Do You Think Australia will Ever Win a World Cup?

[laxlegend]

I was just wondering if, and if so how much hope we have of winning a world cup...ever

[sammyduelist]

well, you never kno...

[goalielegend]

i recon aussie will one day have a chance

[horney4lax]

2010 mark my words

[lacrosselover]

no reason why it cant be done next year...everyone holds these yanks in such high regard, I think generally they are over-rated...and that the aussies can match them with pure tenacity..

[GarysGod]

lets stop the jokes

[lacrosselover]

man, you canadians....you seem to think that ur better than everyone else...

we have beaten you plenty of times, and in 2002 we were beating you by 6 goals...and this aus team is much better than that one....

[cannon]

nm

it will be very tough but hey, the girls did it.

[endoftheline]

australia is eventually going to win. We are top of the world in so many other sports and as more people play lacrosse and Lacrosse is introduced at the AIS we will win. Maybe in 2014 2018 we'll finish top 2 and win in 2022 2026. This of course depends on individual teams so its hard to say.

[spenny]

already been done:
http://www.lacrosse.org/worldcup/recaps/july2.phtml

now its up to the lads to match what the ladies have done

[tomahawks11]

i dont know much about lacrosse in australia..... but eventually u guys will win one

[GBaschski]

ABSOLUTELY Australia will win sooner or later, I have no doubt in that. Three or Four cups from now, you guys will have a shot.

But the real question is...who beats the US first? Canada or Australia?

[aussielax]

Yeah i think we will, Eventualy, I think in a few(a few being a fair few) years time international lax will be way more interesting. I also think countries like Japan and Germany becoming powerhouse nation's.

[cannon]

Lax in japan only started in 86. Their growth is astounding.

[endoftheline]

Really thats amazing and dont take this the wrong way but you wouldn't think lacrosse would be so sucessful in asian countries because lots of asians aren't very physical or rugh guys. Still impressive.

[UKLaxFan]

Cannon,

Forever is a long time, but unfortunately I don't see the Aussie men's team winning the World Cup anytime soon. They would need a group of exceptional Men's players equivalent to Jen Adams, Sonia Judd etc who have played the NCAA games and dominated in the States.

That could happen but it's a numbers games and the US along with Canada will dominate that for some time.

The best chance you had was in 2002 on home turf with the MLL not allowing most players to play in Perth. Losing to Canada in the semi-final 15-14 was close but no cigar. It would have been good to see an Australia v USA Final, the home crowd would have turned up on mass and made things difficult, and the players would definitley been up for it but it wasn't to be.

If that situation ever occurs again then take your chance.

Canada nearly beat USA in 2002 they got back to 17-16 and were man-up for remaining 2 mins because of Mike Powell's illegal stick, but John Tavares who scored the 16th was also called for 3min penalty for illegal stick. The goal was removed and USA clinched the game with another Doug Shanahan goal 18-15 Final.

I still can't believe JT used an illegal stick after Canada had caught Mike Powell out with one, as if USA weren't going to ask for a stick check if Canada scored... didn't he have a legal one with him :banghead:

[horney4lax]

Mate dont under-estimate us, that just give us more of a reason to kick your as*

[UKLaxFan]

Mate dont under-estimate us, that just give us more of a reason to kick your as* Don't get me wrong I'd love to see Australia win the whole shooting match, or anyone apart from USA, just to rock the boat. It would be good for the game if a team turned the US over.

Nobody gave a Monkey's about the Ryder Cup when USA won it every time but as soon as Europe won, it became a World Event.

The America's Cup was a non event until Alan Bond and the Aussies literally rocked the boat (hull) and beat the USA, now it's gets Global coverage and people watch it who have never been sailing in their lives.

Lax World Cup isn't that big obviously, but you can bet the next Women's event will be big in the US and their team will be special after losing in 2005. They have a habit of coming back after defeat, bigger & stronger than before.

"Waking a Sleeping Giant.." and all that.

[#15Roadies]

Oz will never win the World Cup. Ever. The way lacrosse is taking off in the States and Canada and the way the field coaching is improving in Canada, it would be a few more centuries before OZ can even catch up. Maybe they can win a Rest-of-the-World Cup, but not the real deal so long as the Yanks & Canucks are around.

