This is just the start
Women’s U20 coach eyes legacy-making lacrosse team
HEAD COACH of Jamaica’s women’s U20 lacrosse team, Taylor Erwin, said the upcoming World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship is just the beginning of what is a bright future for the sport on the island.
Jamaica will make its second appearance at the championship set to kick off from August 15 and run until the 24th in Hong Kong, China.
Erwin said the opportunity represents the first wave of development in women’s lacrosse for Jamaica.
“This is just the start. Even now we’re seeing the girls that tried out for the team a year ago. I see the potential for this programme and the future players,” she said. “Girls as young as 12 are ready to play for Jamaica women’s lacrosse.
“It’s a sight to see, and there is nowhere for this programme to go but up. In the lacrosse world, we are going to be causing chaos for years to come in the best possible way.”
Jamaica, ranked 21st in the world, will f ace Hong Kong, England, Japan and Ireland in the group stages of the tournament with the top two sure to advance.
Erwin said the team is confident they can impress in the tournament. She is not worried about what may come from any opponent they will face.
“I honestly don’t think about that. I’ve done my research on the teams in our pool and I know what my team needs to be successful. We are coming in confident and ready to put our best foot forward, and that’s all I can ask from these girls.”
The team is in a training camp ahead of the tournament and Erwin said there is much progress to show for it.
Expectations will be high for Jamaica who are seeking to i mprove on their debut performance in 2019 when the team finished 21st overall.
Erwin said there was still a way to go if the players hope to achieve their goal.
“My expectations are very high, and my girls know that. But even though my expectations are high, this is our time to make mistakes and correct them,” she said.
“The team isn’t 100 per cent there yet, but that’s why we’re in training camp. The girls have a bond like no other team I’ve seen before, so playing with each other and working hard together is natural for them.”
OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A LEGACY
The championship is not only important for Erwin as a coach but also as an athlete.
Erwin said this gives her the opportunity to create a legacy in lacrosse as she also plays for Jamaica’s senior team.
She said it has been a privilege to be able to pass on her knowledge and passion for the sport to the next generation of players who will matriculate to the senior programme.
“It’s of the utmost importance to me,” she explained.
“I want my girls to be the team that other teams want to be like. Win or lose, they band together and do what they need to do to make their country proud.
“They know I’ve done my time and that I’ve done the work, and now I’m passing everything I know down to them and making sure they’re mentally prepared as well as physically prepared for one of the biggest events in their lacrosse career.”
Jamaica will first face Hong Kong on August 15 before closing off the group stage against Ireland on August 19.