The ILA has selected Scott Hiller as its Men’s Sixes head coach to prepare the program to compete at the 2026 European Sixes Lacrosse Championships (ESLC) in Spain in November.
From November 10-18, Israel Men’s Sixes Team will challenge other nations across Europe for gold in Salou, Spain. The tournament will serve as the first of its kind on the continent and double as the first stage in the qualification process for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Scott Hiller
Hiller introduces an unrivaled level of pedigree to the Israel Men’s Sixes Team. He is a long-time integral member of the Northwestern women’s lacrosse dynasty that has won eight national championships dating back to 2005, won MLL Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2005 while leading the Boston Cannons, won gold as a player at the 1994 World Lacrosse Championship with Team USA, and has coached professionally since he got his start as an assistant for Harvard men’s lacrosse in 1991.
“Scott is the consummate professional,” ILA Executive Director Ian Kadish said. “He brings a competitive vision and drive that is unmatched. He is every bit Team Israel’s best chance to not only qualify for the Olympics but win a medal in 2028.”
Hiller said that he will draw back on his extensive experience coaching to attack this challenge, but with some appropriate tweaks.
“The coaching piece pretty much remains the same,” he said. “Bringing people together to be selfless, humble, work hard, respect each other, and want to be a part of a great experience and culture. There will be more of a digital, small group element to the process. Lots of connecting with people over Zoom and texts, but the principles stay consistent.”
The ILA has been in Hiller’s periphery for years. He said that he’s had many good friends become involved and passionate about Israel Lacrosse, and he always admired the commitment they had to the cause. When one such friend, ILA board member Marc Lawrence, mentioned the opening to Hiller, it was that dedication that drove part of his decision to accept this responsibility.
“First and foremost, the shared commitment, passion, and purpose of the entire ILA organization really resonated with me as I interviewed for this unique and truly special opportunity,” Hiller explained. “Second, I couldn’t pass on potentially being part of something as life changing as the Olympics. Lastly, the discipline of Sixes is so new, and the ability to challenge myself creatively is something that really excites me.”
The project Hiller presented to the ILA search committee made the difference in winning him the position, ILA Board Chairman Dan Kraft said.
“Scott’s incredibly successful resume as a player and coach speaks for itself, but what really impressed me and the search committee was his detailed vision and plan of how our men’s team could not only qualify but medal in 2028,” he said.
All these inputs add up to Israel Lacrosse injecting a massive wealth of experience and dynamism into its campaign for the Olympics.
“I could not be more excited for the future of Israel Men’s Sixes under the vision of Scott Hiller,” Kadish said.
Israel Men’s Sixes Coaching & Support Staff
Alongside Scott Hiller in Spain will be defensive coordinator Brad MacArthur and team manager Andrew Landsman.
A fixture in Israel Lacrosse since the mid-2010s, MacArthur served as general manager and head coach of the Israel National Men’s Box Team from 2013 to 2021, overseeing a gold medal at the 2017 European Box Championship and two top-five performances at World Indoor Championships. He also was the head coach of the Israel Sixes Team at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, and was general manager of the Israel Men’s Field National Team for the 2018 World Lacrosse Championship held in Netanya, Israel.
MacArthur’s history in the game as a coach and player goes way back through the 1990s and 2000s – he was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1999 NLL Draft, won the NLL Champions Cup with the Calgary Roughnecks in 2004, and was named Canadian Lacrosse League Coach of the Year in 2015 while leading the Barrie Blizzards, with plenty in between. Since 2022, MacArthur has served as head coach of Florida Tech men’s lacrosse.
Landsman has also spent many years around Israel Lacrosse. He has played the Israel Men’s National Team, been the Israel Men’s National Team Director, and been instrumental in the coordination of countless ILA events, trips, teams, and functions. Landsman is the Director of Venue Operations for the Premier Lacrosse League and has previously managed event operations with The Kraft Group & Affiliates, including New England Patriots and New England Revolution games and many concerts and other special events.
A determination on an offensive coordinator is yet to be made.
2026 European Sixes Lacrosse Championship Impact & Information
There are two qualifiers between now and LA 2028, and it all begins in Salou.
The results of the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championship (WLSC) will directly determine which nations will compete in Los Angeles a year later, but qualification for it will rely on the results of the continental federation championships. To advance to the 2027 WLSC out of Europe, a team must place within the top five of the 2026 ESLC.
The 2026 ESLC will be played at Salou’s Mediterranean Sports Hub, located about 60 miles south along the Spanish coast from Barcelona. The complex is fit with grass and turf fields and a stadium and plays host to more than 40 tournaments per year across several sports.
Want to Play in the Olympics?
Six men’s teams will compete in the lacrosse event at the 2028 Olympic Games. One of those spots is already decided – the hosting Team USA will be in Los Angeles. Five openings remain.
With a staff in place, the ILA is now beginning to build its men’s roster for the 2026 ESLC. Tryouts for the team will be held later this year, and the invitation to compete is open to any male lacrosse player who holds a valid Israeli passport.
“I’m looking for winners!” Hiller explained. “I want a group of individuals whose sole mission is to do whatever it takes to physically, mentally, and emotionally prepare for something special. I don’t care about stats, where you come from, or where you played. I’m going to get a group of men who couldn’t care less about individual accolades and care only about doing what it takes to win an Olympic medal.”
If that sounds like you, then please complete this form to remain up to date on the process.