So hoist a Fosters and shimmy back into that purple, perpetual bridesmaid gown! :grin:

[haRy]

it seems like anyone from Canada thinks we cant win a world cup. Its probly because we almost beat them :grin:. but seriously i think we would win a world cup

[#15Roadies]

Lol haRy! I stand corrected: Oz will one day almost win the World Cup! :chuckle:

[cannon]

UK is right,

It's a numbers game. While the disparity in numbers between the US and Aus is probably similar in the men's and women's game. And unless something is done quickly in Australia we are going to start going backwards in numbers while everyone else leaps forward.

In 2002 the American's sent what was really about a 6th String team. Can you imagine we sent our 6th best? I shudder at the thought. Yet the US still smacked US. Whereas in 1998 they had their number 1 team that is basically the same in standard as the 2006 team and we only lost by 3 to the US.

My point being: We need to be well coached as well as having the fittest guys (which i think we do well), strongest guys and a team that is willing to work together.

My abiding hope is that they dont miss the forest for the trees. That they concentrate on beating a determined(and NCAA'd) English team, an insanely fast Japanese team, the Iroqouis and then think about beating the US and Canada. That said, I hope they dont beat the US or Canada in the round robin matches because they wll come out and adjust play with vengeance.

[Warriors26]

So hoist a Fosters ......

Who drinks fosters its a [no cursing] export beer

[Doski]

Really thats amazing and dont take this the wrong way but you wouldn't think lacrosse would be so sucessful in asian countries because lots of asians aren't very physical or rugh guys. Still impressive.

a lot of white guys aren't physical or rough either, not tryin to stirr the pot though, just gotta rep the asians out there playing lacrosse. sticking to the theme of stereotypes, I think the japs are renowned for their tenacity, hard work and discipline, their national sport is wrestling (sumo style) so i'm sure roughing it up aint a problem either

[Doski]

oh btw, sticking to the topic. yes australia can win, sport's about who plays better on the day. refer to bradbury moment ahahaha

[SenatorLaX30]

the aussies arent that awesome compared to the U.S. but one they will win but not any time soon or in my life time.

[aussielax]

Really thats amazing and dont take this the wrong way but you wouldn't think lacrosse would be so sucessful in asian countries because lots of asians aren't very physical or rugh guys. Still impressive.

No rough, Dude common, Look at how popular any sort of martial art's realated sports are in asian countries.

[cannon]

if you've ever been in a fight in Box Hill you'd know asians can be rough as.

but generally the japanese sides ive played against have been easy to push off the ball
but they are getting bigger and stronger every games i think

[PilotShinjiIkar]

Really thats amazing and dont take this the wrong way but you wouldn't think lacrosse would be so sucessful in asian countries because lots of asians aren't very physical or rugh guys. Still impressive.

Well thats because your stereotyping us. I'm Chinese and i'm 5'11 180 and play defense. But yes Japan's growth is simply amazing and astounding.

[#15Roadies]

Eh, I think Japan or the Iroquois will win the World Cup before Oz will. In fact, I think the Iroquois will end up beating OZ in 2006 and finish third.

[lacrosselover]

#15 Roadies, you have some seriously warped views....Fosters? Man, shows how much you know about Australia, let alone the standard of lacrosse in Aus...

There are so many kids in Australia who are good enough to play and division lacrosse at school in the States its just extremely difficult and expensive to do so..not to mention th elack of exposure to US coaches...

[#15Roadies]

lacrosselover - just havin sport with ya mate - even down to the fawsters crack. I had a high school buddy who eventually married an Ozzie and moved down under, so I have had some exposure to your culture!

:bartmoon: The rest I get from that Simpsons episode, you know the Big Boot episode? BTW - how are the bullfrogs making out down there these days?

JUST KIDDING!!!

I know there are some very good Oz laxers, definately some D1 material, but on the whole, there isn't that calibre of competition in Oz, whereas in the States and Canada (growing) there is access to that level of competition. If Oz had regular exposure to high levels of competition, the overall player pool with exposure (i.e. knowledge of what it takes to win) would grow like Canada's is now.

If you look at the history of the sport in the US, you can see how one or two teams got really good and that brought up the entire playing level of collegiate lacrosse in a matter of a few decades. The Russians did the same thing with hockey (albeit supported and funded by the state) and look at them now. Well, don't look at them now (they suck), but look at them 30 years ago and you'll see what I mean.

