Allen & Newmarch appointed to lead inaugural Australian U16 Sixes Teams
Lacrosse Australia has today announced the appointment of Gareth Allen and Sascha Newmarch, as head coaches of the inaugural Australian Under 16 Sixes teams that will compete at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union Championship in Jeju, Korea from 26 August until 1st September.
Lacrosse Australia High Performance Director Samantha Macpherson, said that the organisation was thrilled with the appointment of such high-calibre coaches for our next generation of potential Olympians.
“I have been lucky enough to experience their passion for this age group and their drive to develop our next generation of Australian stars,” said Macpherson.
“We are looking forward to seeing what they can do with these groups over the coming months.”
Victorian-based Allen, who has played collegiately at Drexel University in the US, represented Australia on five occasions and offers an impressive executive sports management resume, said that it was an incredible honour to be appointed head coach of the Australian Under 16 Boys Sixes Lacrosse team.
“The sport of lacrosse has been remarkable kind to me, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping to develop the next generation of players,” said Allen.
“I’m really excited to provide a positive influence and to help these young athletes grow – not just as players, but as people. The Sixes format is fast, demanding and a great environment for learning. It will be fantastic to see how they rise to the challenge and potentially start building towards even bigger goals – like the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.”
South Australia-based Newmarch, who was vice captain of Australia’s gold medal-winning team in 2005, and a four-time National Champion and three-time All American during her collegiate career at the University of Maryland to name but a few of her accolades, said that it was a huge honour to be appointed head coach of the inaugural Australian Under 16 Girls Sixes Lacrosse team.
“I am delighted to guide this age group and witness their personal growth as high-performance lacrosse athletes and I am particularly excited about the opportunities ahead for them in this Olympic era,” said Newmarch.
“To be able to follow in the footsteps of several of my Australian teammates by giving back to a program that has positively shaped my life fills me with immense pride. My lacrosse journey has created unforgettable moments, lifelong friendships, and enabled me to travel and live overseas. It has also provided valuable skills and IQ that have transferred outside of lacrosse. These girls are young, but I aspire to share and model these qualities with them”
Newmarch said that, with the APLU Sixes Championships only seven weeks away, that she would be prioritising superior stickwork, fitness and lacrosse IQ to prepare the final roster of 12 for the tournament
“The girls can expect to work extremely hard, but there will also be a strong emphasis on having fun, building lasting friendships, and enjoying the experience,” said Newmarch.
“I can confidently assert that when you love what you do, your mindset thrives, making competing and playing at the elite level an exhilarating experience.”
“This championship represents the commencement of this group’s journey, and I look forward to collaborating with the coaching team to help shape their growth and create pathway opportunities that will contribute to the resurgence of Lacrosse Australia’s podium success.”
Following the recent combines in Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, the cohort of athletes selected to attend the Next Gen High Performance Invitational Camp will be announced later this week.
Allen and Newmarch will then select their final rosters for Korea.
“There’s something special about representing your country and I want these boys to feel that pride every time they step onto the field,” said Allen.
“We’ve got a great squad and I can’t wait to get started.”
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For any further media enquiries please contact Carly Luke, LA Media Liaison via media@lacrosse.com.au or +61 433 279 133