The sport will make its debut at the LA Games in 2028, and Fan said the next generation of players, not those representing the city at this weekend’s World Lacrosse Super Sixes, would be the one fighting to secure Hong Kong a spot.
“With our population size, finding players for the Sixes should be easier,” she said. “We only need 12 players, whereas 22 are required for the traditional 10-a-side version.
“And you need better skills to be good at the Sixes because it’s much faster both in terms of the game and decision-making, so if you’ve got good fundamental skills, you would generally be good across different versions of the sport, too.”
However, Bob Snider, men’s head coach, said the athleticism and skill of local players meant they had the qualities to be successful in both editions.
“The [lacrosse] IQ is going to come with playing at a higher level and playing more experienced teams,” the Canadian said. “I think we need to focus on just getting better at lacrosse all around, whether it’s field lacrosse, box lacrosse, or the Sixes.
“Just focusing on one doesn’t help, regardless of the format, the more experience, the more time together on the field, and the more training the better.”
The 39-year-old believed the ceiling was “very high” for his players if they could combine that with the experience of playing high-level events like the Super Sixes, which is being held in Asia for the first time.
On the pitch on Saturday, Hong Kong’s men finally broke their duck with a 12-9 win over the Philippines, but then lost 15-6 to Germany, a result that leaves them facing China for third place on Sunday.
Unbeaten sides Germany and Great Britain, both with four wins, will play in the final, while the Philippines face Japan in the fifth-place play-off.
In the women’s competition, Great Britain and Germany also reached the last four unbeaten, and will take on the Czech Republic and China respectively in the semi-finals
Hong Kong I, one of the city’s two teams, beat their compatriots 18-5 after both teams lost all of their previous group games. Hong Kong I, who lost to China 16-8 in their first Group B game on Saturday, will face the Philippines in the fifth-placed play-off, while Hong Kong II finished last of the seven teams.
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