So...if I were prez of the Oz lacrosse association, I would get a team of ringers (including coaches) to play together and kick the crap out of all the other teams. Eventually the competition will even out and bring the skill level of the player pool up to a standard that is compatible with Canada & the States. (i.e. can beat them on a good day)

Can you see this happening in Oz now?

[bluedevil49]

Can't see that situation happening anytime soon. Agreed, that situation (as unlikely as it is) would lift the game of lacrosse in Australia as a whole, but to be honest, what it takes to win a world championship is the best 23 being able to play as well (actually just a bit better) than the best 23 of the other countries.
Are our best 23 capable of doing that? Yes.
Will they? Answer is in July

[laxgod1790]

I think that it will happen eventually. I mean they are one of the better teams behind the obvious ones of the US and Canada

[Doski]

#15 roadies has a point, it all starts at the ground roots level (of course), the strength of individual club teams will fast-track any rep team. if u have a 'superpower' club team, that'll raise the bar for all the other clubs

[Minotaur]

It's an interesting question because it addresses the inherent nature and culture that makes up the Australian club lacrosse community. The question itself I would answer in 2 parts. My first answer would be, yes, I think Australia will eventually win a world cup. When they win it I think is a secondary issue to how they will win it. If Australian lacrosse continues along the path it is currently on, then it will be more of a question of getting the right mix of players(as the women's championship team proved) with athletic ability and experience....almost hit and miss for coaches who are not adept at social engineering and group dynamics. Sure, one of these years the national coaches might get the right mix and experience to bring that cup down under....but consistancy is an altogether another issue.

Coaching and a system of teaching this sport to juniors is the foundation that the US has developed over decades. I was raised in the US high school system and played my NCAA ball on a nationally ranked Divi III team. I have also coached in Australia for the past 10-years, and have been able to deconstruct both systems.

My overall assessment is that coaching has an immense influence on future, mature players. My first 5-years of coaching in Australia was frustrating to say the least, as the support from clubs was of a more moral than physical nature. Coaching a team you learned to be independent and resourceful....just getting the club to supply enough balls for training was a problem. Playing in the NCAA you took for granted that your head coach would have 2 to 3 former All Americans as grad assistants, plus 2 trainers to tape everyones ankles before training, and a plane to fly you south for your games. I was spoiled. But I digress....

The system of coaching and mentoring coaches in Australia is very haphazard. Just getting players to coach is like pulling teeth...I have learned that this is a country of players, not spectators. Which is great for fighting a national epidemic of obesity. But it doesn't help in the development of juniors, and ultimately the quality of senior lacrosse. Some clubs have maintained quality in coaching and quantity in numbers. Williamstown year in and year out proves that they have a captured lacrosse community, as they definitely have the numbers and coaching. Surrey Park this year impressed me with an outstanding Under 13 side that looked like they could have demolished half of the under 15 sides, just by their skill. (They have been coached by another Yank for years, and it shows). Surrey is a club that had profound junior recruiting problems approximately 7 years ago, but have doubled their membership in that time and this past season captured 3 junior Grand finals. Footscray and MCC have also made impressive inroads in both numbers and coaching quality. Some clubs that were once strong are now just barely limping down the recruiting path, such as Eltham and Camberwell. Eltham has reaped the benefits of their recruiting in the late 1990s with a strong state league team, but are struggling with 13'snd 11's. Camberwell's 13's are none existant.

As for Coaching quality, there remains a wide gap between clubs and also within clubs. What is taught by one coach in one level, may not be taught, built upon, or reinforced in the next level. Some coaching I have witnessed in recent years has actually been detrimental to the players being coached. One example is Caulfield's current under 17's. I was able to watch them as under 13s and under 15s with the same coach. They were obviously coached to physically intimidate their opponents, and to get the ball to 1 or 2 other more skilled players, who almost never passed the ball once they received it. They went through most of their season undefeated, but lost both their under 13 and under 15 finals. In both under 15 finals against Footscray and Surrey they spit the dummy and started game stopping brawls. This comes from the coaching, or lack there of.

My point is, until there is a uniform system of coaching and recruiting, then lacrosse in Australia will remain a fringe sport. Sure, we produce some exciting and talented players here, but they are INDIVIDUALS. We need to produce some talented TEAMS with highly skilled coaches that are both professional in their approach, and are able to teach other coaches. I know their are other issues tied up in this, but I think it has a direct relationship to the question of Australian lacrosse and the talent we produce to compete on the world stage.

