ABOUT US TEAM PREVIEW Heart. Passion. Pride. These three words embody the 2015 European Championship Ireland Women’s Lacrosse team. The 2015 team blends the experience and commitment of veteran players with the energy and enthusiasm of new players and a new coaching staff. Following the most competitive selection camp to date in Dublin in October 2014, 18 players were selected to represent their country of heritage. The team returns with twelve key players from the 2013 World Cup team and adds six talented players. Of the twelve returning, seven competed on the 2012 European Championship team and three have been part of Ireland Lacrosse since the 2009 World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. They bring tremendous leadership and knowledge that will help guide the newcomers through their first international competition.
The team heads into the 2015 European Championships confident and united. Finishing 10th in the 2013 World Cup provided a solid understanding about what worked, what needed to change, and how to properly prepare as a team when apart. The coaching staff asked a great deal, and the players rose to the challenge. This is the strongest Ireland Women’s National team to play in the European Championships. The defense is anchored by World Cup veteran goalie, Ashley DeFlumere. She is supported by an outstanding crew of defenders who play with hustle and determination. Rebecca Headon, ’12 & ’13 captain, and Devin O’Leary, ’13 captain, know how to lead on the pitch and what it takes to be successful. Solid communication and emotional leadership from Lucy Morris will unite the defense. Pamela Smithwick, ‘09 captain, returns to the team from a six year hiatus where she was the goalie for the Ireland Women’s National Field Hockey team. She is a true competitor and will run a bit of midfield, along with newcomer and UNC National Championship defender, Breada Farrell. The midfielders control the tempo of the game and bring a spark to both ends of the field. Caroline Peters, lead scorer on the team since 2012 and college standout at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, will be looked upon to step up once again. Claire Halliday had a breakout career in the World Cup, including being named Player of the Game against Latvia. Halliday and Schyler Neale will switch off taking the draw to help control the direction of the game. Orla McCourt, team member since 2009, will take on a new role in midfield. With her speed and deadly shots, newcomer Noreen Anderson brings intensity to both ends of the field. Rachel Ward’s experience from three Division II National Championship appearances will help lift the midfield up to a new level.
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
ABOUT US TEAM PREVIEW The attack is an equal combination of new and veteran players. Robyn Morris, ’12 & ’13 captain, will be expected to show everyone the ropes. She will look to assist crafty veteran, Victoria Devine, off of the cut, while clearing the lane for the speedy Olivia Jackson who scored multiple goals in several matches in 2013. Evanna Murphy will help make the transition easier for new players, Anna Bischoff and Nadine Fadel, since they find the back of the net together as teammates on the Dublin Avengers. The 2015 coaching staff brings innovation, expertise, and dedication to the team. Head Coach Sarah Walsh combines her National Championship experience as a player with her extensive coaching career to lead the team on and off the field. Her deep love for Ireland lacrosse transitioned her from a key player in 2012 to assistant coach in 2013 and now to head coach. Walsh is surrounded by an outstanding, new staff who also bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the team. Assistant coaches Hilary Bowen, Catherine Conway, and Caroline Helmer all had impressive careers at top NCAA Division I college programs (Northwestern, Boston College, & Cornell). Between the staff, they amassed 12 Conference tournament appearances (ACC, IVY, and ALC - now Big 10), 7 NCAA Tournament berths, and 5 NCAA Division 1 Championships. After graduating, they all have coached college programs, successful high school teams, and elite club programs in the United States. National Team Director, John Cavanaugh, continues to guide the team with his commitment and drive. John’s unparalleled drive and commitment to athletics has led him to work with Team USA at the 2012 & 2008 Olympic Games, and the 2015 & 2007 Pan American Games, amongst many other events, lectures, and his day job as Clinical Supervisor at the Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center. He also directs the American Physical Therapy Association-credential Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program. Larry Carroll returns as the Equipment Manager and source of smiles for all of the girls. He, too, is an unyielding source of joy and commitment to the program and the Game. He was awarded the “Spirit of Lacrosse” Award at the 2014 Men’s Lacrosse World Championships.
