The future of lacrosse was on display at Albert Park in Te Awamutu last weekend.
Charlotte Scott of Waikato under-18 Gold picture with official Molly Harvey and Ava Gatie of Auckland under-18 Blue. Photo: Jackie Tye
Top youth talent from across the North Island was brought together by the under-15 and under-18 girls’ national championships and boys nationals’ series.
Te Awamutu and Cambridge continue to lead the way in the competition.
In the under-15 Girls division, the Waikato Sirens claimed the national title in a round-robin contest, followed by the Waikato Rapids and Auckland.
The Sirens impressed with a full-team dynamic, blending defensive grit, attacking flair, and relentless ball control – a foundation they aim to build on at the Australian National Tournament in Perth which is running through to Monday.
Under-15 boy’s Sixes Lacrosse – official William Ormsby helping develop an international level of play amongst our youth athletes. Photo: Jackie Tye Photo
Several standout athletes from St. Peter’s School Cambridge were in the Sirens squad.
They were looking for redemption from a second-place finish to Epsom Girls’ Grammar School at the New Zealand Secondary School Tournament in August.
Meg Cannon, Zoe Hannah and Jemma Burke each averaged five points across the tournament.
On the other side of the field, Auckland’s under-15 goalkeeper Sharaya Naidu delivered a standout performance under pressure, recording a 50 per cent save rate despite facing a barrage of shots from the Sirens.
The under-18 girls featured four teams. Waikato Gold edged Auckland Blue in a thrilling final, while Waikato White took bronze over Auckland Maroon.
Waikato Gold’s success was driven by standout performances including Annelies Banks and Ava Gatie, who tied as the tournament’s top point scorers.
Gatie’s sharp finishing and drive kept Auckland Blue in contention throughout the final, while Banks anchored Waikato Gold’s attack with precision and poise.
Amelia Rettkowicz added composed ball control and exceptional stick skills to Waikato’s midline, though Auckland’s defensive unit deserved credit for reducing her shot percentage.
Tournament MVP honours went to two defenders from Cambridge, Maisey Butler (Waikato Sirens, under-15) and Piper Russell (Waikato Gold, under-18).
Makayla Hollands of Waikato under-18 Gold. Photo: Jackie Tye
The boys’ divisions added further excitement, with Auckland and Waikato facing off in three-game series at both under-15 and under-18 levels.
The under-15 boys showcased the Sixes format — a fast-paced, high-scoring version of lacrosse comparable to rugby sevens.
With Sixes set to feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, its presence in Te Awamutu offered a glimpse of the sport’s future and the athleticism it demands.
The Hollands sisters, Makayla (Sirens) and Nicole (Waikato Gold), recently selected respectively for the Waikato under-16 and New Zealand under-18 hockey teams, exemplifies this versatility.
Several under-18 athletes at the event recently competed at the Australian Nationals and others represented the country at the World under-20 Championships in South Korea.
The national men’s programme now turns its focus to the Asia Pacific Qualifier for the World Championships.
New Zealand Lacrosse has also launched an inaugural Sixes Women’s team for its first test in Hong Kong – December 26 to January 4.
Mila Woodfield from Waikato Sirens under-15 and Emma Morton Jones – Auckland Blue under-15. Photo: Jackie Tye