I have put this on the forum to promote discussion. I think we need to ask ourselves WHY and HOW we will win a world cup, and keep it here!

[lacrosselover]

I think that everyone assumes that the USA way is the right way..

I think Australian teams in most sports have shown that we dont have to do it like the others and have proven extremely successfull....

I think Australain lacrosse needs some extremely 'visionary' administrators to push the sport forward, and perhaps some people with good connections that can secure funding from the Australian Sports Commission...

[Minotaur]

I don't think Australia can "do it the American way" either, especially with a financially strapped state educational system. State and national lacrosse bodies must, I think, create hegomony with a uniform systemic approach to educating coaches and recruiting. As it stands, each club if a principality of its own...a kind of lacrosse fuedal system. What goes on in one club does not neccessarily go on in another. And parents in Australia have consequently become consumers of their children's sporting activities. They shop around to find the best coached/administrated club. It's no longer about playing for and supporting your local club.

[Minotaur]

I don't think Australia can "do it the American way" either, especially with a financially strapped state educational system. State and national lacrosse bodies must, I think, create hegomony with a uniform systemic approach to educating coaches and recruiting. As it stands, each club if a principality of its own...a kind of lacrosse fuedal system. What goes on in one club does not neccessarily go on in another. And parents in Australia have consequently become consumers of their children's sporting activities. They shop around to find the best coached/administrated club. It's no longer about playing for and supporting your local club.
Sorry, fellas, the word is "homogeny".....typing a bit too fast without editing. Literal Meaning is "correspondence between organs or parts"

[cannon]

Re: Funding from the ASC. We will not get it until the mens and womens administration come together on a state and national level. Victoria is likely to move to amalgamate LV and the WLV in the coming years.

I think Lacrosse SA is both mens and womens. I no idea about west.

Also though we are a long way off Olympic numbers it on the agenda to merge the ILF and the IFWLA to make the Olympics a possibility.

[AusD]

COME ON AUSSIE we will win someday just you wait

[lightningmvp]

australia will always be an underdog when it comes to world cups so its a matter of time till we win one

[#15Roadies]

"We need to produce some talented TEAMS"

That is the bottom line. You can put 23 highly talented individuals on the field and lose quite easily.

I am getting the impression that athletics in Oz is set up more lik Canada than the States - you know, with private clubs and club leagues instead of athletics centred around schools. If that is the case, you cannot do it the American way through the education system, but this does not preclude a consistent national coaching & recruitment program.

How many lacrosse players in Australia total?

[lacrosselover]

3,000 players approx

[cannon]

Hey Roadies,

You are correct in thinking that our sporting structure is more Canadien/British. Clubs form in regional locales and even most pro teams are spawned out of amatuer clubs rather than being business franchises to be bought and sold at the whim of a bottom line or a boardroom. While there are varying levels of school sport, on the whole school sport runs a distant second to club sports.

So no we cant 'do it the American way', but nor do we have too!

And yes lacrosselover is right. Around 3,000 players give or take a couple of hundred.

[endoftheline]

One example is Caulfield's current under 17's. I was able to watch them as under 13s and under 15s with the same coach. They were obviously coached to physically intimidate their opponents, and to get the ball to 1 or 2 other more skilled players, who almost never passed the ball once they received it. They went through most of their season undefeated, but lost both their under 13 and under 15 finals. In both under 15 finals against Footscray and Surrey they spit the dummy and started game stopping brawls. This comes from the coaching, or lack there of.


The brawl against surrey was mainly due 2 two players being idiots I dont think that they were coached to do that.

[#15Roadies]

The US has about 200,000 players, Canada about 120,000.

In my metropolitan area alone (in Ontario) of a population of 350,000 there are four club minor associations with about 3500 kids playing, not to mention the various mens clubs, maybe another 1000 or so. Mind you, box is the preferred form of lacrosse, but most kids are exposed to field nowadays, esp. through the high school and it is starting to grow at a very good rate. Kids love field lacrosse when they get a chance to play it.

I think the Iroquois communities have more than 3000 kids playing lacrosse, but mostly box. They too are coming back to the field game and that is good to see.

Anyhow...