Here’s to a great 2015 European Championship! Go Ireland! Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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ABOUT US THE ROAD TO NYMBURK
“ “
The Irish Women’s National Lacrosse team was first established in 1930 and remained active until 1970, when lacrosse effectively died-out in Ireland. The team re-emerged in 2005 when Denmark hosted a women’s European ‘Newcomers’ tournament in Copenhagen. Incredibly, the Irish Women’s Team won the tournament, a great achievement given that the tournament provided most players with their first ever experience of playing a proper game of lacrosse. Building on that success, the Irish Women’s team then participated in the European Championships in Lahti, Finland in 2008 (the team finished in 4th place) and then following a 5th place finish at the 2009 World Cup, the team competed in the 2012 European Championships in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where they finished in 8th place. The team came in 10th place at the 2013 World Cup in Ontario, Canada, and the 2015 European Championships in Nymburk, Czech Republic opens the next chapter in the ongoing progress and development of the Irish women’s national lacrosse team, and we are hoping for further success!
Michael Kennedy CEO, Ireland Lacrosse
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ÉIRE IRISH DEVELOPMENT TEAM Éire - the Irish word for the island of Ireland - is the name given to the Irish development team. There is both a men’s and women’s version of this team, and the team plays in various tournaments, exhibition games and other events. The purpose of this team is to bring together players – in Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America and beyond – who all have some connection to Ireland, be they Irish born and bred, resident in Ireland, have Irish heritage, or have worked or studied in Ireland. It is therefore a mechanism to help broaden and expand the Irish lacrosse family, to connect with the global Irish diaspora, and to maximise engagement in the Ireland Lacrosse mission of developing the sport of lacrosse in Ireland and supporting the various Irish national teams.
Examples of events in which the Éire team has participated include the ‘festival’ tournaments at the men’s 2012 European Championships in Amsterdam and at the 2014 World Championships in Denver, the women’s annual Home Internationals tournament in the UK, and, in preparation for the 2015 Women’s European Championships, exhibition games in New Jersey, USA on 6 June 2015 and in Dublin, Ireland on 29 July 2015 against the New York Athletic Club and AIST respectively.
Ireland Lacrosse. Grow The Game. Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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2015 ELF CHAMPIONSHIP INFO 6 - 15 AUGUST, 2015 Sports Center Nymburk Nymburk, Czech Republic The 2015 ELF Women’s Lacrosse European Championship will be the largest international competition in women’s lacrosse ever held on European soil. 17 national teams will travel to Nymburk, Czech Republic to compete in the first ever independently held women’s lacrosse European championships. The EC15 are held exclusively at Sports Center Nymburk, the largest sports facility in the country. While it has been serving Czech Olympians since 1952 it has been recently remodeled to suit today’s standards. The grounds are situated in a public park stretching along the south bank of river Labe all the way to Nymburk downtown. The town square can be reached in under 20 minutes by foot, the train station in about 30 minutes. Tickets are sold on site only. The box office, situated by the entrance to the public access area, is open 5 – 15 August 2015, 8:30 am – 7 pm. Tickets may be purchased with cash only. For more information about the Championship and participating nations, visit www.ec15lax.com Information courtesy of the ELF Women’s Lacrosse European Championship
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
IRELAND SCHEDULE
Thursday, 6 August Opening Ceremony Pool Play Begins
Thursday, 6 August Team Bye
Friday, 7 August - Monday, 10 August Pool Play Tuesday, 11 August - Friday, 14 August Play In & Qualifying Games Saturday, 15 August Consolation Game Championship Game Awards Giving Ceremony Closing Ceremony
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Friday, 7 August Ireland v. Austria | 12:00 | Field 1 Saturday, 8 August Ireland v. Scotland | 15:00 | Field 1 Sunday, 9 August Ireland v. Belgium | 10:30 | Field 2 Tuesday, 11 August - Friday, 14 August All Play In & Qualifying Games TBD
2015 ELF CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
England
Finland
Germany
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Netherlands
Norway
Scotland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Wales
