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It may be the off-season, but that will not stop Indyah Williams from lacing up her worn, tinted-pink cleats and heading onto the lacrosse field with an exciting prospect on the horizon.
Key points:
South Australian lacrosse players are preparing for Olympic selectionLacrosse will be included as a medal sport at the LA 2028 Summer OlympicsPlayers say its inclusion brings opportunity
Her dedication is in pursuit of her new goal, to be an Olympian.
The midfielder was in disbelief when she heard lacrosse, the sport she had grown up with, would return to the world stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Obviously you can’t say no to an opportunity like this,” Williams said.
“To say you’ve played in the Olympics would be pretty cool.”
Lacrosse returns to the Olympics after appearing twice as a medal sport, once in 1904 and once in 1908 and featured as a demonstration sport in Amsterdam in 1928, Los Angeles in 1932 and London in 1948.
This time around, women’s lacrosse will be on the Olympic stage for the first time.
“Honestly, it doesn’t seem real,” Williams said.
“To have the Olympics as an option for juniors is insane.”
Williams is the third generation of her family to wear the green and gold for Australia, but will be the first to have a shot at Olympic selection.
“My mum has played for Australia, my poppy has, and to know that everyone leading up to this has been a part of creating this for everyone to come, is pretty special,” she said.
The next piece needed in Australia’s Olympic puzzle will be a head coach, who will need to be prepared for the four-year journey to LA.
Trish Adams, who took Australia’s women to the 2022 World Games, is eager to step up.
“It’s certainly something I would love to be considered for,” she said.
“But what is most important to me is Australia putting its best foot forward.”
For Australia to be on the front foot, the sport needs funding.
“Sponsors are next to none, and we have to work pretty hard for it,” Adams said.
“Obviously, we’re hopeful that this will bring some recognition which will enable the girls to focus more on their lacrosse and preparation rather than working, studying full-time to allow them to pursue their athletic career.”
Adams said she hoped the Olympics brought opportunity and more visibility of the sport.
“I would love it if I say ‘I play lacrosse’ and people actually know what I’m talking about,” she said.
So what is lacrosse?
The game’s origins can be traced back to the 12th century, played by Native Americans for centuries before European contact.
In the 1800s, the game was codified and became a 10-a-side sport.
The Olympic version will be six-a-side on a smaller ground.
“Sixes is a fast, athletic style game and I think it is great for the fans,” Adams said.
With eight-minute quarters, fewer players and a 30-second shot clock, sixes was designed to incorporate the most exciting elements of the sport.
Williams, Adams, along with her sister Jen, have already experienced the new format at an international level at the 2022 World Games in Alabama, where Australia took bronze.
“I don’t think the exposure has been there yet but as soon as it does, it’s going to catch like wildfire,” Jen Adams said.
While Jen and Trish Adams realise coaching will provide their best avenue to the Olympics, 26-year-old Olivia Parker, who also played at the World Games, should still be in her prime in 2028.
Parker won the national best and fairest title in 2021, and has twice been voted most valuable player at the national championships.
“It’s definitely given me more aspiration to train hard, work harder, for the potential of being an Olympian,” she said.
“It definitely could be my only shot, and I’ll be working so hard for the next four-to-five years to really push for that position in the Olympic team.”
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