About - Player Eligibility

International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) was founded in 2016 by Member Nations Canada (Canadian Lacrosse League) and United States (US Indoor Lacrosse). As an independent international organization, meaning that IIJL Championships are not affiliated or associated with World Lacrosse, the IIJL established and administers the only international box (indoor) lacrosse championships for players twenty one (21) years of age and younger. Currently, the IIJL holds four (4) championships annually; IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship, IIJL World U18 Lacrosse Championship, IIJL World U16 Lacrosse Championship, and IIJL Women's World Junior Lacrosse Championship.

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AGE 

All players must be born on or between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008 to participate at the 2025 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship. Players must be born in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, or 2008. 

DUAL/MULTIPLE PASSPORT HOLDERS 

Any player, who holds valid passports for two (2) or more (+) Nations, the player may represent either Nation, as the player may elect. However, after having represented a Nation in an IIJL event, the player may not represent another Nation unless the player meets the eligibility conditions and time limitation set out below:

CHANGE OF COUNTRY 
Any player who has represented a Nation in an IIJL event and who elects to represent a different Nation, must wait a minimum of one (1) year from the end of the event where the player last represented the former Nation. Transfer will be permitted if and when the:

• The one (1) year period has elapsed between playing for one nation and then playing for another
• IIJL agreement has been sought/given
• Eligibility criteria have been met and documentation to confirm provided
• “One (1) year” refers to an event cycle year not a calendar year. 

DOCUMENTATION CHECKS

The IIJL and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) shall have the power to call upon all Member, Participating, and Developing Nations to provide documentary evidence as needed to support the eligibility status of all players within a Nation's roster. Failure to provide satisfactory documentation may result in the Player being debarred from participating in the tournament in question and if discovered after a tournament has begun, may affect the results and standings of the Nation team. 

MEMBER NATION

A Member Nation is defined as an IIJL Member Nation organization that is in good standing and represents their Nation on the IIJL Board. The criteria for player eligibility of Member Nations of the IIJL is to be a Passport Holder of the Nation being represented, with the passport being obtained by birth, right, or naturalization. 

EXCEPTIONS
There are no circumstances where Member Nations are provided exceptions for support from players who do not meet the age or primary criterion for player eligibility. 

PARTICIPATING NATION 

A Participating Nation is defined as a non-IIJL Member Nation organization that is participating at an IIJL event with an active domestic box lacrosse league dedicated to the development of junior aged players. The primary criterion for player eligibility of Participating Nations at IIJL events is to be a Passport Holder of the Nation being represented, with the passport being obtained by birth, right, or naturalization.

EXCEPTIONS
In circumstances where Participating Nations need support from players who do not meet the age or primary criterion for player eligibility the following exception will apply.

1. NON-PASSPORT HOLDERS
   Any player wishing to qualify for a Participating Nation as a Non-Passport Holder for one (1) of the four (4) available exception positions, must meet at least one (1) of the eligibility requirements below:
   • PARENTS - A birth parent, adoptive parent/guardian, or step-parent born in the Nation 
   • GRANDPARENTS - A birth or adoptive grandparent(s) born in the Nation; step-grandparent(s) are not acceptable 
2. OVERAGE PLAYERS
   Any player wishing to qualify for a Participating Nation as an Overage Player for one (1) of the four (4) available exception positions, must meet both (2) of the eligibility requirements below:
   • YEAR OF BIRTH - Player must be born on or between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 
   • PASSPORT HOLDER - Player must be a Passport Holder of the Participating Nation 

DEVELOPING NATION 

A Developing Nation is defined as a non-IIJL Member Nation organization that is participating at an IIJL event and does not have an active domestic box lacrosse league dedicated to the development of junior aged players. The primary criterion for player eligibility of Developing Nations at IIJL events is to be a Passport Holder of the country being represented, with the passport being obtained by birth, right, or naturalization.

EXCEPTIONS
In circumstances where Developing Nations need support from players who do not meet the age or primary criterion for player eligibility the following exception will apply. 

1. NON-PASSPORT HOLDERS
   Any player wishing to qualify for a Developing Nation as a Non-Passport Holder position must meet at least one (1) of the eligibility requirements below: 
   • PARENTS - A birth parent, adoptive parent/guardian, or step-parent born in the Nation 
   • GRANDPARENTS - A birth or adoptive grandparent(s) born in the Nation; step-grandparent(s) are not acceptable 
   • MARRIAGE - Partner/Spouse being a Passport Holder of the Nation, with the qualification that the partner/spouse must be resident in the Nation being represented. In the event of death of the partner/spouse this would not prevent the player from qualifying by these criteria. Divorce from the partner/spouse would disqualify the player from qualifying by these criteria. This criterion relates to accepted marriage in the context of a civil or religious ceremony. “Common–Law “ situations and/or partnerships without such formal supporting documentation will not be accepted 
   • RESIDENCE - Minimum of a two-year residency period in the playing Nation within the last five (5) years. This does not necessarily have to be a continuous period but a cumulative total period of two (2) years over the previous five (5) years. For clarity the five (5) year time period is that immediately preceding the championship for which eligibility is being sought. 
   • EDUCATION - Minimum of a full curriculum/course period in playing Nation within the last two (2) years. This does not necessarily have to be a full calendar year but a cumulative total period of a full curriculum/course load over the previous two (2) years. For clarity the two (2) year time period is that immediately preceding the championship for which eligibility is being sought. 
2. OVERAGE PLAYERS
   Any player wishing to qualify for a Developing Nation as an Overage Player must meet both (2) of the eligibility requirements below:
   • YEAR OF BIRTH - Player must be born on or between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003 
   • PASSPORT HOLDER - Player must be a Passport Holder of the Developing Nation 
3. DISPENSATION 
   In circumstances where a player does not meet the Non-Passport Holders or Overage Players criterion for player exceptions Developing Nations must apply to the IIJL for a player dispensation on a case-by-case basis. At no time can a Developing Nation's roster consist of more than four (4) players using dispensations to compete for the Developing Nation at any given IIJL championship.