Colorado Springs, CO – A highly-respected leader in international and professional lacrosse with more than 30 years of experience as a player, coach and team executive, Seals President Steve Govett is joining the Board of Directors of World Lacrosse as an Independent Director.
Govett is replacing Peter Guber, who is transitioning from the Board of Directors into an advisory role for World Lacrosse. Govett’s appointment, which begins today with a regularly scheduled meeting of the World Lacrosse Board of Directors, is for four years. The appointment was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Board.
Govett has spent the better part of three decades in the National Lacrosse League, first as a player and for the past 22 years as an executive. He has been intimately involved in international competition since the mid-90s.
“We are delighted to welcome to our Board of Directors someone with the breadth of experience and insight Steve brings, and we look forward to the many contributions we know he will make toward the continued growth of our international federation and sport,” said World Lacrosse President Sue Redfern.
“This Board seat is one of the most prestigious honors of my career,” said Govett. “World Lacrosse works to positively impact the lives of lacrosse players and their communities across the globe and has a vision to spread the game worldwide. It brings me great joy to have an opportunity to contribute to the growth of lacrosse beyond its current borders.”
Those borders have spread exponentially in recent years, with 67 member-National Governing Bodies now represented. World Lacrosse holds five World Championships: Men’s World Championship, Women’s World Championship, Men’s Under-19 World Championship (in 2021, Men’s U-20), Women’s Under-19 World Championship and Men’s Indoor World Championship.
Govett, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, first played in international competition in the 1994 Men’s World Championship, winning a bronze medal with Team Canada. Four years later, he took home a silver medal in a double overtime loss to the U.S. that’s been touted as the greatest game ever played. The Burnaby, British Columbia native then went on to general manager roles for both the U.S. and Canadian National Teams, winning multiple World titles in the process. But it’s the future that Govett says he’s most excited about.
“The recent announcements surrounding the Iroquois Nationals prove to me the power of unity, of our collective voices, and of working together constructively to make a difference in this world. As a child, I never thought I’d represent my country in international competition. I was so fortunate to have that opportunity. Now, the chance to be part of a leadership group with a vision of making lacrosse an Olympic sport is an endeavor I cherish.”
Nearly two years ago, World Lacrosse earned Provisional Recognition from the International Olympic Committee, a ‘critical step in the continued growth of the sport around the globe.’
“The world’s attention will be on the city of Los Angeles in 2028 for the Olympic Games,” continued Govett. “Our goal is for lacrosse to share in that spotlight!”
