Ballarat secures lacrosse under-15 national tournament

Ballarat has secured yet another major sport championship, with the Lacrosse Australia U15 Boy’s & Girl’s National Tournament to be held in the city. 

Hundreds of visitors from around Australia will call Ballarat home for a week, with the tournament to be held from 27 September-3 October, 2023. 

The event will be held at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility (Morshead Park), with two turf soccer pitches to be used. 

It is the first time it has been held in a regional city. 

The tournament is expected to feature 17 teams, almost 300 players, about 100 staff and officials and bring almost 500 visitors to Ballarat for the week. 

It is estimated to add more than $600,000 to the Ballarat economy. 

Lacrosse Victoria and the Ballarat & Goldfields Lacrosse League were instrumental in bringing the event to Ballarat. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson, said it was a coup to land another national championship event in Ballarat. 

“For Ballarat to be the first regional area to host this national event is great for the city,” Cr Hudson said. 

“It will be a great spectacle, but also bring an influx of visitors to Ballarat from all over Australia. 

“It is also fantastic to see the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility be used in such a way. As a Council we invested significantly in the facility and it is truly reaping its rewards.” 

The sport, which has origins with Native Americans in the 12th century, is similar to field hockey and is most popular in the USA and Canada.  

However, players wear more protective gear than field hockey due to its physical nature as a contact sport.  

The sticks used have netting to allow the ball to be caught and passed in the air. 

“Ballarat holds a significant place in the Australian lacrosse history as it is the location where Lambton Mount, who is credited with beginning Lacrosse in Australia, arrived in Australia in 1853,” Lacrosse Australia’s Steve Campbell said. 

“Lacrosse Australia sees this event, being hosted in Ballarat, as a great avenue to support the growth of the game in Australia and to also reconnect the sport with its deep history.” 

Lacrosse Victoria chair Jessica Hay said it was a great opportunity to promote the sport. 

“Lacrosse Victoria are thrilled to be hosting the 2023 LA Under 15 Boys & Girls National Tournament in Ballarat.  With teams travelling in from New Zealand, it is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the sport and introduce the game to regional Victoria that will host the Commonwealth Games in 2026.” 

For more information about the sport, visit the Lacrosse Australia and Lacrosse Victoria websites.