Ireland Women’s Team Results in ELF and FIL Competition
Ireland
2005 European Newcomers Championships 2008 European Championships 2009 World Championships
Copenhagen, Denmark
1st
Lahti, Finland
4th
Prague, Czech Republic
5th
2012 European Championships 2013 World Championships
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
8th
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
10th
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COACHING STAFF BIOS
[ Catherine Conway, Hilary Bowen, Sarah Walsh, Caroline Helmer ] Head Coach, Sarah Walsh, has been a player and coach for the Ireland National team. She played for the 2012 European Championship team in Amsterdam and was the assistant coach for the 2013 World Cup team in Canada. Walsh was named head coach in the fall of 2014. She was part of the first recruiting class at Northwestern University who were undefeated and won their first National Championship in 2005, Walsh’s senior year. Walsh went on to coach one year at the University of Massachusetts before starting her own private coaching and college recruiting company, Lacrossover, in 2010 in Alexandria, Va. Additionally, Walsh helps coach the nationally ranked high school, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School. Assistant Coach and Sports Information Officer, Catherine Conway, most recently worked as first assistant coach at Iona College. She also serves as the Director of Top Side Snipers, an elite girls club lacrosse programme in Westchester County, New York. Conway graduated from Boston College in 2012, where she played on the Division I Women’s Lacrosse team. She spent time in both the goal, and in the midfield. Was a member of the first-ever Eagles team to make the NCAA Tournament. Assistant Coach Caroline Helmer was a two-time captain at Cornell University. She was an All-Ivy, All-Northeast, and All American selection in 2012. Helmer was Cornell’s Defensive Player of the Year three times. She has been playing for STX Women’s Elite team since 2013. She currently teaches PE at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School and coaches soccer and lacrosse. She also coaches for Stars Lacrosse Club. Assistant Coach Hilary Bowen was a four-year letterwinner at Northwestern from 2006 to 2009 and won four NCAA Championships. Bowen was chosen for IWLCA All-America honors in each of her final three seasons and was named MVP of the 2007 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments and a member of the 2009 NCAA All-Tournament team.She is the former assistant coach at Mt. St. Mary’s (Md.) and University of Southern California (USC), where she started the programme. Bowen is currently the head coach at Roosevelt High School (Seattle, Wash.) and a programme coordinator with City Side Lacrosse.
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SUPPORT STAFF BIOS JOHN CAVANAUGH
TEAM MANAGER / ATHLETIC TRAINER Oversees all medical operations including strength and conditioning programmes, on-field injury management, rehabilitation programmes, doping control and physician referral. Also team liaison with EC2015 tournament organisers and player eligibility coordinator. US Swim Team Medical Staff, 2007 and 2015 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Toronto, Canada, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 2012 London Olympic Games.
LARRY CARROLL
EQUIPMENT MANAGER Served as Equipment Manager for the Irish women’s national team at the 2013 World Cup and for the men’s national team at the 2006 and 2014 World Championships, and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Involved with Ireland Lacrosse since 2006
MICHAEL KENNEDY
ELF DELEGATE / IRELAND LACROSSE CEO Irish National Men’s Team player 2004 to 2011 and 2015 (Captain 2005 to 2010). Co-founder of the UCD Lacrosse Club and the Dublin Avengers Lacrosse Club. Co-founder and CEO of Ireland Lacrosse, National Governing Body for the sport of lacrosse in Ireland. Senior Policy Officer at University College Dublin.
“
It’s exciting to see the increasing passion, dedication, and growth of lacrosse in Ireland over the years. At our selection camp in October 2014 we had our largest and most competitive turnout to date. After very difficult decisions, we selected a strong, athletic, and balanced team. Of the 18 selected, 12 are returning players from the 2013 World Cup who were all essential to our success. The six new players each bring skill and intensity that will help take our team to the next level. Our coaching staff brings passion and expertise honed from playing and coaching at the highest levels. We feel confident in our team and look forward to being very competitive in the 2015 European Championships.
- Sarah Walsh, Head Coach Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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TEAM ROSTER ALPHABETICAL No. Player
Pos.
