From the Glenelg Turf to the Global Mic: A Surreal Journey at the APLU Qualifiers

There’s been a bit of chatter that I traveled to Wellington specifically to jump on the headset for the 2026 APLU World Championship Qualifiers. While I’m flattered by the assumption, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The reality is much more serendipitous: I genuinely came here to watch.

I was in Wellington, New Zealand for work, with my next job in Auckland lined up for the following week. I’m a fan of this game first and foremost, and I was looking forward to sitting in the stands and enjoying world-class lacrosse as a spectator. But, as it turns out, the APLU had other plans.

The "Right Place, Right Time" Moment

While I was taking in the atmosphere, the Vice President of the APLU, Albert Lai, spotted me in the crowd. He approached me and asked, "Peter, are you here to commentate?"  When I explained I was just there between jobs, his response was immediate: "If you're here, we should get you to commentate."

That one chance encounter turned my "fan weekend" into a professional whirlwind. I ended up calling both the Bronze and Gold Medal games, broadcasting to a global audience via World Lacrosse TV.

A Journey Decades in the Making

What made this week even more special were the constant reminders of where I came from. My old friend Luke Roberts shared a newspaper clipping from the very first ASPAC tournament (the predecessor to the APLU). It featured a match at my home ground at the time, the Glenelg Lacrosse Club, where a "ragtag" bunch called Team Adelaide took on the Korean National Team. It was a proud moment to see that both Luke and I received special mentions in the article for our play that day.

Looking back at that clipping, I couldn't help but reflect on the "what ifs." At that stage of my life, there was a sense that had I trialled for the Australian team, I might have had a real shot at wearing the green and gold. However, circumstances at the time meant I never made it to those trials. It’s a strange feeling to look back at a fork in the road, but it made standing in that commentary booth feel like a different kind of "selection"—a chance to serve the sport from the mic rather than the field.

Unknown Family Connections

The connection to the past went even deeper in the stands. Two gentlemen approached me, saying they knew my family. In Australia, lacrosse is a small world, and the Greenhalgh family has been part of the South Australian community for over 70 years.

They were the Bartons. Bill Barton Sr. was instrumental in establishing the (now defunct) Southern Districts Lacrosse Club, working alongside my grandparents, Basil and Rosalie, and a dedicated group of other founders who built that club from the ground up. His son, Bill Barton Jr., used to hang out at my dad’s house at O’Sullivan’s Beach.

When I told my mum, she even remembered a photo of Bill Jr. and me playing together as kids (a photo I have her hunting down)! Bill Jr., the father of current Australian star keeper Jae Bidwell-Barton, shared a hilarious memory of a match where we met halfway in Mount Gambier when he played for Surrey Park Lacrosse Club and I at Glenelg. They are sister clubs0. Apparently, as a "scrawny kid," I managed to knock the much larger Bill Jr. over with a body check—a moment my dad didn't let him live down!

Me on the left, Bill Barton Senior and Bill Barton Junior, both amazing givers to the sport of lacrosse.

A Permanent Record: Then and Now

It is incredible to look back at the last twelve months. This time last year, I was the "Stats Man" for the Women’s Qualifiers on the Sunshine Coast. To go from managing data to being the Play-by-Play lead for an international final was a thrill I’ll never forget.

The most surreal part? Opening the World Lacrosse Facebook page and hearing my own voice narrating the official highlight videos.

There is a beautiful symmetry to it all. Just as that yellowed newspaper clipping from decades ago serves as a permanent record of my involvement in the very first ASPACs, my voice on these global broadcasts now serves as a permanent record of this new era of the sport. From the ink on the page to the audio on the digital highlights, I’m honored to have the Greenhalgh legacy woven into the history of this game once again.

With Gratitude

This experience wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of people moving very quickly behind the scenes. My sincere thanks to:

• Deb and the NZ Lacrosse team for their incredible hospitality and for facilitating the introduction to the broadcast crew.

• Chopper and the In The Dugout sports broadcasting team for welcoming me into the fold.

• Ash Stevens from Ash Stevens Sportscasting, the Australian Lacrosse Network, and World Lacrosse TV.

The messages of support from my kids at home and Carly Luke (Lacrosse Australia Media Manager) meant the world to me. Finally, a massive thank you to Tony Watts. Tony introduced me to this side of the sport and has mentored me every step of the way. Because of his guidance, I felt ready to say "yes" when Albert approached me.

Moving On to Auckland

As I head to Auckland for my next job, I’m leaving Wellington with a heavy suitcase and a light heart. It was an honor to witness the growth of lacrosse in the Asia-Pacific region from the best seat in the house—even if I didn't know I'd be sitting there when I arrived!

To everyone who tuned in: Thank you. See you at the next face-off!