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Ada Li

Kevin Crowley has set his sights on helping Hong Kong’s men fulfil their Olympic lacrosse dream, saying there is “no shame in having high goals” - something he should know about given leading the team is his first experience of coaching internationally.
And the Canadian, widely considered one of the best men’s players of the modern era, is off to a good start, having guided his new charges to gold at the Asian Lacrosse Games last weekend in mainland China, despite having only met them remotely in the build-up.
Crowley acknowledged that reaching the 2028 Games in Los Angeles would be “extremely challenging” and while realistic about what lies ahead added that he “wouldn’t say it if there weren’t a small chance”.
In the short term, the 37-year-old’s immediate focus is to guide his side through a crucial Olympic qualification cycle, beginning with the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Sixes Championships in October.
Up for grabs at the tournament on Australia’s Sunshine Coast will be five places at the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships, where as many as 16 teams will battle it out for four men’s spots at the LA Games.

“We are just worried about getting better ourselves and taking the necessary steps to be as competitive as possible,” Crowley said. “It is going to fall on the players’ commitment to improving their game. I think we can do it and we’ll be disappointed if we do not reach it. But that is what we’re shooting for right now.”
Hong Kong underlined their potential by winning gold in Chengdu, when Crowley met the players in person for the first time after being appointed in March.
Despite the limited preparation time, Crowley said the players’ adaptability stood out.
“We introduced some pretty high-level concepts, and the guys were awesome, coachable,” he said. “They were very welcoming and made me feel like I’d known them for longer than that.”
“There were a few adjustments specific to China’s game and the players executed them very well. They made those changes, played hard, and that is why we were able to win the tournament.”
Crowley, the first player to have been drafted first overall in the three major professional leagues, only recently finished his professional season with the Las Vegas Desert Dogs in the National Lacrosse League.
“I wanted the next step, which was being more immersed in the coaching world,” said Crowley, who also coaches Canada’s under-15 boys team. “Our season ended in early April and I don’t know if I’m going to play again. It is not official that I am retiring, but I am not sure if I’ll be playing. I am passionate about coaching, so coaching the team Hong Kong is the chance to see the world’s best coaches at a high level.”
Having recognised the challenge that faces his Hong Kong team later this year, Crowley said playing matches at a high level was what they needed.
To address that, Hong Kong have lined up an extensive build-up, including the Heritage Cup in the United States in May, a men’s tour to Japan for friendly matches in June and a training camp in Vancouver in August.
“In places like the United States or Canada, there are so many programmes and players that competition is easy to find,” he said. “In Hong Kong, we have to travel to get that level of competition, so that is probably our biggest challenge.
“Bringing the team from Hong Kong to Vancouver will be a really awesome experience. I am going to bring in my professional friends to play them. My goal is to put the best players possible in front of them.”
During a nine-day stay in Hong Kong this week, Crowley has been assessing a wider pool of players as he shapes his squad, and competition for places is expected to intensify as he identifies new talent in the city.
“We want players who will go after loose balls and are willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “IQ is important too – can you make the right play? Some guys can shoot 100 miles an hour, but if they do not know when to shoot, that does not help us.
“I will have eyes on a whole new group of Hong Kong players, which is exciting. But there are going to be some tough decisions.”


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Lacrosse

New Hong Kong lacrosse head coach Kevin Crowley is under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead. Photo: Sam Tsang

New Hong Kong lacrosse head coach Kevin Crowley puts his players through their paces at Ma Chai Hang Recreation Ground, in Wong Tai Sin. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong men’s lacrosse head coach believes ‘future bright’ for sport after winning gold

Hong Kong men’s team beat China 12-9 in the final at the 2026 Asian Lacrosse Games. Photo: Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association

Hong Kong women’s team (white) lost to China in the final. Photo: Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association

Hong Kong’s youth teams sweep junior lacrosse titles, as event eyes 2028 Olympics

Hong Kong’s Tong Yat-yu (right) takes the ball during his side’s under-16 boys clash with Shanghai Lynx. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s Cheah Wan En (left) runs at the Mulan defence during an under-16 girls game. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Ten-year-old Madoka Shimo (third from left) poses in the rain with her Tokyo Shining Stars teammates. Photo: Stephy Zhang

Sport

Hong Kong

Canadian Kevin Crowley has been handed the reins to the city’s men’s team, and everyone will need to fight for their spot in new era


Canadian Kevin Crowley has been handed the reins to the city’s men’s team, and everyone will need to fight for their spot in new era.


Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

New Hong Kong lacrosse coach will make ‘tough decisions’ as he eyes LA Olympics dream

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Canadian Kevin Crowley has been handed the reins to the city’s men’s team, and everyone will need to fight for their spot in new era

Canadian Kevin Crowley has been handed the reins to the city’s men’s team, and everyone will need to fight for their spot in new era