The chances of finding the most powerful mix of players in such a large pool is much greater for the US & Canada than any other country. Not to mention the fact that such exposure to those numbers & higher levels of play increases the knowledge, experience & strategic know-how of the coaches.

Lacrosse isn't the type of stand-still sport where there is a certain level to be reached until you win. That is, it is constantly under innovation and most of that innovation comes from the US. I think Australia has to find innovative approaches to playing the game whether that is equipment, athletic approach or strategy. With a smaller playing pool, you have to find the 'edge' to be able to win. So no, Oz can't nor shouldn't approach the game in the same way as the US (or even Canada).

You can have all the great athletes and one or two really good players all you want. But it has to go beyond that thinking IMHO.

For instance, is lacrosse expensive to play in Oz relative to other sports?

ps - when you say 3000 are playing, does that include women too?

[IRISHLAX30]

no one will ever beat the USA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

[goalieskcickay]

Sorry, fellas, the word is "homogeny".....typing a bit too fast without editing. Literal Meaning is "correspondence between organs or parts"

You can always edit your original post, the edit button is in the bottom right hand corner of your post.

[endoftheline]

For instance, is lacrosse expensive to play in Oz relative to other sports?



Yes in Melbourne theres just 2 lacrosse shops and in perth and adelaide i think there is only one each so its basically just 4 shops in Australia. This means they can charge basically whatever they want. It probably costs about 400-600 dollars (aus) to get setup and this must discourage a lot of people from playing.

[bluedevil49]

Then about club fee's are about $250 a year to play.

[horney4lax]

$400 - $600aus is for a very very basic start up kit, you would actually struggle to get all the gear with that kind of money, but for the more advanced your looking at around $1000 - $1500aus for semi-top of the range gear

[#15Roadies]

OK, how about ice hockey shops? Is it cheaper to play ice hockey than lacrosse? How about numbers for ice hockey in Australia?

[Doski]

ice hockey is even more dismal than lax if ur talking numbers...

[bluedevil49]

though inline hockey numbers are starting to grow

[thunder_15]

i would say there are more ice hockey player in australia then lacrosse player. well in wa atleast.

[HRLAXER]

hey that was a racist generalization against asians. have you personally question and tested every asian to see their toughness? and are you saying that asians are all short and weak? i take great offense to that and i wish that you get things straight before posting such a racial post.

[wittyno12]

OK, how about ice hockey shops? Is it cheaper to play ice hockey than lacrosse? How about numbers for ice hockey in Australia?


In South Australia the numbers of ice hockey and inline hockey combined would be about the same as lacrosse. There is only one place i know of that sells ice hockey gear here and only one place it is played ( called the snow dome i think) the reason ice hockey is not very big here is because of lack of facilities and gear, still has a fair bit of exposure from NHL playstation games etc unlike lacrosse.

[endoftheline]

hey that was a racist generalization against asians. have you personally question and tested every asian to see their toughness? and are you saying that asians are all short and weak? i take great offense to that and i wish that you get things straight before posting such a racial post.
I obviously know that some asians are into rough sports and thats fine but if you look at the two most popular sports in Japan, soccer and baseball and in most of the rest of Asia soccer and basketball its reasonable to say that contact sports are not as popular as non-contact sports in Asia. In the countries where lacrosse is most popular America, Canada and Australia contact sports such as ice-hockey, Gridiron/American Football and Australian rules are all very popular. Thats why i think it is unexpected that lacrosse is so popular in Japan.
I wasn't trying to be rascist and im sorry I offended you but all I was trying to say is that im both impressed and suprised at the growth of lacrosse in Japan. I also know asians are not short and weak theres a Chinese guy who plays longpole on my team and hes taller and stronger than me.

[thunder_15]

Yes in Melbourne theres just 2 lacrosse shops and in perth and adelaide i think there is only one each so its basically just 4 shops in Australia. This means they can charge basically whatever they want. It probably costs about 400-600 dollars (aus) to get setup and this must discourage a lot of people from playing.
no store in perth. i wish there was :sad:

[pumba]

Lax in japan only started in 86. Their growth is astounding.

Still not good enough for the good old eltham boys!

[endoftheline]

no store in perth. i wish there was :sad:
i thought perth had riddell lacrosse. They had a stall at tournament so i assumed they were west australian.

