Teams: Zone teams from LWA, LSA, LV and invitation to New Zealand teams

Venue: Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility (Morshead Stadium) - Ballarat - Hosted by the Ballarat & Goldfields Lacrosse League

Participation Framework Phase: Talent: T1

The U15 Boys’ and Girls’ National Tournament is first opportunity for young (12-15 yo) players to be a part of a representative team. This event sits under the Talent phase 1: Demonstration of Potential of our National Participation Framework.

At this level, talent is identified via zone trials. Identified players are then invited to take part in the 8-10 week zone training program which leads into the tournament.

Development is the underpinning philosophy of the tournament and program (for players, coaches and officials). Players are exposed to more advanced skills where they will have the opportunity to, firstly, learn the skills and secondly, apply them in a higher-pressure environment. As for players tactical awareness, players will be presented with different and new offensive and defensive structures compared to Junior Club competition. Players will be required to anticipate and read cues to identify and effectively implement and contribute to the team’s structures and set plays.

Zone teams, that compete at the U15 National Tournament, are made up of players from clusters of clubs, which means players have the opportunity to form new social connections with players from other clubs. As part of these new social connections, players will develop respect for each other, be motivated by setting team goals, form collaborative relationships with new teammates and appreciate the difference in everybody’s thinking. All this occurs on and off the field, especially when traveling interstate as a team.