Perth Hosts the Future of Australian Lacrosse: U15 National Championships Recap

The future of Australian lacrosse was on dazzling display last week as the nation's brightest young talent converged on Western Australia for the 2025 Lacrosse Australia Boys and Girls Under 15 National Championship. Hosted by the Wembley Lacrosse Club in Perth, the tournament ran from Sunday, September 28, to Saturday, October 4, bringing together zone representative teams from across the country for a week of fierce competition and sporting camaraderie.

As the premier junior event on the Lacrosse Australia calendar, the Under 15 National Championship serves as a crucial launchpad for the sport's next generation. It's where national selectors spot rising stars and where lifelong friendships—and rivalries—are forged. With every pass, catch, and goal, these athletes not only played for the coveted national titles but also took their first major steps on the national high-performance pathway. This year’s event delivered an unforgettable spectacle, showcasing the depth of skill and passion growing within the sport.

The Road to Glory: Teams and Competition Format

The 2025 tournament was marked by intense competition and a diverse field, with multiple zone teams battling for supremacy. The girls' division featured 10 teams, including the WA Stars, WA Flames, VIC Fire, VIC Ice, and South Australian contingents, plus the international flair of the NZ Sirens from Waikato.

The boys' division was equally stacked, featuring the WA Northern Thunder, WA Southern Braves, VIC Western Metro, VIC Northern Warriors, VIC Southern Crosse, SA Phantoms, SA Stingrays, and the composite Buccaneers.

The Girls' Championship: A South Australian Dynasty Continues

The final showcase for the girls delivered a fitting climax to the week-long event. The Girls' Grand Final saw a captivating interstate clash as SA Lightning from South Australia went head-to-head with VIC Ice from Victoria.

The Lightning's offence was unstoppable, ignited by a huge run of goals from their dynamic tournament lead goal scorer, Ava Gibson (Sturt Lacrosse Club). Her clinical finishing and tactical play provided a gap that the tenacious VIC Ice squad, despite their relentless effort, simply couldn't close. The final whistle confirmed SA Lightning's dominance, securing them the 2025 Girls' National Championship title.

This victory was particularly significant for South Australian lacrosse, marking their fourth consecutive post-COVID championship win in the girls' division. This incredible streak began with the Comets taking the title in 2022 and 2023, followed by the Storm in 2024, and now the Lightning in 2025—an achievement that underscores the enduring strength of the state's junior development program.

Ava Gibson from Lightning takes on Shai Carroll from Ice - Image @2fold1 (Wiremu Gemmell)

The Boys' Championship: Warriors Secure a Thriller

The boys' tournament featured an incredible level of parity, particularly in the run to the final. The pool rounds saw the VIC Northern Warriors and the VIC Western Metro emerge as the two undefeated teams, while the SA Stingrays and the SA Phantoms took the crucial second spots.

The intense semi-final phase was a testament to the competition's high level. While the Northern Warriors secured one Grand Final spot with two decisive victories, the remaining semi-final pool—where the Stingrays beat the Phantoms, the Phantoms beat Metro, and Metro had earlier beaten the Stingrays—created a three-way tie decided solely on goal difference. The SA Phantoms navigated this complex scenario to earn their place in the final.

The championship showdown pitted the Victorians against the South Australians: the VIC Northern Warriors versus the SA Phantoms. The Phantoms started strong, jumping to an early lead, but the Northern Warriors showcased their quality, pegging the lead back and establishing an advantage of their own. The Phantoms, however, refused to relent, slowly chipping away at the deficit to bring the difference back to just one goal, where the score remained until the final whistle. The VIC Northern Warriors held on for a thrilling one-goal victory.

Leading the charge for the Victorian champions was Eli Crivelli from Eltham Lacrosse Club, whose exceptional performance in the decisive match earned him the well-deserved title of Grand Final MVP. Crivelli's efforts ensured the Warriors took home the 2025 Boys' National Championship title in a classic interstate battle.

Jonathon Mills from Phantoms takes on his opponent from the Warriors - image Hayley Mills Photography

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Australian Lacrosse

The 2025 Lacrosse Australia Boys and Girls Under 15 National Championship was a resounding success, highlighting the incredible growth and energy within junior lacrosse. The week in Perth was a celebration of athletic endeavour, showcasing the champions—the dominant SA Lightning and the tenacious VIC Northern Warriors—and every young player who took the field.

From the historic Grand Final victories and MVP-winning performances to the spirit of sportsmanship demonstrated by all competing states and the New Zealand visitors, the tournament provided a clear look at the bright future of the sport. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, officials, and the host Wembley Lacrosse Club for making the 2025 Championships an unforgettable experience and a vital step in the development of Australia's next generation of international lacrosse talent.