Lacrosse is one of the world's oldest team sports and has a growing Australian community, particularly for women's field lacrosse and box lacrosse. Clubs need funding for equipment, facilities, and development programmes. This guide covers the key funding sources for lacrosse in Australia.
Lacrosse Australia is the national governing body for lacrosse in Australia, affiliated with World Lacrosse.
Key disciplines:
- Women's field lacrosse
- Men's field lacrosse
- Box lacrosse (indoor)
- Soft lacrosse (schools entry-level)
Contact Lacrosse Australia and your state association for guidance on Sport Australia investment and national programme access.
State lacrosse associations affiliated with Lacrosse Australia:
- Lacrosse NSW
- Lacrosse Queensland
- Lacrosse Victoria
- WA Lacrosse
- SA Lacrosse
State associations administer competitions and club development.
Sport Australia funds lacrosse through Lacrosse Australia as part of its national sport investment framework. State sport agencies fund community lacrosse:
- NSW: Office of Sport
- Queensland: State sport agencies
- Victoria: Sport and Recreation Victoria
Women's lacrosse is a particular strength for funding given the sport's strong female participation.
Lacrosse clubs affiliated with registered venues can access gaming grants:
- NSW ClubGRANTS: Community sport development
- State gaming trusts: Equipment and programme grants
Lacrosse equipment is specialised and significant in cost, particularly for field lacrosse:
- Women's field lacrosse: Sticks, protective eyewear, gloves, balls
- Men's field lacrosse: Sticks, helmets, shoulder pads, gloves, arm pads
- Box lacrosse: Modified equipment for indoor play
- Soft lacrosse: Entry-level equipment for schools
Gaming trusts and state sport agencies fund equipment purchases for community clubs. Soft lacrosse equipment for school programmes is particularly well-regarded by funders (low cost, high participation).
Soft lacrosse (with soft sticks and balls) is ideal for primary schools:
- Department of Education sport programmes: Schools lacrosse development
- Lacrosse Australia soft lacrosse: National schools programme
- State sport agencies: Schools sport investment
Clubs that run school programmes often convert school participants to club members — this pipeline is fundable.
Women's field lacrosse is Australia's strongest discipline:
- Lacrosse Australia women's development: National programme
- Sport Australia: Women in sport participation
- State government: Women and girls sport grants
Australia's women's lacrosse team competes internationally, supporting the funding case for community women's development.
Lacrosse uses grass or turf fields:
- Local councils: Field access and maintenance — most community lacrosse is on council land
- State government: Sport facility grants for high-use venues
- Box lacrosse: Requires hardcourt or arena space
Strong lacrosse applications demonstrate:
- Participation numbers: Total players by age and gender
- Women's lacrosse: Female participation — lacrosse's strength
- Junior and schools programmes: Soft lacrosse for schools, junior club development
- Equipment needs: Justified lists by discipline and participant numbers
- Club governance: Financial health, volunteer structure
- Competition pathway: Local, state, national engagement
- Growth trajectory: Evidence of growing participation
Tahua's grants management platform helps sport organisations manage grant applications, track equipment and programme funding, and demonstrate the participation outcomes that lacrosse funders value.