Girls’ lacrosse in the state of Arizona isn’t keeping pace

(Photo: Alex Roddier/WCSN)

Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. but in Arizona, girls’ lacrosse isn’t keeping pace.

As of right now, 18 high schools across the state currently partake in the sport under a club team status.

Having a girls’ lacrosse club team does come with quite an expense since it is not an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) official sport.

One of the Valley’s high school head coaches expressed how much really goes into having a team.

“A club sport needs a board of dedicated parents to run the operation,” Chaparral head coach Lisa Ojea said. “They are fundraising, securing field/practice space, lining fields, purchasing equipment, managing a coaching staff. It really is a mini business and to be done right takes an incredible amount of time and dedication. I don’t think the sport receives the recognition it deserves.”

With all the effort it takes to put a team together, many that love the game do everything they can to make sure that love doesn’t leave them and rather find solutions.

Arizona State women’s lacrosse forward and Arizona native Gabby Abbadessa recalls the challenges she faced playing lacrosse in the state at a young age.

“It was extremely difficult for me to get better and stay involved and challenged in lacrosse because of the limited programs, clubs, and exposure which Arizona lacrosse had to offer,” Abbadessa said.

According to Ojea, the growth of sport starts with continuing the grassroots effort they have in place to engage young kids.

“Lacrosse is a great sport but it is still relatively new to the area,” Ojea said. “We need to make those connections and make young children fall in love with the sport.”

At the Arizona Girls’ Lacrosse Association, it is working on a handful of things to help grow the sport. The biggest thing is getting girls lacrosse to become an AIA official sport. Other things include the growth of youth lacrosse and the expansion of college Division I women’s lacrosse programs.

“I think the Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association leadership is doing a great job for the growth of lacrosse currently,” Arizona State women’s lacrosse head coach Tim McCormack said. “They have done a ton of research the proper way to keep progressing the sport and are definitely creating a great environment to succeed in.”

Currently, Arizona State University is the only Division I women’s lacrosse program in the state of Arizona.

“It’s great for the school. This allows us to show the local lacrosse community what big-time lacrosse looks and feels like,” McCormack said. “It would be awesome to see the game continue to grow and see more colleges in Arizona to get lacrosse.”

For them, it’s more than a game and they hope the younger generation will carry on the legacy of the game that they have left behind.

“Remember what it was that connected you to the sport when you first started and keep the passion,” McCormack said. “Keeping it fun and maintaining your love is crucial to being successful at any level.”

It bears to be repeated that the love of the game will continue to be cherished and loved for generations to come. Whether you play the sport of lacrosse or not, always strive to be the best version of yourself.

“You never know when the last time you play will ever be, so attack practice, every game, every time you touch your stick like it’s your last and I guarantee you will be successful not only in lacrosse but in all aspects of your life,” Abbadessa said.