Local laxers win big at nationals 

The conclusion of the 2024 Canadian Box Lacrosse National Championships saw eight Kahnawa’kheró:non players win gold.

The tournament was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, from August 12-17 in the Co-operators Centre.

Teams from every province, as well as Team First Nations, competed in four age divisions to determine which squads would be on top of their category.

After six days of competition, Team First Nations walked away with first place in the boys’ U15 and U17 divisions.

Seven players from the community were a part of those teams: Rome Delisle, Ryder McComber, Kasyn Moses, and Ronwatsi’tsaienni Diabo for U15, and Dash Diabo, Jackson Norton, and Rahstatstatie Cross for U17.

In their finals, the U15 First Nations team won a close game against Team Manitoba. Down 5-0, then came back to break a 5-5 tie in the middle of the third period before adding an insurance goal less than a minute later to take home the Commissioner’s Trophy with a 7-5 win.

“It takes a special bunch to overcome something and come out on top, and that’s exactly what they did in the final game,” said their coach, Curtis Diabo.

Delisle, who assisted on the game-winning goal, isn’t quite satisfied with his own performance despite the win.

“I could have played better, played better defense, scored more,” said the 14-year-old.

Delisle scored eight points in seven games but believes his goal total of two could have been higher during the tournament.

He intends on playing and practicing as much as possible to prepare himself for next year.

“I’m going to play this winter and next summer, so I’ll be playing all year round. I really think that’s going to improve my skills.”

"As each game went on the boys got stronger on both ends of the floor, especially our defense,” said Diabo.

“The first game the boys were basically just getting to know each other but they jelled fairly quickly.”

Ronwatsi’tsaienni Diabo had three points in the tournament, all of which were goals. Moses scored five goals and one assist, while McComber tended goal in four games, including the semifinals and finals.

McComber didn’t start the finals game, but he ended them on a strong note.

Down by five after the first period, McComber was put into the game.

Manitoba didn’t score again.

“Ryder didn’t let anything in, and he allowed his team to get seven goals to get the win,” said Watio Kerry McComber, Ryder’s father. “To do that when there’s so much pressure, hats off to him. His teammates and the coaching staff were all so proud of him, and I’m so proud of him.”

His finals performance completed what was a great tournament for McComber, even after suffering an injury to his collarbone during his first game.

“Ryder had a great performance, especially in game one,” said Diabo. “He had to have faced 60 shots or so in just the first two periods.”

“What an experience for him, he loved it and he was so happy,” said McComber.

Meanwhile, Ryan Stacey won gold in the B division of the women’s U17 championship, playing for Team Quebec. Team Quebec competed for the B division title after they were eliminated from A division contention, as one of the bottom three teams of the age group.

Team Quebec defeated Team Manitoba 7-2 to take home the division title.

“I thought it was a really fun experience, there was a lot of good competition,” said Stacey.

Although Stacey is happy about the final result, she’s already thinking about the future.

“Next year is the Canada Games, and that’s even bigger than Nationals,” said the 13-year-old. Box lacrosse will be returning to the Canada Games in 2025 in St. Johns, which will include U17 women’s lacrosse for the first time in the history of the Games.

With big tournaments comes a lot of preparation.

“I’ll always have a stick in my hand, go down to the rink, and play with my family,” said Stacey, who like Delisle believes hard work and repetition will help her improve her skills.

Personal improvement is not the only thing Stacey is hopeful for, though.

“Hopefully, there will be a First Nations Team for Native girls,” said Stacey. Indeed, only men’s First Nations teams participated in nationals this year. No plans have been announced for the creation of a girls U17 team so far.

If that team did come to be, there is no doubt in her mind she would try out and play for them. As a 13-year-old playing U17 lacrosse, Stacey still has a few more years for that hope to come true.

The U17 Team First Nations won the Tackaberry Trophy by defeating Team Saskatchewan 8-4. Team Saskatchewan got the early lead, but Team First Nations scored four unanswered goals in the first period and never looked back.

Cross and Norton were both over a point per game, with Cross assisting on eight goals and adding one of his own in seven games and Norton scoring three times and adding five assists. Diabo registered four points, all assists in that span. All three had points in the finals game against Saskatchewan.

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