FIL development director, Bob Demarco, said that the news had ended a seven year fight to get the sport proper recognition in the country.

"It's been seven long years since Victor Zenteno, Chile Lacrosse founder and President, began his quest to grow the game in his native country," he said.

"Lacrosse is actively thriving at the men's, women's and youth levels. 

"It's quite a story about how perseverance and hard work plus help from many generous sources equals success."

With its acceptance, Chile becomes FIL's 14th member from the Americas. 

The first members were the United States in 1972, followed by Canada in 1974, Iroquois Confederacy in 1988, Argentina in 2002, Bermuda in 2006, Costa Rica in 2008, Mexico in 2009, Guatemala in 2010, Peru in 2012, Colombia and Jamaica in 2013 and Haiti and Puerto Rico in 2016.

Chile's journey to membership began in 2010 when Zenteno, who was completing his secondary education in Santiago with a focus on a career in athletics, was captivated by the sport of lacrosse while watching it on YouTube.

Having never played the sport himself and realising that it was virtually unknown in Chile, he reached out to lacrosse-playing Chileans living abroad as well as fellow athletes in Chile who he could begin to train with.

From those early stages, the sport continued to grow gradually as more and more men, women and youth showed up to learn and train. 

Over time, generous donations of lacrosse equipment from a number of contributors poured in.

Trent Haffler, men's head coach for Chile Lacrosse, and Vincente Aranguiz, a Chilean who plays lacrosse in Europe, are both instrumental in moving lacrosse from a curiosity to a regional sport for Chile.

Another key figure in Chile Lacrosse is Rodrigo Nakouzi. 

As one of Chile Lacrosse's greatest friends, Nakouzi continues to provide donations that are fundamental to the continued growth of lacrosse in Chile.