Residence
Other Teams
16
Noreen Anderson
M/D
Glenview, Illinois, USA
17
Anna Bischoff
A/M
Dublin, IRL
28
Ashley DeFlumere
G
7
Victoria Devine
A
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, IRL Centereach, NY, USA
Illinois Elite Lacrosse Club, Princeton German National League, Dublin Avengers Mount Holyoke College, UCD
33
Nadine Fadel
A
Dublin, IRL
UCD
11
Breada Farrell
M/D
Essex Fells, NJ, USA
14
Claire Halliday
M
London, UK
13
Rebecca Headon
D
Dublin, IRL
New York Athletic Club, The University of North Carolina Roger Williams University, Putney Lacrosse Dublin Avengers
1
Olivia Jackson
A/M
Doagh, Ballyclare, N. IRL
Loughborough University
20
Orla McCourt
M
Dundalk, Co. Louth, IRL
West London Lacrosse Club
12
Lucy Morris
D
Balham, London, UK
Putney Lacrosse Club
6
Robyn Morris
A
Teddington, Middlesex, UK
West London Lacrosse Club
10
Evanna Murphy
A/D
Dublin, IRL
Dublin Avengers, UCD
18
Schyler Neale
M
Doswell, VA, USA
Washington Lacrosse Club
5
Devin O’Leary
D/M
Framingham, MA, USA
Stonehill College
3
Caroline Peters
A/M
Rockville, MD, USA
Vanderbilt
8
Pamela Smithwick
M
Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, IRL
Dublin Avengers
21
Rachel Ward
M
Fishers, Indiana, USA
Lock Haven University
Grand Valley State University
Keep up with the team by following the hashtags #IrelandLacrosse and #COYGIG (Come On You Girls In Green) on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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TEAM ROSTER NUMERICAL No. Player
Pos.
Residence
Other Teams
1
Olivia Jackson
A/M
Doagh, Ballyclare, N. IRL
Loughborough University
3
Caroline Peters
A/M
Rockville, MD, USA
Vanderbilt
5
Devin O’Leary
D/M
Framingham, MA, USA
Stonehill College
6
Robyn Morris
A
Teddington, Middlesex, UK
West London Lacrosse Club
7
Victoria Devine
A
Centereach, NY, USA
Grand Valley State University
8
Pamela Smithwick
M
Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, IRL
Dublin Avengers
10
Evanna Murphy
A/D
Dublin, IRL
Dublin Avengers, UCD
11
Breada Farrell
M/D
Essex Fells, NJ, USA
12
Lucy Morris
D
Balham, London, UK
New York Athletic Club, The University of North Carolina Putney Lacrosse Club
13
Rebecca Headon
D
Dublin, IRL
Dublin Avengers
14
Claire Halliday
M
London, UK
16
Noreen Anderson
M/D
Glenview, Illinois, USA
17
Anna Bischoff
A/M
Dublin, IRL
18
Schyler Neale
M
Doswell, VA, USA
Roger Williams University, Putney Lacrosse Club Illinois Elite Lacrosse Club, Princeton German National League, Dublin Avengers Washington Lacrosse Club
20
Orla McCourt
M
Dundalk, Co. Louth, IRL
West London Lacrosse Club
21
Rachel Ward
M
Fishers, Indiana, USA
Lock Haven University
28
Ashley DeFlumere
G
Mount Holyoke College, UCD
33
Nadine Fadel
A
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, IRL Dublin, IRL
UCD
Interested in joining the Ireland Lacrosse family? Visit www.irelandlacrosse.ie or email info@irelandlacrosse.com for more information. Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS #16 NOREEN ANDERSON
Midfield / Defense · Age 18 · Glenview, Illinois, USA
Glenbrook South High School ... Illinois Elite Lacrosse Club ... Princeton University 4 year varsity midfielder at Glenbrook South High School ... Team MVP Sophomore and Senior year ... Member of Illinois Elite Lacrosse Club … Playing at Princeton University, starting Fall 2015
#17 ANNA BISCHOFF
Attack / Midfield · Age 28 · Dublin, Ireland
German National League ... Barcelona Lacrosse Team (ESP) ... Maastricht Lamas (NED) ... Dublin Avengers Played in the German National League starting 2008 ... Member of Barcelona Lacrosse Team ... Coached and played for the Maastricht Lamas (Netherlands) while earning her Master’s degree in 2010 – 2011… Member of Dublin Avengers since 2013
#28 ASHLEY DEFLUMERE
Goalie · Age 28 · Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland Mount Holyoke College ... University College Dublin
Played Varsity DIII lacrosse at Mount Holyoke College, 2005 - 2009 ... Played at University College Dublin, where she received her PhD in Spring 2015
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Mission Statement: The Irish Lacrosse Foundation is committed to developing the sport of Lacrosse in Ireland, to raise funds for the continuing development of the sport of Lacrosse in Ireland and to generally support, encourage and promote the sport of Lacrosse in Ireland.
