ONTARIO WOMEN'S FIELD LACROSSE
History
1978
When interest in box lacrosse took a nosedive in the late 1970's and early 1980's, Paul and Stan Gilkinson of Etobicoke looked around for an alternative. In 1978, they established the first women's field lacrosse club in Canada, the Etobicoke Tomahawks. They played two games at Colgate University against the JV and Varsity teams and then competed in the New England District USWLA tournament. 23 of the top box lacrosse players representing all the major lacrosse centres around Ontario participated (Peterborough, Scarborough, Whitby, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Hamilton, Brantford, Wallaceburg, and Cornwall) along with one player from Nova Scotia.
1979
The Etobicoke Tomahawks club continued with play against Colgate and a tournament at the University of Rochester. The team also hosted a high school all-star team from New England and played at Lamport Stadium and Havergal College in Toronto.
1980
Building on the success of the late 1970's, the first women’s field lacrosse house league in Canada was formed in Ontario. The league ran during the spring to minimize any interference with the box lacrosse season. The four teams were the Toronto Stix, Etobicoke Eclipse, Etobicoke Tomahawks, and the Mississauga Wings. The league developed players for the Provincial team, that competed at the South District USWLA tournament in Baltimore.
1981
The fledgling Ontario Women's Lacrosse League added one more team in 1981, the Durham Angels, while other Ontario centres, like Wallaceburg, were also developing their own field programs. A five-team Provincial Championship was held in Etobicoke, and the Provincial Team had their first taste of international competition, hosting a touring Celtic team comprising players from Wales and Scotland. This was the first “international” game played in Canada. The team also played in the USWLA tournament in Worthington, Ohio. The Provincial and Reserve teams were hosted at Lafayette College for a tournament weekend involving college teams from the Philadelphia region (including Princeton).
1982
The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) no longer recognized the women's National box lacrosse championships and no tournament was held. That same year, the field lacrosse league disbanded and only three teams challenged for the Provincial Field Championship. There was however, a silver lining for women's lacrosse in 1982, as Canada won a bronze medal in World Cup play in Nottingham, England. Ontario was well represented on the team with six players – Barb Boyes, Gail Cummings, Marie Gilkinson, Kerri Hardill, Noreen Lem and Julie Norton. Paul Gilkinson was an assistant coach with the Canadian Team. The head coach of Canada’s first entry into World Cup play was Courtney Solenberger, who at the time coached at Lafayette College. This was the first IFWLA World Cup of Women’s Lacrosse. The Provincial Team played with 2 players from BC at the USWLAs in Washington, DC.
1983
The house league was discontinued, but the Provincial Team continued and competed at the first Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships held in Montreal, PQ, placing second of three provinces (BC,ON,PQ). After playing a key role in the development of women's lacrosse, the Golden Horseshoe Girls Lacrosse League disbanded that year. However, women's field lacrosse crossed another frontier when a few Ontario high school took up the sport. High schools would become Ontario's spawning ground for future Provincial and National team players.
1984
Ontario changed places with Quebec in the National rankings, bringing home the bronze medal from the Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships held again in Montreal, PQ. A High School tournament was held at the Etobicoke Centennial between West Humber Collegiate (Rexdale) and Lorne Park (Mississauga).
1985
The Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse Council was formed and Noreen Lem became the first Chairperson. Development initiatives were focussed on the High School and Provincial Team programs. The Provincial Team, coached by Paul Gilkinson, travelled to Saskatoon, SK for the Canadian Championships where six provinces competed. Ontario regained possession of second place, while British Columbia remained on top for the third straight year. A High School tournament was held at Etobicoke Centennial between Eastdale C.I. (Oshawa), Lorne Park and Peterborough, C.V.I.
1986
Canada competed at the 2nd IFWLA World Cup in Philadelphia, PA. The two Ontario players on the roster, Gail Cummings and Julie Norton, were the only two Canadians selected to the unofficial All-Star Team. Canada finished in fourth place. Tom Santos took over as coach of the Ontario Team. Ontario hosted the Monmouth Haberdashers from Wales, and played the World Champion Australian Team and a team made up of National players from England, Scotland and Wales following the World Cup at a tournament in Niagara Falls, NY. At the Canadian Championships held in Calgary, Alberta later that summer, where a record-setting seven provinces competed. Ontario won the bronze medal. A mini-league involving girls between the ages of 11-16 was initiated with teams in Orangeville, Hamilton and Ottawa and coached by Provincial players who travelled to conduct weekly practices and coach games. Students from Albert College (Belleville), Lorne Park (Mississauga) and Kernahan Park (St. Catharines) participated in the first High School Championships held at Lakeview Park in Oshawa, with Lorne Park taking first place.
