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Tess v Canada Aussie lax women
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W. Australia Women Prep For 2013 Lacrosse World Games

Editor’s Note: Shendelle Oliver wrote up a great article on the five women from her state, Western Australia, that have made the cut for the Australian National Lacrosse team. Learn a little bit more about these amazingly talented and tough lacrosse playing ladies. Many also have strong US college ties!

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Five Western Australia women are still in the Australian National Women’s Lacrosse team that will be competing at the FIL World Cup in Canada in July of 2013. Preparation, skill, and hard work have paid off for the players, as they have attended 3 national camps, as well as some state-based camps, and have continued to prove why they are the best lacrosse players WA has to offer.

Forbes Splatt women's lacrosse australia western victoria
Sarah Forbes drives to the net in State League competition.

The five Western Australian Players are:

Tegan Brown – age 26, from Victoria Park – Phoenix Lacrosse Club/Syracuse University
Rebecca Banyard – age 23, from Floreat – Wembley Lacrosse Club/University of Vermont
Sarah Forbes – age 36, from Dunsborough – Wembley Lacrosse Club and a former All American at the University of Maryland
Elizabeth Hincks – age 20, from Leederville – Wembley Lacrosse Club
Tessa Atkinson age 18, from Churchlands – East Fremantle Lacrosse Club

Brown and Atkinson grew up in, and were originally playing for, the Wembley Club but have moved clubs to increase the competitiveness of the State League Competition in WA.

Tess v Canada Aussie lax women
Tess Atkinson vs. Canada

Eleven girls from WA were originally in the squad of 67 nationally, when the squad was selected back in January 2012. The current squad consists of 35 players, and all hail from Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

In early June the Australian Squad competed in the Down Under Cup, which is a 4 day tournament played in Melbourne. The two Australian squad teams competed allowing all squad members equal game time to prove their ability. Australia finished first and second respectively in this tournament.

Hincks (goalie), Banyard and Forbes against Carthage.

Other teams that competed in the Down Under travelled from all over the globe were Kansai University from Japan, the New Zealand National Squad (who like Australia had two teams in competing in the tournament), USA -Athletes International, Carthage College from the USA, as well as the Under 18 Victorian team, giving them a great opportunity for development.

australia new zealand lacrosse
Australia Vs. New Zealand, an improving rivalry!

Previous Australian Team Captain and World Cup Gold Medallist Sarah Forbes said, “The Down Under Cup was an excellent opportunity for Australian squad members to play with and against each other. The competition was fierce and when Australia played Australia in the gold medal game it showed the quality and depth of talent we have. The squad is stronger than ever which is really exciting looking ahead to the world cup next year.”

Forbes, Brown and Banyard all earned scholarships to Division 1 Colleges in the USA, allowing them to play lacrosse at the second highest level, after competing in previous World Championships. Perhaps Hincks and Atkinson could be next.  The have already represented Australia once, as they both played in the 2011 Under-19 World Championships, which were held in Germany.

For more information about Lacrosse in Western Australia visit www.lacrossewa.com.au, or check out the LaxAllStars Western Australia tag!