[cannon]

pumba,

there is more to lax than eltham. we all love our clubs, but dude, at least explin what you mean..

[pumba]

We played japan buddy and beat them was a good game i think they tired them self out with their warm up went for so long!

[endoftheline]

we played japan buddy and we beat them. IT was a good game. I think they tired themselves out with their warm up. IT went for so long!

I think what cannon is trying to say that your posts make no sense.

[laxlegend]

Wow! this has turned out to be a very large and, in some cases, deep-thinking thread. I was surprised about how much people had to say about this.

First of all, I definitely think that Australia will win. And it will be sooner rather than later. In general sport, take as an example, the last Olympics. While America won in the overall gold medal tally, they only brought home about 1 gold medal for every 3 million people, whereas Australia had 3 for every million. We are, in my view, the greatest sporting Nation in the world, and not because we so it "the American way" but because we have our own point of view about sport, judging by our domination of plenty of other sports throughout the past 100 years.

I do, however, know that Australia could benefiyt enormously from American coaching methods. Take, for example, the Victorian U/13 Surrye park team (for all those people who know what Surrey Park is). I have played against them myself, and I am easily up to the standard of most of their players, but their secret was their American coach, and, therefore, their use of the much older and more refined American and Canadian style of play. Thier style of play, as a team bore uncanny resemblance to MLL games I've seen on TV, and that's why they walloped every other team they played by at least 18 pionts.

All in all, I think that if Australia develops one amazing, Gary Gait standard player, who does MLL or something and becomes a legend, then comes back and coaches even only one club, that club will start squashing others, and therefore starting the chain reaction mentioned in previous posts, where once one club becomes awesome, and all the other clubs will copy off their better, American style, which will result in all Australian clubs improving, and therefore coming up to the standard of American clubs, meaning that, with a little help from the NCAA, we can eventually develop a force to be reckoned with, even by America's top MLL players, and thus develop consistency with our ability to beat America and win a world cup.

[laxlegend]

oops. I sent the message twice so this is what i wrote after i deleted it.

[Minotaur]

Wow! this has turned out to be a very large and, in some cases, deep-thinking thread. I was surprised about how much people had to say about this.

First of all, I definitely think that Australia will win. And it will be sooner rather than later. In general sport, take as an example, the last Olympics. While America won in the overall gold medal tally, they only brought home about 1 gold medal for every 3 million people, whereas Australia had 3 for every million. We are, in my view, the greatest sporting Nation in the world, and not because we so it "the American way" but because we have our own point of view about sport, judging by our domination of plenty of other sports throughout the past 100 years.

I do, however, know that Australia could benefiyt enormously from American coaching methods. Take, for example, the Victorian U/13 Surrye park team (for all those people who know what Surrey Park is). I have played against them myself, and I am easily up to the standard of most of their players, but their secret was their American coach, and, therefore, their use of the much older and more refined American and Canadian style of play. Thier style of play, as a team bore uncanny resemblance to MLL games I've seen on TV, and that's why they walloped every other team they played by at least 18 pionts.

All in all, I think that if Australia develops one amazing, Gary Gait standard player, who does MLL or something and becomes a legend, then comes back and coaches even only one club, that club will start squashing others, and therefore starting the chain reaction mentioned in previous posts, where once one club becomes awesome, and all the other clubs will copy off their better, American style, which will result in all Australian clubs improving, and therefore coming up to the standard of American clubs, meaning that, with a little help from the NCAA, we can eventually develop a force to be reckoned with, even by America's top MLL players, and thus develop consistency with our ability to beat America and win a world cup.
The Surrey Park 2006 Under 13 side was a very unique team to watch, as they had very strong players at every position, and 3 obvious guns(Henry Kumar, Griffin Jenney, and Jarryd Purdie) that were heads above skillwise than other players I witnessed from other clubs in that competition. Yes, they have been coached by Griffin Jenney's father for some years now(I understand he started on attack at Ithaca College in the early 1980's & has also coached high school in the US), and have greatly benefited from a run & gun philosophy of play. But you also need the skilled players to run that type of game. Those type of teams with that particular combo of athletic ability, lacrosse skill, and good coaching only come around every so often. They were definitley one of the highlights of the 2006 season. Since the age groups are changing next year to even numbers, ie. under 12's, 14's, 16's, etc. that Surrey Park team has another year together. I also heard that half that team are first year under 13 players....great stuff.

