U18 WA Teams win 2016 National Title

Our young superstars of West Australian lacrosse showed that we will be a force to be reckoned with over the next few years with both our U18 State Teams winning the title of 2016 National Champions.

The games were held in Perth, hosted by East Fremantle Lacrosse Club.  Besides supplying excellent facilities and grounds, East Fremantle delivered an outstanding Tournament and the view of the Swan River and the first class Perth weather attibuted to the successful Championship.

After a relatively young and inexperienced team missed a berth in the 2015 Championship Final, the WA Girls had a point to prove on their home soil. They eased into the tournament slowly with a 13-8 win over touring New Zealand team, Waikato, to follow the next day with a thrilling 9-8 win over last year's winners Victoria. Defeating SA the next day 14-5, they sailed through to the Championship Final where they defeated Victoria 10-5 in a game the girls lead all day.

Game Day MVP's - Sharn Muffett, Emma Graham, Emily Wills and Dhevan Manu.

The WA Boys hit the ground running with their first game against last year's champions Victoria. Despite an early lead, Victoria scored 6 goals in the last quarter to take the first game out 13-12. An added blow was the loss of Sam Koczwara doing his ACL in the first quarter, cutting short not only his last 18's Tournament, but his position in the U19 Australian Men's Lacrosse Team.

In their second match they defeated a young New Zealand touring team 21-2 and then had a convincing win over eventual Tournament winners South Australia.  In another Tournament upset, Victoria failed to make the final and WA faced SA in the Championship Final.  Down by 1 leading into the last quarter, a 4 goal spray from WA secured their place as 2016 Champions defeating SA 10-8.

Game Day MVP's - Tom Barrett, Matt Wood, Declan Pittway and Ashby Dennis.

WA continued their success with multiple spots in the ALA All Star Teams and Wanneroo's Sharn Muffett and Declan Pittway were crowned as MVP Champions for the Tournament.

2016 ALA Boy's All Stars from WA

Goalkeeper - Ted Herbert
Defence - Ashby Dennis 
Defence - Declan Pittway 
Attack - Matt Wood 

Goalkeeper - Sharn Muffett
Defence - Dhevan Manu 
Defence - Emily Wills 
Midfield - Karri Somerville 
Midfield - Emma Graham 
Attack - Libby Blair 

 

Other articles from May 2016:

• U18 WA Teams win 2016 National Title