DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College women's lacrosse head coach William Mraz will coach the Czech Republic National Team at 2021 The World Games, which will take place July 15-25, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mraz guided the squad to a fourth-place finish at the 2019 European Cup and saw four players finish in the top 10 in scoring. The team set European Cup records for most goals scored and fewest goals allowed.

"The Czech Republic women raised the level of their game in these past four years and being recognized by World Lacrosse to share the Games stage with the best of the best is a great honor," said Mraz. "I am fortunate to have been able to connect with my family's roots and work with an amazing group of women towards the goal of making us one the elite programs in the world.  We will do our very best to live up to World Lacrosse's faith in our abilities and look forward to participating in the World Game experience."

Sixteen National Teams — eight women's and eight men's — will compete in The World Games 2021, utilizing the new, 6 v 6 international disciplines and playing rules currently being finalized by World Lacrosse. The participating nations on the women's side are Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.

Qualification for The World Games 2021 was based primarily on final placement at the 2017 (women's) and 2018 (men's) World Championships organized by the Federation of International Lacrosse, now World Lacrosse. National Teams competing in The World Games 2021 will be comprised of senior-level players.

The World Games 2021 Birmingham will feature 3,600 athletes from 100-plus countries competing in 30+unique, multidisciplinary sports. The World Games was established by the International World Games Association, an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The World Games 2021 Birmingham marks the 40th anniversary, and 11th edition, of the international, multi-sport event.

Women's lacrosse made its debut in The World Games in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland, while 2021 will mark the first time men's lacrosse has been included in The World Games. The United States defeated Canada to claim top honors in the women's competition in 2017.

Contributions from Darryl Seibel, World Lacrosse