[Doski]

boy they're really something to be reckoned with in the coming years if the unit can stay together, maybe they can win the world cup for aus.....or a world club championship (if one exists in the future!)

[WHEELAX2]

well, as long as they're still playing at the NCAA level and taking spots in the MLL that cough cough belong to me (absolutely kidding of course), there's a chance.. i don't think it's an individual talent issue, I think the issue lies in coaching and putting a complete squad together. and experience of course..

[Minotaur]

Speaking of Aussies playing Division 1 NCAA lacrosse....Rob LeGuen - younger brother of Nick LeGuen(capt. Under 19 Aussie side) has made the Towson State University 2006 roster. I think he played his club ball at Surrey Park - Melbourne.

[shooter]

Yes oneday.

Australians first of all are natural sportsmen/women.

We have already performed well with so few players, and such an amatuer organisation of the game.
Now Lacrosse Australia has started up the ALL, we have the Talent Identification Program, new junior nationals formats, and plenty more initiatives. All of this has been done to make us as competitive as possible.
Look at what we have acheived with a half-ar$ed appraoch, now we are getting serious things will get much better.

[pumba]

how can we get in2 tip?

[shooter]

how can we get in2 tip?

Scouted at a national championship I think is the only way, I got my letter a few months after Adelaide '03.
They might scout at club matches, i dont know.

[endoftheline]

yeh they send you letters after national competitions

[lacrosselover]

who sends letters and what for? im lost

[cannon]

Speaking of Aussies playing Division 1 NCAA lacrosse....Rob LeGuen - younger brother of Nick LeGuen(capt. Under 19 Aussie side) has made the Towson State University 2006 roster. I think he played his club ball at Surrey Park - Melbourne.

not to mention: Lee Davis at Robert Morris,
Cam Adams at Bellarmine
and the potential for:
Ardossi to Maryland in 06
Sear to Maryland in 07
and other Aussies who have played D1:
Robin Cornish- U North Carolina early 90's
Purdie-Adelphi (when Adelphi was D1)90's
Nathan Roost- Hobart 90's
Gareth Allen-Drexel last season

any others?

[cannon]

who sends letters and what for? im lost

they are referring to the 'Talent Identification Programme' which is a poorly put together initiative by Lacrosse Australia to scout young potential quality players at national carnivals and expose them to squad type training from about the age of 16. Has potential but its not done very well right now.

[shooter]

who sends letters and what for? im lost

Lacrosse Australia for the Talent Identification Program (TIP)

[laxlegend]

Since the age groups are changing next year to even numbers, ie. under 12's, 14's, 16's, etc. that Surrey Park team has another year together. I also heard that half that team are first year under 13 players....great stuff.

What's this about age groups changing?! I've been waiting sooooo long to play full contact in U/15s, and I was going to play full contact next year, but if I'm not allowed to I will be (for want of a better phrase) inexpressably annoyed!

Please! minotaur, quickly send a post saying that full contact will be allowed in U/14s!!!!! I'm desperate to play real lacrosse, and if I'm only allowed to hold the ball for 4 stupid seconds and not allowed to check I will scream!!!!!!

[horney4lax]

You might find that you are a little ahead of yourself. its 2005.

[endoftheline]

What's this about age groups changing?! I've been waiting sooooo long to play full contact in U/15s, and I was going to play full contact next year, but if I'm not allowed to I will be (for want of a better phrase) inexpressably annoyed!

Please! minotaur, quickly send a post saying that full contact will be allowed in U/14s!!!!! I'm desperate to play real lacrosse, and if I'm only allowed to hold the ball for 4 stupid seconds and not allowed to check I will scream!!!!!!
aren't you a goalie anyway tommy?

[pumba]

Jason Brammel was accepted to limestone i heard

[Laxin2266]

I think they will, it seems the have a big fan base, there are so many aussie guys here on the forums.