Proud Supporters of the 2015 Ireland Women’s National Team
GOOD LUCK IN NYMBURK
President: Richie Moran RMMlax@aol.com Treasurer: Jim Carroll
Jimdani@msn.com Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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IRISH WOMEN’S PLAYERS BIOS
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS # 7 VICTORIA DEVINE
Attack · Age 22 · Centereach, New York, USA
Middle Country High School ... Team 91 Lacrosse ... Grand Valley State University Plays varsity DII lacrosse at Grand Valley State ... Freshman Year, named to the Division II All-Independent second team; Junior Year, ended the season with the second-most goals (91), third-most points (112), sixth-most caused turnovers (26) and ninth-most ground balls (57) in GVSU history
#33 NADINE FADEL
Attack · Age 20 · Dublin, Ireland
Played for University College Dublin since September 2013 ... Attended Home Internationals 2014, Bluesfest 2014, Ken Galluccio Cup 2014
#11 BREADA FARRELL
Midfield / Defense · Age 24 · Essex Fells, New Jersey, USA West Essex High School ... STEPS Lacrosse ... University of North Carolina ... New York Athletic Club Women’s Lacrosse 2013 NCAA Division I National Champions...Top-5 team in USA (‘09-’13) & 3x Final Four appearances...“2013 Top 6 for Leadership Award” for distinguished leadership on the field and in the community Currently plays for New York Athletic Club Women’s Lacrosse team.
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS #14 CLAIRE HALLIDAY
Midfield · Age 26 · London, United Kingdom
Roger Williams University ... Putney Lacrosse Club Played varsity DIII lacrosse at Roger Williams University, 2007-2011 … Currently plays for Putney Lacrosse Club
#13 REBECCA HEADON
Defense · Age 30 · Dublin, Ireland Dublin Avengers
Plays for the Dublin Avengers … Received her medical degree from the University of Limerick, 2015 … Prior to EC2015, shares record for most caps by Irish Women’s National team member (debut at 2008 European Championships)
# 1 OLIVIA JACKSON
Attack / Midlfield · Age 21 · Doagh, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland Loughborough University Played at Loughborough University … Graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Ergonomics (Human Factors Design) ... Played for Ireland in five Home International tournaments … Made her National Team debut at 2013 World Championships
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STAY CONNECTED SOCIAL MEDIA Ireland Lacrosse takes pride in utilising numerous social media outlets to better connect both the Ireland Lacrosse fans and players During the European Championships make sure to use the hashtags #IrelandLacrosse and #COYGIG (Come On You Girls In Green) to support and follow everything Irish Women’s Lacrosse!