1987
The annual “Jamboree” got its start with help from a grant from the Ministry of Tourism & Recreation. Former US National Team Coach, Jackie Pitts and former Canadian Coach Carol Patterson, provided instruction for over 150 students from 14 schools. Several dozen new sticks were purchased with the grant money, as all but 4 schools were experiencing lacrosse for the first time at the Jamboree. The Lakeshore House League started in Ajax with three teams. The 1st Annual Ontario Invitational Tournament was held at Havergal College in Toronto with a team from Quebec, the US Squad, and a team comprised of high school students from Ontario competing. With several future World Cup Champions on the squad, the tournament was won by the US Squad. The Ontario team travelled to the USWLAs in PA, and then to the Canadian Championships in Richmond, BC where Ontario captured the silver. The High School Championships increased to 5 teams – Albert, Lorne Park, Ajax HS, Denis O’Connor (Ajax), and a team comprised of players from a number of different schools. This team, known as the HAMS with such future National Team players as Anne Windover, Troyhanne Santos and Vessy Mochikas went on to win the tournament.
1988
Joanne Stanga became the new OWFL Chairperson. Ontario hosted the IFWLA Annual Conference at Havergal College, welcoming delegates from around the world. The Ontario team hosted a Wales high school team in addition to a Celtic Touring Team, on which legendary World Cup star Vivien Jones played. The team travelled to tournaments in DE, PA, MB and ended their season at the Canadian Championships in Montreal, winning silver. New schools at the High School Championships were Henry Street (Whitby) and G.L. Roberts (Oshawa). Denis O’Connor began it’s five year reign of the title with shooting star and future Old Dominion top scorer (NCAA Div I), Anne Windover leading the way.
1989
Team Canada travelled to Perth, Australia for the 3rd IFWLA World Cup with Barb Boyes as assistant coach, and Gail Cummings and Julie Norton representing Ontario in the lineup. Gail was Canada’s top point-getter. Barb Boyes began her first of nine years as coach of the Ontario Team. The team played host to a team from Durham University, England and travelled to Shippensburg, PA, Long Island, NY and finally Regina, SK for the Canadian Championships. Five provinces were represented at the Championships and Ontario returned with a bronze. Six schools were represented at the High School Championships, with Port Perry coming on board as the newest school.
1990
Ontario hosted the Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships for the first time at York University and played to a silver medal in the four province competition. A second division was held for the first time and became the forerunner to what would eventually become the Junior Division. Joanne Stanga coached Ontario’s entry, in her first of nine season’s with the Provincial Junior team throughout the ‘90’s. Also in this “B” Division were teams from BC and Osaka, Japan. The Ontario Team travelled to BC for a tournament that was part of the province’s celebration of 100 years of lacrosse in BC, and to tournaments in Boston, Vail, Buffalo and Winnipeg. In High School play, the Championship Tournament was run in two divisions – Varsity and JV. Seven schools were involved and Denis O’Connor was the winner for the third straight year. Jane Acton was the first Canadian umpire to receive her International rating.
1991
Girls field lacrosse was sanctioned by LOSSA athletics (Durham Region School Board) and becomes the first high school league in Canada. The six schools participating were Ajax HS, Denis O’Connor (Ajax), Henry Street (Whitby), Port Perry HS, G.L. Roberts (Oshawa), Peryma (Oshawa), Central (Oshawa). D’OC won for the fourth consecutive year. The Ontario Seniors travelled to the Judy Moon Invitational in Winnipeg, and were joined by the Ontario B Team at the Canadian Championships in Maple Ridge, BC. The Senior team won silver, and the Ontario “B” team defeated BC in a best 2 out of three series to win the “B” division of the tournament.
1992
Women’s Field Lacrosse became part of the Ontario Summer Games for the first time. The Games were held in Scarborough and the four teams that competed in this inaugual event were (in order of final rank) Ontario “B”, Durham Region, Essex and Peterborough. These were the first games played by the Essex and Peterborough teams. The Ontario “B’s” became an official Junior (19-and-under) program and travelled to Regina, SK for the Queen City Classic. The Seniors travelled to Maryland, Colorado, and California for tournaments. The 10th Annual Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships were held in Calgary, AB. Three provinces were represented in the “B” Division where Ontario defeated Saskatchewan by 2 goals to win the final. The Senior Team came close to dethroning BC losing in a 8-6 final. Eight schools played in the LOSSA high school league won by Denis O’Connor for a record-setting 5th straight year. 20 umpires took part in a rating clinic year.
