Community laxers compete at Canada Games
Kahnawake’s Ryan Stacey and Team Quebec’s U17 women’s lacrosse team did not have the best Canada Games in terms of results, but it was still a great experience. Courtesy Quebec Lacrosse
The Canada Games are in full swing in St. John’s. Newfoundland, with women’s box lacrosse being one of the marquee sports of the first week of the games.
Kahnawake and Kanesatake laxers are a part of Team Quebec at the Games. Ryan Stacey and Jayla White are representing Kahnawake, while Skanaie:’a Serena Ionescu of Kanesatake is serving as backup goaltender.
Selena Beauvais, who coached in Kanesatake’s minor lacrosse association this year, is also in St. John’s, as an assistant coach for Team Quebec.
While Team Quebec has not had the best results on the scoresheet so far - finishing the round-robin portion of the tournament with an 0-4 record after losses to Ontario (12-4), Nova Scotia (6-1), British Columbia (10-2), and Alberta (6-1) before losing 13-0 in the quarterfinals to Nova Scotia - Stacey and Ionescu said they are proud to be at the Canada Games in the first place.
“Even though we aren’t winning, it’s still a great experience. You meet a lot of new people and make friendships that last while playing the game you love,” said Stacey, who has scored two goals for Team Quebec.
“Just the experience of coming to play in the Canada Games has been a lot of fun.”
For Ionescu, while she has not appeared in any games, she still is taking the opportunity to learn seriously.
“I am a backup, and I’m okay with that, it gives me the opportunity to watch, learn, and grow. I also warm up the girls, so I do still get shots, but I came knowing I was a backup and what that means,” said Ionescu.
That learning includes mentorship from starting goalie Koralie Simard.
“She has shown me some tips for pre-game, in-game, and post-game,” said Ionescu.
Beauvais said the focus of the coaching staff was for the girls to put in maximum effort into each game, no matter the result.
“As long as you go out there and give it your all, that’s all we can ask for as coaches,” she said.
Stacey said she has taken that approach to heart. “My coaches are great, they motivate us to play strong, keep moving, not give up, whatever the score of the game is,” said Stacey.
Beauvais, who is in her first year of coaching lacrosse, did not initially realize the scope of the Canada Games.
“When we were walking in for the opening ceremony, I didn’t realize how big this event was,” said Beauvais.
“Even for the start of our first game I got tears in my eyes, it was a surreal moment.”
Both Stacey and Ionescu agreed that it’s been a special experience so far.
“It was a great opportunity to come here and participate, it’s a really beautiful place to visit,” said Stacey.
“The games have been an amazing experience so far and I’m immensely grateful to be here,” said Ionescu.
While it is played inside, box lacrosse has been affected by the current wildfires in the Maritimes provinces.
Due to Monday night’s evacuation orders in the Town of Paradise near Paddy’s Pond, box lacrosse games starting on Tuesday were moved to DF Barnes Arena in St. John’s proper.
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Team Quebec has played its last game of the tournament, the consolation game against Team New Brunswick, on August 14, after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline.
Men’s box lacrosse will start on August 19 at the Games, with Kahnawake laxers Tioháhes Morris, Rome Delisle, Rowehrenhatie Jacobs, Leland Lahache, and Jackson Norton on the roster.