https://www.facebook.com/irelandlacrosse @IrelandLacrosse
http://www.irelandlacrosse.ie/ @IrelandLacrosse
[ Irish Women’s National Team Home and Away uniforms for the European Championships courtesy of Force5 ] Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS #20 ORLA MCCOURT
Midfield · Age 29 · Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland West London Lacrosse Club Currently plays for the West London Lacrosse Club … Prior to EC2015, shares record for most caps by Irish Women’s National team member (debut at 2008 European Championships) … Currently a specialist physiotherapist in hematology, working on research investigating the role of exercise in cancer survivorship
#12 LUCY MORRIS
Defense · Age 31 · Balham, London, United Kingdom West London Lacrosse Club ... Putney Lacrosse Club ... Pteddington Pterodactyls Plays for Putney Lacrosse Club, London, UK ... English National Champions 2015 and South England Premier Division Champions 2015...Has played for Ireland National Lacrosse Team since 2011 ... Holds a BSc in Psychology from University of Exeter, UK … Works at Bank of Montreal (BMo) Global Asset Management
# 6 ROBYN MORRIS
Attack · Age 27 · Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom Brighton Panthers Lacrosse ... West London Lacrosse Club Player for West London Lacrosse Club and 2015-2016 season Captain … Made Ireland Lacrosse debut at the 2009 World Cup ... Played for Brighton Panthers Lacrosse Team and won Player of the Year in 2009 … Completed PGCE and Masters at St. Mary’s University College Twickenham ... Currently Primary School Teacher at St. Edmund’s Catholic Primary School
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS #10 EVANNA MURPHY
Attack / Defense · Age 24 · Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin ... Dublin Avengers Currently plays for the Dublin Avengers … Chairperson for the Irish Women’s Lacrosse League (IWLL) … Served as Captain for the Avengers in 2014 … Played for University College Dublin … Made her Ireland Lacrosse debut at the 2013 World Cup
#18 SCHYLER NEALE
Midfield · Age 20 · Doswell, Virginia, USA
Patrick Henry High School ... American University ... Washington Lacrosse Club Four-time US Lacrosse Richmond Chapter All-Star selection ... Named the Offensive Player of the Game at the US Lacrosse Richmond Chapter All-Star Game in 2013 ... Currently plays for Washington Lacrosse Club … Made her debut for Ireland at the 2013 World Championships
# 5 DEVIN O’LEARY
Defense / Midlfield · Age 26 · Framingham, Massachusetts, USA Played varsity DII Stonehill College, 2008-2011... Sophomore, IWLCA AllNorth Region Second Team; Senior Year, NE-10 Commissioner’s Fall Honor Roll ... Made her debut for Ireland at the 2012 European Championships
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SPECIAL THANKS BERNIE O’ROURKE Bernie O’Rourke, maternal grandfather of Irish Women’s National Team player Caroline Peters, has been a continuous supporter of the Ireland Lacrosse programme for many years. O’Rourke emigrated to the United States from Ireland with his parents through Ellis Island when he was 12 years old. He went on to attend Brentwood High School in Long Island, New York where he played American Football, wrestling and lacrosse. In the mid-1960s, he became the first member of his family to attend college when he received a lacrosse scholarship - the first in Brentwood alumni history - to the University of Maryland. O’Rourke graduated with a BA in PhysEd, MA in Counseling, and PhD in Education. O’Rourke’s granddaughter, Good Counsel All-Met Caroline Peters, will represent Ireland at the 2015 ELF Women’s Lacrosse European Championship. Peters had grown up on her grandfather’s stories about his native country but had never traveled there until October 2011 when she arrived in Dublin to try out for the Women’s National Team.
[ Bernie O’Rourke #80, Brentwood High School (Long Island, N.Y.), 1964 ]
Thank You for your continuous support of all Ireland Lacrosse programmes!
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER BIOS # 3 CAROLINE PETERS
Attack / Midfield · Age 20 · Rockville, Maryland, USA Good Counsel, Vanderbilt University
Plays for varsity DI Vanderbilt University ... Named Big East Attacker of the Week and SEC Academic Honor Roll. Named US Lacrosse 1st Team AllAmerican at Goof Counsel; US Lacrosse Academic All-American, Under Armour All-American … Made debut for Ireland National Team in 2012 European Championships; led team in goals in both EC2012 and 2013 World Cup
# 8 PAMELA SMITHWICK
Midfield · Age 28 · Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Made her debut at the 2008 European Championships ... Member of the National Field Hockey Team 2010-2014 … Currently working as a Geography and Economics teacher at the King’s Hospital School, Dublin
#21 RACHEL WARD
Midfield · Age 22 · Fishers, Indiana, USA
Played varsity DII at Lock Haven University … Appeared in back-to-back National Championship appearances (2014, 2015), 2 time PSAC champion (2014, 2015), Second Team All-PSAC (2015), and Offensive MVP 2015