[Brady]

I think Australain lacrosse needs some extremely 'visionary' administrators to push the sport forward, and perhaps some people with good connections that can secure funding from the Australian Sports Commission...I think that this is the biggest problem that I see facing the Aussie team. I was recently in Melbourne and got to see some games in the Australian Lacrosse League. The talent was very, very visible. Clearly the players had skills. But from what I gathered (sat and spoke with one of the player's fathers during the game) it actually COSTS these guys about $11,000AUS to be on the national team. That's a BIG detractor for gathering and maintaining a national team. So many teams are great because of their chemistry and ability to maintain cohesion throughout training. If you cannot get a team together because everytime that happens it's costing these players a considerable amount of money it's a massive detriment. So for me I see it as moreso a matter of garnering funding for the team and less a matter of the skill in Australian lacrosse. All of you guys who are just saying "America has the best players, some Australians are college level players, etc." do a little research on some of these players: http://www.lacrosseaustralia.org/ . And for my money, one of the most impressive players that I saw in those games was Mike McInerney (http://www.laxpower.com/all-amer/AA2001-MD2.htm) and for whatever reason he's not on that roster.

So don't discount the talent present in Australia, but the team funding is definitely an issue.

[piglet]

not to mention: Lee Davis at Robert Morris,
Cam Adams at Bellarmine
and the potential for:
Ardossi to Maryland in 06
Sear to Maryland in 07
and other Aussies who have played D1:
Robin Cornish- U North Carolina early 90's
Purdie-Adelphi (when Adelphi was D1)90's
Nathan Roost- Hobart 90's
Gareth Allen-Drexel last season

any others?

I believe that Bill Kent from Camberwell to Rutgers led the way in 1980ish follwed by Gordon Purdy, Rowan Manning and Tim Murphy to Adelphi a few years later. Gordon's mate actually have bad injuries that limited their playing

[aussielax]

I think that this is the biggest problem that I see facing the Aussie team. I was recently in Melbourne and got to see some games in the Australian Lacrosse League. The talent was very, very visible. Clearly the players had skills. But from what I gathered (sat and spoke with one of the player's fathers during the game) it actually COSTS these guys about $11,000AUS to be on the national team. That's a BIG detractor for gathering and maintaining a national team. So many teams are great because of their chemistry and ability to maintain cohesion throughout training. If you cannot get a team together because everytime that happens it's costing these players a considerable amount of money it's a massive detriment. So for me I see it as moreso a matter of garnering funding for the team and less a matter of the skill in Australian lacrosse. All of you guys who are just saying "America has the best players, some Australians are college level players, etc." do a little research on some of these players: http://www.lacrosseaustralia.org/ . And for my money, one of the most impressive players that I saw in those games was Mike McInerney (http://www.laxpower.com/all-amer/AA2001-MD2.htm) and for whatever reason he's not on that roster.

So don't discount the talent present in Australia, but the team funding is definitely an issue.

Yeah you are putting foward a very good point there, And i would have to say i don't belive that Australia has ever really been able to put our best team out on the feild at the worlds because of financial/logistical/other commitmets that players have.

Also i've known Mike McInerney for many years know and he coached me a few years ago when i lived in South Australia before he went to Adelphi. I think he was good enough to be in the team, I'm pretty sure he could have afforded to go to the worlds but i think he simply wasn't the kind of player the coaches were looking for.

[Brady]

Also i've known Mike McInerney for many years know and he coached me a few years ago when i lived in South Australia before he went to Adelphi. I think he was good enough to be in the team, I'm pretty sure he could have afforded to go to the worlds but i think he simply wasn't the kind of player the coaches were looking for.That amazes me. I only watched him play in the two games Victoria played in early November so that's no true measure of his game, but he was all over the place. In watching him during warmups I thought he was going to be some kind of all-show Mikey Powell ripoff, but he really wasn't. He was doing the subtle things directing the offense and setting up other players. He really impressed me and I'm surprised that he didn't get chosen. For whatever reason I actually thought that he must have decided not to be on the team.

[Doski]

as a measure of how the current Aus team are goin...nebody watch the 1st game against haverford?

[Cheez-it]

I don't know...after watching this,

http://www.e-lacrosse.com/2005ustryouts.html

It really makes me skeptical that anyone will be able to touch the USA except maybe Canada for a really REALLY REALLY long time...

[horney4lax]

YEP and the Aussies took it to Haveford 22 - 2 i think that was the end score, at least 20 goals anyway, I lost interest through the 3rd Q because the aussies threw goal after goal. However this Haverford team has an average age of 18 - 19 and are div 3 so, no surprises of the score really. It will be interesting to see how the young MCC team take on the young Haverford college on tuesday night, could be an even battle.