1993
Ontario hosted the Canadian Championships for the second time at the Civic Fields in Oshawa. The Seniors lost what was probably the best final in Canadian history in double overtime to BC. The Junior team defeated Saskatchewan to win the “B” division. Earlier in the season, the Seniors won Division III at the USWLAs in PA. There were 10 schools competing in the LOSSA League and the finals were won by Anderson C.V.I (Whitby), with Jennifer Johnson, future Penn State player (NCAA Div I) and All-American in the line-up. Team Canada travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland for the 3rd IFWLA World Championships. As Head Coach and Assistant Coach respectively, Barb Boyes and Lori Livingston lead Canada, including four Ontario players - Kerri Hardill, Margot Jacobs, Audrey Kelly, and Anne Windover to a fourth place finish. Anne Windover was one of the tournament’s top five scorers. The Canadian Lacrosse Association celebrated its 125th anniversary.
1994
OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the first time to recognise a graduating student showing the potential for long-term involvement in the sport of lacrosse; developing leadership qualities through participation in school and community activities; and planning to continue her education at a post-secondary institution. Diana Lee of Donevan Collegiate (Oshawa) was the first recipient. The LOSSA Championships were won by Anderson C.V.I for a second year. Roxanne Curtis joined the coaching staff of the Provincial Junior Program. The Junior Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships become an officially sanctioned CLA event. Five provinces took part in the inaugural tournament held in conjunction with the Senior Championships in Regina, SK. Ontario sent two Junior teams, and the A Team went on to defeat BC in overtime to win the Kyle Cup and the first Canadian Junior Championship. The Ontario Senior team prepared for Nationals with trips to Philadephia and Vail and hosted a touring team from the University of London (England). After eleven years of BC rule, Ontario finally broke through to capture the gold medal and the Robertson Cup at the Canadian Championships. The first university women’s lacrosse games were organized by Heather Simms at Queen’s and involved club teams from York University, Wilfred Laurier, Queen’s, Carleton, U of T and Brock. The Ontario Summer Games were held for the second time in Nepean. Oshawa defeated Whitby in the gold medal final, while London/Kitchener defeated Peterborough in the bronze medal final. The 1994 Commonwealth Games were held in Victoria, BC where lacrosse was a demonstration sport. On the women’s side,18 Ontario players were among the top 48 players in Canada chosen for the three team tournament, along with 2 Ontario coaches (Barb Boyes and Joanne Stanga) and 2 officials (Jane Acton and Molly McIntyre).
1995
Canada sent an U-19 National Team to the inaugural IFWLA U-19 World Championship held in Haverford, PA. Thirteen Ontario players made the final roster: Erin Brady, Colette Chaput, Paula Drinkle, Claire Griffin, Lauren Gulka, Kristy Holt, Jennifer Johnson, Tami Jones, Sarah McGoey, Tania Paulozza, Kylee Reade, Jennifer Shannon, Naomi Walser, and Joanne Stanga as assistant coach and Cheryl MacNeill as Manager. Jane Acton was an umpire at the Championships. Canada was defeated by England in the bronze medal game in double overtime. Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse produced a 15-minute video title “Introduction to Women’s Lacrosse” with the financial assistance of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and Government of Ontario. It was the first Canadian production of its kind. Ontario hosted the Canadian Women’s Field Lacrosse Championships for the third time at Durham College in Oshawa. Ontario Seniors and Juniors defended their titles for the second consecutive year. In preparation, the Seniors had travelled to New Jersey for the USWLAs, to Vail, and hosted a team from Oxford University, England. The Juniors played in an exhibition series of games in Cleveland and Buffalo. The LOSSA league was won by Anderson C.V.I. for the third consecutive year. The High School All-Star Game was held for the first time and featured the top lacrosse players from the LOSSA league. A development camp was run for the players by former Canadian Team player and All-American Gail Cummings-Danson. The OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the second time to Tania Paulozza of Ajax H..S. Cheryl MacNeill became the first convenor in the first official year of University lacrosse with eight schools competing. Several new Junior teams around the province started to develop, including Arthur, Burlington, London, Kitchener, St. Catharines, Six Nations and teams played in several “game days” over the course of the summer.
1996
The Provincial Team Program adopted a new philosophy, “to develop the best lacrosse players not just in the province but in the country.” The 8-a-side league for Provincial Team players had it’s first year. After an 8 year absence, the Ontario Invitational Tournament re-emerges, won by … The Ontario Juniors hosted the Haberdasher Aske’s School for Girls, played at the Nichols School Tournament in Buffalo, travelled to Cleveland for the annual Exhibition Series, and played at the Annapolis, Maryland All-Star Express. The Seniors travelled to Boston for the USWLAs. At the Canadian Championships in Vancouver, BC, the Seniors took revenge for their overtime loss of ‘93 and held on in another exciting overtime final to defeat BC 11-9 to capture their 3rd consecutive National Title. The Ontario Juniors defeated Saskatchewan and also held on to their National title. The LOSSA league crowned a new champion – Donevan Collegiate (Oshawa). The OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the fourth year to Paula Drinkle of Donevan Collegiate. The Ontario Summer Games were held in London, and the six U-20 club teams went through a series of qualifying tournaments to decide the final four for the Summer Games tournament. The final four in order of final standings were Durham Region, Six Nations, Kitchener-Waterloo and Peterborough. The University league ran in two divisions –east and west and then met on Championship weekend. York won the Patterson Cup (Division I) and Guelph won Division II.