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IRISH WOMEN’S LACROSSE HISTORY Women’s lacrosse first emerged in Ireland in the 1920s and achieved a substantial period of growth and sustainability all the way up to 1970. Activity during this period included regular matches between women’s club teams within Ireland, games against visiting club teams from the UK (and reciprocal trips by Irish teams), regular formalised competition between teams from Irish girls secondary schools, and regular international matches between Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland (and games in Ireland against a visiting USA team in 1935, 1951 and 1957). The first women’s team in Ireland was the – suitably named – Dublin Pioneers. Their first practice was held at 2.45pm on Monday, 29 November 1926 at Trinity Hall playing fields in Rathmines. Introducing a new sport like lacrosse to a country unfamiliar with it takes a great deal of passion and drive from a number of leaders who take on the considerable responsibility of organising practices, games, and handling all the relevant administrative matters. In the case of the Dublin Pioneers, that person was Dorothy Griffith, who lived at Greenane, Temple Road, Rathmines in Dublin. On 22 November 1926, Dorothy Griffith – a left attack wing – wrote a letter to a Miss Leonard outlining the plans to start a lacrosse club called the Pioneers in Dublin, setting out the first training time, location and annual subscription cost. She signed the letter as ‘Honorary Secretary’ on behalf of the club. Through the work of Dorothy Griffith and the other members of the Pioneer club the sport steadily grew. By 1928, though the Pioneers were still the only senior club lacrosse team in Ireland, they were joined by two girls schools based around the greater Dublin area – the French School in Bray, Co. Wicklow and Hillcourt School in Glenageary, Co. Dublin. Later, similar schools like Alexandra College in Milltown in Dublin and the Hall School in Monkstown, Co. Dublin, would also introduce lacrosse.
[ Letter from Dorothy Griffith, 1926 ]
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
In a report on the state of the game in Ireland in the Irish Independent newspaper on 22 March 1930, it’s noted that the Belfast Ladies Lacrosse Club, “encouraged by the start of the game in the [Irish] Free State (which the Republic of Ireland was known as at that time), had re-formed after a lapse of several years.” Furthermore, the report states that there was a Belfast girls’ school called Richmond Lodge which had “played the game since before the war” (referring to the First World War, which started in 1914). This would therefore imply that in fact, the
IRISH WOMEN’S LACROSSE HISTORY first instance of women’s lacrosse in Ireland was actually in Belfast (and not with the Dublin Pioneers). Indeed, there was a very rich tradition of lacrosse at Richmond Lodge, and this history has been uncovered by members of the ‘Arellian’ – as in ‘R.L.’ (Richmond Lodge) –ian – Association who are past pupils of the school. There is evidence that lacrosse was played in Richmond Lodge as far back as 1922. The women’s team at Richmond Lodge competed in the School Challenge Shield from its inception and won the trophy first in 1935, in the third edition of that competition, and girls from the School would go on to play for the [ Irish Women’s Team, 1949 ] Belfast Ladies Lacrosse Club, which would also supply players for the very earliest Irish national teams. Richmond Lodge wasn’t the only girls school in Northern Ireland to play lacrosse, as the sport was also popular at Manor House School in Co. Armagh. Women’s lacrosse in Ireland then took a major step forward when, on 24 March 1930, the Irish Ladies Lacrosse Association (ILLA) was founded as the national governing body of women’s lacrosse in Ireland. Simultaneous with this was the establishment of the Irish Women’s National team, which would play its first ever international games at a tournament hosted by the All-England Ladies Lacrosse Association (AELLA) in April 1930. A ‘Schools Shield’ competition ran all the way from 1934 to 1970. In 1973, four of the schools that had been participating in this competition – Park House School, The Hall School, Hillcourt School and Glengara Park School – merged to form Rathdown School, which is still in operation today in Glenageary, Co. Dublin. Perhaps it was this impending merger which led to the end of the competition. Fortunately, Rathdown School kept track of the lacrosse tradition that its constituent schools were a key part of, and the trophy shield itself – resplendent with little silver buttons with the name of the champion team for every year – is still held in the trophy case at the School. Women’s lacrosse re-emerged in Ireland in 2005 with the Irish Women’s National team’s participation in the European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) European ‘Newcomers’ Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Many of the girls on this team had never played an official game of lacrosse before until their first game of the tournament, where they drew 1-1 with Finland. Incredibly, the team would go on to rack up a number of wins before defeating the host Danish team in the final to win the trophy. The Women’s Senior National team then played in the European Championships tournament in 2008 in Finland (finishing in 4th place), finished in 5th place in the World Cup in 2009 in the Czech Republic, competed again in the European Championships in 2012 in The Netherlands (finishing 8th), finished in 10th place at the 2013 World Cup in Canada, and the team is eagerly looking forward to the 2015 tournament in the Czech Republic.
