In a sport once dominated by boys, these Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association girls are blazing a new trail.
Bantam players Candace McDole and Megan Kinna will join midget reps Ciarra Curran and Marlo Bellamy as they compete for Team B.C. at the upcoming 2012 national championships in Victoria, B.C., July 28 to Aug. 2.
This is the first time the Ridge association has sent anyone other than a goalie to the national team.
Wes Eaton, coach and player rep for Ridge Meadows girls’ lacrosse, said the credit goes to the four extremely hard working girls.
“We’re quite proud of these girls,” said Eaton. “They give so much back to the game it’s nice to see their hard work pay off.”
Kinna, who has nine years experience playing box lacrosse, said the chance to play for Team B.C. has helped her game tremendously.
“It’s the best experience ever because the coaches are one-of-a-kind and the players are just as amazing. I never would have been the player that I am today without making Team B.C.”
Her teammate McDole is equally enthusiastic about the sport. The goalie said it’s the speed of play that keeps her coming to the rink.
“Ever since I picked up my stick for the first time, I’ve been hooked. I will never put it down.”
For midget players Curran and Bellamy, the chance to shine at the nationals is one they won’t soon forget. Whether it’s the friendships or the excitement of a tightly contested game, both feed off the energy they don’t necessarily find with other more popular summer sports like softball or soccer.
“In lacrosse, I like how fast the game is,” said Curran. “No matter how bad the start of the game was for you, it can be changed as the game goes on.”
Bellamy said she loves the feeling of making Team B.C. and is going to the nationals in hopes of beating their arch-rival from Ontairo.
“I am going to play as hard as I can to get that gold medal, and the bragging rights aren’t bad either,” joked Bellamy, who was one of 50 midget girls who tried out for the Team B.C.