By Brigitte Ellemor
Footscray Lacrosse Club (FLC) has been named Club of the Year by Lacrosse Victoria (LV), capping off a successful year on and off the field.
The governing association made the announcement at the annual presentation night at the end of the season, citing the club’s hosting of major events at its home at Angliss Reserve, Yarraville, as well as on-field success and off-field initiatives.
‘FLC continue to lead the way with their recruitment and retention programs, recently hosting a social lacrosse program in conjunction with Victoria Uni,’ LV said.
‘Social lacrosse nights allowed people who had never played or hadn’t played for years, to pick up a stick and experience the game in a relaxed environment, FLC President Tim Lane said. Parents, children and siblings were all able to play together.’
Other initiatives include Come and Try sessions for children aged five to 16 years, with another session on Monday 5 December and a series of four starting on 16 January. Coaches will teach children the basics of lacrosse and all equipment is provided. Another first for 2022 was an under 10 Quickstix program, run during junior training nights, which attracted approximately 20 children each night.
‘The club has identified an opportunity to encourage children from the local community to get active with our junior programs,’ Mr Lane said. ‘The under 10 program is a great way for new players to experience lacrosse in a way that is less competition-based. The players get to build their skills in an environment that is fun for all levels of ability.’
The social lacrosse program is equally as important, Mr Lane said. ‘It’s a way where participants can get active by playing lacrosse without having to commit to weekday training and weekend matches.’
LV also noted FLC’s hosting of the Senior Men’s & Women’s National Championships, the Lacrosse Australia Challenge between Australian women and the University of Southern California, the women’s State League grand final and all senior men’s grand finals. As well, the Bulldogs won both men’s and women’s State League grand finals, Division 2 Men, Under 18 women and Under 16 boys’ premierships.
Several Footscray players won individual accolades at the LV awards. The top State League women’s and men’s goal scorers (Theadora Kwas and James Lawerson) and State League women’s best and fairest (Rebecca Lane) were Bulldogs. Under 16 players Angus Fluker and Janitha Dharmabandu tied to share the Under 16 league best and fairest award.
Many Footscray players were also selected to represent Victoria in the Senior, Under 18 and Under 15 national championships during the year.
Along with success at the top of the Victorian competition, the club participated in LV’s first Pride Cup at Newport. A team of players of all abilities, ranging from under 12 to senior State League players and including three sets of family members, came second in their division to a University of Melbourne team.
‘But it’s not just about winning,’ Mr Lane said. The club is also celebrating participation, people being active, and playing an exciting team sport after two seasons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also an increasing focus on health and wellbeing, with a wellbeing group established during the year to encourage connection and inclusion.
‘At Footscray we have made a conscious effort to promote inclusion. We are passionate about building our club to be a place where anybody within the community can participate and belong without fear of judgement or discrimination. Our wellbeing working group has been a great success and is something we will certainly continue in the years to come,’ Mr Lane said.
More information is available on the club’s Facebook page, or by emailing recruitment@footscraylacrosseclub.com.au
You can register for the Come and Try sessions online: https://forms.gle/mjEoS8kBQVJKjwYE9
