lacrosse, we can continue our strategic growth.
“I would like to give a special thanks to President Sue Redfern for her outstanding service, leadership, guidance and contributions to World Lacrosse. We now turn our eyes toward the future and ensuring we maximize the opportunity in front of us during one of the most pivotal periods for our sport.”
Redfern’s tenure as president closes after seven years since her election in 2017. In that time, she led the organization through a period of unparalleled growth, development and change, including modernization of governance structures, attainment of provisional and full recognition by the IOC, and returning lacrosse to the Olympic program for LA28. She has also established several commissions, including Ethics, Diversity and Opportunity, and Women in Sport.
The General Assembly also included a report by Scherr on the state of the sport and a presentation of the 2025-28 strategic plan, which delegates voted to approve.
In addition, the GA reviewed the calendar of World Lacrosse international events through 2032, with a specific review of events in 2028. As a result, the men’s U20 championship was shifted a year later to 2029 and will then be held on a four-year cycle in the same years as the women’s U20 championship.
Delegates also approved an equal cap of 16-20 teams for both men and women at the first WL Sixes Championships, set for 2027, with continental qualifiers for the championships implemented following the establishment of a qualification process for the LA28 Olympic Games.
Finally, the GA voted to approve minor changes to the WL Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the 2025-26 budget.