Not many people know much about girls field lacrosse in the Kitchener Waterloo area.  The most common misconception about the game is that it’s a rough game with cross-checks, slashes and heavy equipment.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The girls game is a non-contact game where speed, agility and finesse are much more important than brute strength.  People also don’t seem to know that there is a thriving, rapidly-growing girls field lacrosse program in KW and this season the girls had a ton of “firsts”.

This was the first year that the KW United Girls Field Lacrosse group ran a houseleague program in addition to the rep teams.  In its inaugural season, the program attracted 37 players new to the game.  Run by Hanna Burnett (Head coach at Wilfrid Laurier University) the sessions were a huge success and received rave reviews from parents and players alike.
It was also the first year our Little Laxer program (for girls in JK and SK) and out Pixie Sticks program (grades 1 and 2) saw 50% growth from the previous season.  The 2 programs combined included 90 players this year and continues to be the association’s fastest growing group of athletes.  The success of this program is due in large part to the organizational and coaching skills of coordinators Jim Moss, Amy Hastings, Tamara Grant and Lisa Collee but the backbone of the group is clearly the older U11, U13, U15 and U19 players who volunteer their time to work with our youngest players.  Having talented, athletic, caring mentors is key in the program’s popularity.  

We received this message from one of the parents, “Just a quick note to say how much my girls have enjoyed their first season with KW girls field lacrosse. This might be the most welcoming, well run and fun league we have encountered – spanning any sport or organized activity. You, the organization, and all the coaches have done an exceptional job. To see the older girls mentor the younger ones – and the reaction my girls have had to having strong female mentors – has been amazing. You have all created something very special. We honestly can’t say enough positive things about our experience with this league.”

Another first for the girls in KW was their hosting of a team from England.  Harrogate school in England sent their team to Canada for a taste of international play.  Our U19 team billeted players and coaches during their 3 day stay in the Kitchener Waterloo area.  The girls participated in a clinic at Spartan Lacrosse, had a real Canadian pool party and bbq and most importantly, played a friendly game with our girls team.  Not that it’s the most important thing but KW won the game.

In terms of our rep teams, 2018 was the first time in the history of the Ontario Womens’ Field Lacrosse Association (OWFL) that Kitchener Waterloo hosted the Provincial Championships.  Based at RIM Park, the event saw 71 teams from all over the Province gather for the 5 day event.  Touted as one of the best championships ever, the OWFL has already requested that KW host again in 2019.  The facilities at RIM Park combined with great hotels, restaurants, the Farmer’s Market and our outstanding volunteer group headed by Leanne Uhrig all contributed to the rave reviews.

Our teams did pretty well too.  For the first time in KW girls field lacrosse history, we had each of our teams in U11, U13, U15 and U19 compete in a medal game.  If that wasn’t enough, we had one more first. 2 of those teams (U13 and U15) won gold!

Now that may seem like a lot of firsts for one group but we did have one more.  For the first time, KW sent 9 athletes, 2 coaches and a trainer to the Ontario Summer Games in London last weekend.  Maddy Camm, Acadia Carlson, Macy Hepditch, Kara Patton, Rylee Harrison, and Emma (Pearle) Uhrig all competed in the U17 event.  Megan Shepley won a bronze medal.  Rylin Cormier earned a silver and Avery Morton brought home the gold.