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IRISH WOMEN’S LACROSSE HISTORY
[ Irish Women’s Team, 2005 ]
[ Irish Women’s Team, 2008 ]
[ Irish Women’s Team, 2009 ]
[ Irish Women’s Team, 2012 ]
[ Irish Women’s Team, 2013 ]
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IRISH NATIONAL TEAM APPEARANCES Below is the list of previous Ireland Lacrosse appearances by the 2015 Women’s National Team members.
World Championships
European Championships
Games Played
Rebecca Headon
2009 & 2013
2008 & 2012
28
Orla McCourt
2009 & 2013
2008 & 2012
28
Robyn Morris
2009 & 2013
2012
23
Lucy Morris
2013
2012
16
Devin O’Leary
2013
2012
16
Caroline Peters
2013
2012
16
Pamela Smithwick
2009
2008
12
Olivia Jackson
2013
8
Victoria Devine
2013
8
Evanna Murphy
2013
8
Claire Halliday
2013
8
Schyler Neale
2013
8
Ashley DeFlumere
2013
8
Ireland Lacrosse has developed a process to mark the occasion for each of its national team players who earn their first ‘cap’ for Ireland. The awarding of caps for a player’s appearance on a national team in an international level competitive game is a European tradition. It dates back to the early days of association football (soccer) in England, when the players wore the same cap on their heads in the absence of a set of matching shirts. Players who compete for any of the Irish National Lacrosse Teams at an official FIL or ELF sanctioned event are awarded a cap in a special team ceremony. The caps are embroidered with their name, the date of their first appearance for Ireland, and the name of the tournament. Special administrative and historical caps are also awarded to key individuals who have made a contribution to Irish lacrosse, past and present. Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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ABOUT US PHOTO GALLERY TEAGHLAIGH AR AGUS AS AN RÉISE
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
ABOUT US PHOTO GALLERY FAMILY ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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Good Luck Noreen & the 2015 Irish Women’s National Team!
from the O’Sullivans, O’Briens, Forkins & Brennans
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
Good Luck to the Ireland Women’s National Team! Love, The Peters’ & Keehn Families, Grandy & Pap Rodkey, & Grandpa O’Rourke!
The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get!
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Interested in learning more about Ireland Lacrosse?
· // · // · // · // · // · // ·
www.irelandlacrosse.ie
813.994.0937 support@zimagear.com
@IrelandLacrosse info@irelandlacrosse.ie
26234 Welsey Chapel Blvd. Lutz, FL Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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Congratulations to Katelin Billups on gaining Irish citizenship!
Duine againn féin! ‘One of our own!’
From the Ireland Lacrosse family
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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IRELAND LACROSSE APPAREL Wear the green, white, and orange with pride! Check out the official Ireland Lacrosse Apparel site by visiting www.irelandlacrosse.ie and choosing IL Shop.
I dTEANNTA A CHÉILE!
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Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS DONORS Ireland Lacrosse would like to thank the following individuals for their generous support: Bernie O’Rourke | Maryland, USA Chris & Deirdra Devine | New York, USA Sheila O’Brien | Illinois, USA
IRELAND’S CALL Come the day and come the hour Come the power and the glory We have come to answer Our Country’s call From the four proud provinces of Ireland Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall Shoulder to shoulder We’ll answer Ireland’s call From the mighty Glens of Antrim From the rugged hills of Galway From the walls of Limerick And Dublin Bay From the four proud provinces of Ireland Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall Shoulder to shoulder We’ll answer Ireland’s call Hearts of steel And heads unbowing Vowing never to be broken We will fight, until We can fight no more From the four proud provinces of Ireland Ireland, Ireland Together standing tall Shoulder to shoulder We’ll answer Ireland’s call
Irish Women’s National Team 2015 MEDIA GUIDE
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