1997
Canada competed at the 4th IFWLA World Championships in Edogawa, Japan, with eight Ontario players – Colette Chaput, Tami Jones, Audrey Kelly, Grace Oddi, Tania Paulozza, Lesley Quirk, Troyhann Santos and Naomi Walser. The team placed fifth. Ontario hosted the Canadian Championships for the fourth time in eight years, and would be the final Championships of the century. The Ontario Seniors and Juniors claimed the National title for the fourth consecutive year. The Juniors hosted English teams from Berkhamsted School, Bedford H.S. and St. Swithuns School for Girls and travelled to Buffalo, NY, Cleveland, OH and Annapolis, MD. The Seniors travelled to Philadelphia, Vail, and Williamsburg, VA for the William & Mary Tournament. The Ontario Invitational is run as a Junior tournament and is won by the Onatrio Juniors. The Ontario U-20 Girls Field Lacrosse League became an officially OLA sanctioned league. In the league’s inaugural year, the teams competing were Durham Region, Kitchener-Waterloo, Orillia, Orangeville, Owen Sound, St. Catharines and Six Nations. The Stanga Trophy, named for Joanne Stanga, the league’s first convenor, was presented for the first time to the U-20 Provincial Champions in the A Division to Durham Region. Six Nations won the B Division. The OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the fourth year to Jessica Lee of Donevan C.V.I. The LOSSA Championships were won by Sinclair S.S.
1998
After fifteen seasons, the Canadian Championships were not held. In its place, the Ontario Invitational Tournament became bigger than ever with a Senior and Junior division. The Ontario Seniors captured the Senior title and the Canadian U-19 Team B won the Junior division. Ontario teams hosted English touring teams from Cambridge University and Wycombe Abbey. The Provincial teams travelled to Baltimore, Williamsburg, Cleveland and Annapolis for tournaments throughout the season. The Ontario Summer Games girls lacrosse competition featured the top four teams from the 10-team Ontario U-20 League, and the final Summer Games standings were: Kawartha, Guelph, Six Nations, Orangeville. The Provincial “A” Champions were Kawartha. The “B” Division Champions, Durham Region, were awarded the Vince Gilkinson Memorial Trophy, a trophy once awarded to the top girls’ box lacrosse teams in Ontario. 1998: Paul Gilkinson was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Builder category. The OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the fifth year to Sandy Palumbo from Leo Austin (Whitby). LOSSA crowned yet another new Champion – Fr. Leo Austin C.S.S. from Whitby. The University League gained OUA status and the Patterson Cup was awarded to the new OUA Champions – Queen’s. As a result of the efforts and organisation by Tony Bennett, U-15 teams from Brampton, Orillia and Six Nations and played for the first time in exhibition games throughout the summer.
1999
Canada competed at the 2nd IFWLA U-19 World Championships in Perth, Australia with 15 Ontario players – Stephanie Allen, Jessica Brownridge, Jen Cassidy, Cheryl Dunford, Amy Galbraith, Lindsey Hart, Lynz Keys Les Maybury, Ingrid Mouncey, Nicole Mouncey, Les Reiart, Jill Shannon, Kristy Wasson, Jess Williams and Shannon Wilson – and 3 coaches, Joanne Stanga, Roxanne Curtis and Cheryl MacNeill. Molly McIntyre and Donna Misener were umpires at the Championships. Canada won bronze. As a result of the numerous international entries, the Ontario Invitational was renamed the OWL International. The Canadian U-19s won the Senior division and the Junior Division was won by the Ontario Juniors. The Ontario Juniors hosted the Haberdasher Aske’s from England, and travelled to Buffalo, Cleveland and Annapolis. The Seniors competed at tournaments in Virginia and Ohio. The Ontario U-20 Girls Field Lacrosse League Division “A” Champions were Kawartha and Division “B” was won by Durham Region. The OWFL Scholarship was awarded for the sixth time to Stephanie Allen from The Woodlands School (Mississauga). Barb Boyes and Gail Cummings-Danson were inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Builder and Player respectively.