The country joins Bermuda, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico as the member nations in the FIL’s Central America and Caribbean region.

Former Liberty University club lacrosse teammates Nathan Lowmaster and Miguel Lozada, the founders of Puerto Rico Lacrosse (PRLAX), said they were "honoured" by the FIL’s decision to accept them into the worldwide lacrosse family.

"This is the result of many 'what if' conversations," said Lowmaster, who acts as the President of PRLAX, with Lozada assuming the role of secretary.

"And those conversations spawned endless efforts to bring the dream of Puerto Rico Lacrosse to reality."

The sport’s development in Puerto Rico is largely down to the amount of people from the nation who reside in the United States bringing lacrosse back home with them, according to Lowmaster.

Over half a million Puerto Ricans have moved to the mainland US to escape a weak economy and gain better opportunities in the past decade.

Due to the influx of Puerto Ricans all over America, there are many first, second and third generation Puerto Ricans playing lacrosse at youth, high-school, collegiate and professional level.

PRLAX claim they have received hundreds of membership requests from Puerto Ricans living in the US, representing another sign of the growth of the sport.

"Congratulations to Puerto Rico, the 56th member of the Federation of International Lacrosse," said Bob DeMarco, chair of the FIL's Development Committee.

"We are excited and looking forward to working with your talented and energetic team to help grow the game in your country.

"I think the future of lacrosse in Puerto Rico is very bright."

Tom Hayes, director of development at the FIL, added: "FIL welcomes Puerto Rico into the membership of lacrosse playing nations.

"We’re thrilled to be a part of the growth of lacrosse in Puerto Rico and the region."

The PRLAX are due to host an event in Delray Beach in Florida in the new year, aimed at continuing the development of the sport.