WA Men are 2015 National Lacrosse Champions
Wednesday June 10, 2015
by Lacrosse WA
WA Men Are 2015 National Lacrosse Champions!
The 2015 ALA Senior National Championship was held this week in Perth, with the Western Australian Senior Men being crowned National Champions for the second time in three years. Subiaco Lacrosse Club, together with Lacrosse WA, hosted a hugely successful Tournament at their home ground Rosalie Park.
The Victorian Women ended a successful week undefeated, beating South Australia in the Championship Final 18-8.
The Under 19 Women's Australian Lacrosse Team competed in the rounds as part of their campaign before they leave for the US in mid July for warm up games, before competing in the World Cup in Edinburgh, Scotland.
A New Zealand Men's Team made the huge effort of competing in the Tournament and made history beating South Australia in their Final 7-6.
The WA Senior Women's Team did not have the outcome they had hoped for, but played a courageous Tournament all week. They were put under pressure losing their first two games by only one goal which unfortunately resulted in them just missing out on the Championship Final. Head Coach Murray Gates said “We had no luck all week, but the girls fought every game out until the final whistle and their endeavour couldn’t be questioned.” There is no doubt our WA Women will come out fighting next year in Melbourne. The WA Women's game day MVP's for the week were: Tessa Atkinson, Bec Banyard, Tegan Brown and Tammie West.
This year's WA Men's Team had the most competitive trials in many years, resulting in the final Team not being named until two weeks before the Championship. Going through the rounds undefeated, Head Coach Gavin Leavy said "come Final day everyone played their role, there was some great performances by individuals, but as a whole it was a complete Team effort. It was a privilege to have coached this group of players. This group have the opportunity to be together for the next 5-6 years and continue to have the same success." The WA Men's game day MVP's for the week were: Jesse Bowland Curtis, Thomas Graham, Callum Mortimer and Lachlan Walker.
Five West Australian Men made the All Star's Team: Jesse Bowland Curtis, Thomas Graham, Lewis Blackie and first time Senior State Team Representatives Jamie Murphy and Daniel Kennedy. Gavin Leavy was named Coach and Peter Mulcahy Referee.
Jesse Bowland Curtis rounded off a successful week with not only winning a game day MVP and All Stars selection, but named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
Bec Banyard made selection into the Women's All Star Team with Kellie McBean as an Official.
Congratulations must go to Subiaco Lacrosse Club's members for their time and efforts in running a successful Championships with a special thank you to Tournament Coordinators Anna Forrest and Doug George who put in a tremendous amount of effort over the last 6 months to make sure the Tournament was the success that it was.
2015 Men's All Stars Team - WA Representatives:
Defence - Jamie Murphy
Midfield - Jessie Bowland Curtis, Thomas Graham
Attack - Lewis Blackie, Daniel Kennedy
Coach - Gavin Leavy
Referee - Peter Mulcahy
2015 Women's All Stars Team - WA Representative:
Defence - Bec Banyard
Official - Kellie McBean
2015 Men's Most Valuable Player for the Tournament:
Jesse Bowland Curtis
2015 ALA National Lacrosse Championship Results:
DAY 1
Men
VIC 15 def NZ 4
WA 20 def SA 5
Women
AUST U19 14 def WA 13
VIC 16 def SA 10
DAY 2
Men
NZ d SA 12 – 9
WA d VIC 13 – 6
Women
VIC 21 d AUST U19 8
SA 13 d WA 12
DAY 3
Men
WA 22 def NZ 3
VIC 14 def SA 3
Women
SA 18 def AUST U19 8
VIC 19 def WA 7
FINAL DAY
Men
Championship Game: WA 17 def VIC 9
NZ 7 def SA 6
Women
Championship Game: VIC 18 def SA 8
AUST U19 14 def WA 12