The Unlikely Cricket Mum

Colder than it looked.
Not as muddy as expected.
That’s lacrosse in Melbourne.

🥶🥍

Congratulations to Zaiden on his milestone 100th junior game for

Rainy, muddy and cold.
It must be nearly the end of lacrosse season here.

Today was just one game… the U18s (mixed club team) boys v Camberwell at Camberwell’s hour ground .
Having kids at two different clubs creates moments like today when I cheered for Camberwell (Clover’s club) accidentally.
Oops

Perfect day for it.
Saturday at The Albert

Rough day at the office for MCC Reserves yesterday.

First State League game in the books.

(Just in time so he can say that he debuted at 15.)

❤️💙🥍💙❤️

A draw in the morning and a win in the afternoon.
It was a good day to watch lacrosse.

❤️💙

.victoria

A few photos from Saturday's Senior League Reserves win 15 to 2 over Altona

The lacrosse season is flying by with unusually good weather for it.
If Melbourne starts having cold and rainy weekends now, it will be my fault for jinxing us. Sorry.

MCC Lacrosse Senior League Reserves

They had their moments.
Vic A lost to Victoria today after a hard loss to SA in the morning.
But they are back tomorrow, bright and really freaking early to take on Western Australia in the third place game.
Just give it everything, boys.
It's been an honour to be your team manager, but when that final whistle goes around 9:30, I'm retired.

Vic A boys didn't get the win yesterday, but they came away with blood and bruises to prove they fought hard.
Back for two games on Monday against both of the strongest, top teams in the comp. Our guys have already shown they aren't here at the Australian Lacrosse u18 Nationals to be walk overs. That's huge.
Go Vic A's.

victoria

Recovery after the win.
Victoria A def Waikato 14 to 5.

Lacrosse Australia U18 National Championships day one.
victoria

Merch kit numbering the night before the tournament starts. ✔️
Let's go Victoria!

🥍
victoria

The Lacrosse Victoria pinnies are in.
Three more weekends of practice.
U18 Nationals begin in Melbourne on the 29th of March.

Go VICS!

Thank you .performance for running a great sprint and agility session today!
This headstart into the lacrosse preseason is amazing.
🥍

I promised not to post the video of Clover doing this drill with Kieran, but it's certainly one for their 18th birthday slideshow. 📽️

Kieran has kicked off January with sessions at .performance. It is so important to prepare for the season.
Hoping to not only prevent injury, but learn how to train for the specific physical requirements of lacrosse at a higher level.
This will be a big year.

Luckily there's Sascha the studio dog to keep me entertained.

Throwback to the MCG in 2017 when we were guests of Cricket Australia at the Ashes and the mum of one of the Australian bowlers* gave Clover & Kieran five dollars each just because "they were the best behaved kids in the room." 😂😂
Gem didn't get $5 and she was actually interested in the game! 🤣
🏏⚱️🏟️

*which bowler will remain a mystery on here 😏

Never. Going. To. Dry.

U18 lacrosse trials are underway in Victoria. Even ducks would have needed umbrellas this morning.
🦆☔🥍

As we drove in the pouring rain I asked the twins if they thought trials would go ahead today and they both said: "Of course it will, it isn't cricket."
🤭🏏

We 💙 you, Amanda-Jade! Hope it isn't another five years before we get to see you again.

(Swipe for 2018)

And that's a wrap on the U15 Lacrosse National Tournament journey. The twins age out of eligibility next year, so I am happy that they both had their own individual experiences.
🥍
Onwards!
🥍
Also, gotta love the Southern Crosse socks that finally arrived just in time for the final day of play. 🤦🏼‍♀️ So glad I bought three pairs. 🙄

Defence worked their butts off today against the top team and while it was a big loss, they should be proud. They kept up the fight to the very end.
And Kieran earned himself an MVP.

Two more days with this great group.

Nothing like a sideline visit from your dog to bring smiles!
🥍❤️
What a game!
I think a lot of people underestimated Southern Crosse going into this tournament. They are not backing down.
Today's game was evenly matched and hard fought. It went down to the wire with our boys losing by one goal.

So proud of these guys.

Day one done.
Southern Crosse with a big win. It was great to see them work well as a team because it is going to get really hard from here on out.
❤️🥍❤️
I had my first shift as a scorer and had a blast. Such a good way to meet some nice people here.

victoria

Southern Crosse Lacrosse
U15S Australian Lacrosse National Tournament bound!

Captains Joe Zanlunghi, Willem Duncan and Kieran Tarshis
victoria
Representatives from South Eastern Victoria

Southern Crosse's built-in cheer squad is all kitted up. Four days and counting!
Let's go boys!
🥍
Clover isn't playing in the U15 tournament this year, but she wouldn't miss going to support her brother for the world.
The decision to decline the spot wasn't easy, nor simple, but I hope Clover never forgets that saying no to an opportunity that isn't aligned with your heart is a powerful act of self-care and self-respect despite how painful it might feel in the moment.

Another season with Camberwell done.
🍀
It hasn't been an easy one, but there exists laughter alongside the shared challenges and the mutual growth.
Beyond the skills and talent on field, it's the character at the heart of this team that makes them so special.
💙🥍❤️

Southern Crosse v Northern Warriors scrimmage in faraway Eltham.
Forgot my dinner and my coat, but the sky was lovely.



.victoria

Clover's U18 team is through to their grand final after a really intense as preliminary today. Golden goals are my least favourite way to end a game. 😆
Thank goodness for this particular team and the wonderful families involved because it hasn't been a great season for Clover otherwise.

Big decisions for my kid to make after this wraps up.

Supporting Lacrosse Victoria in the goal of inclusivity visibility.
I was pleasantly surprised at how many kids (and some adults) heard on the sidelines saying "It's LACROSSE!" as we passed.
Yes, you can play too.
I heard "What sport is that?" too. 🤣
Midsumma Pride Parade Melbourne yesterday.

Clover came to help me volunteer at the inaugural Lacrosse Victoria Pride Cup today.
It was wonderful to see so many people showing up, playing and having fun. I hope next year is even bigger! Diversity and inclusion is so important to ensure the essential sense of belonging that comes with sport.
🏳️‍🌈🥍
Thankfully the skies in Melbourne cleared for us just in time.

.victoria