Teams

Our six team names and meaning: Bears, Bats, Hawks, Turtles, Deer and Flying Squirrels

Bear represents courage; having the courage to stand up to our fears and to have courage to stand up for others. We choose to take colours from the three bears we have in British Columbia and integrate them into the design. Using black to represent the black bear, brown to represent grizzlies and white to represent the Spirit Bear. (finishing 2nd in the 2023-2024 season)

Deer represent tenderness tempered with strength. This allows deer to act even when obstacles challenge the path, and to never back down. We choose to take the colours from the black tailed deer found all over B.C. (finishing 6th in the 2023-2024 season)

Turtle represent truth, and wisdom. That the learning from a journey can be more important than the destination. We choose to take the colours from only native turtles to B.C., the painted turtle. (finishing 4th in the 2023-2024 season)

Hawk represents determination, and focus. Coupled with its aerial agility, it provides the hawk with the ability to see prey at great distance and quietly fly with great speed towards their goal. We choose to take the colours from the Northern Goshawk that resides all over B.C. and are hard to see as they prefer to live away from civilization. (finishing 3rd in the 2023-2024 season)

Bat represents transition, and the start of a new beginning. As we enter into our second season, we are transitioning from what we have known for female box lacrosse to be, into another level of higher competition, ability and play. We choose to use the Silver- haired Bat native to BC.(finishing 5th in the 2023-2024 season)

Flying Squirrel represents keeping focus on one's dreams and goals. Each of us has dreams we are working towards both in our personal and lacrosse lives, because of the focus needed to help achieve these and the announcement that Women's Box lacrosse will be at the World level. We choose to use the Northern Flying Squirrel that is native to B.C. (League Champions for the 2023-2024 season)

Staff

Administration

Denise Forlin

Women's ALL West Commissioner

Emailallwestwomenscommissioner@gmail.com

Denise has been passionate about lacrosse and an active member in growing the game in BC for over 30 years. She has found ways to give back to the sport she loves through her endless commitment.

She currently runs Langley Senior B and C program with her daughter Jenn Forlin.

This is Denise's second season with the ALL West Women's and we continue to thank her for her involvement and advocating for the female side of lacrosse.

Denise brings years of experience with her, and has been a tremendous alley in growing opportunities for female lacrosse in BC and the creation of the ALL West Women's league.

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Christine Morrison

Assistant Commissioner

Emailallwestwomenscommissioner@gmail.com

Christine Morrison has been actively involved in lacrosse for over 15 years; findings ways to help give back to the sport she is passionate about while advocating for female lacrosse in B.C.

This is Christine's second season with the ALL West Women's and we continue to thank her for her involvement and advocating for the female side of lacrosse.

Christine brings years of experience in many different positions in various associations that she has been apart off. Which has aided in the delivery of the ALL West Women's and the continued growth we envision for female lacrosse in B.C.

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Savanna Smith

Emailallwestwomens@gmail.com

Savanna Smith has had the privilege of playing lacrosse since she was 5 years of age. She has played male box and field lacrosse; and has been the only female to make Team BC U-19 for men's field lacrosse. With the help of 4 women she was able to start a female field lacrosse in B.C. and helped create the community league that exists for females today within the lower main land. She graduated from La Salle University in 2014, where she played division 1 lacrosse as an attacker turned into a goalie.

Savanna currently is involved in the Senior Women's Box lacrosse league, as the Leagues Chair and runs New Westminster Senior Women's program. As well as Vancouver Women's field lacrosse program.

She has been coaching lacrosse since the age of 14, and currently coaches in Fusion West Lacrosse, community lacrosse and Indigenous lacrosse programs.

Savanna is one of the women behind the ALL West Women's division, and looks forward to continuing to grow the league and provide opportunities for female box lacrosse in British Columbia.

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Sean Reid

Coach Liaison

Coaches

Carla Putrus

Bats Co-Head Coach

Carla has had a passion for lacrosse, and a love of the game since she can remember. Playing both box lacrosse and field lacrosse during her career. Carla has been opening doors for women's lacrosse for many years, as a player and mentor. She continues to try and find ways to support women's lacrosse by sharing her knowledge with others.

She is currently on the executive for the Senior Women's Box Lacrosse League through the BCLA. As well as a player in the league, and helps with the management of her team.

Carla will be co-coaching ALL West Women's Team Bats with Colleen Kennedy, Katie Orchard and Gene Suzuki for the 2024-2025 Season!

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Gene Suzuki

Coach

Gene will be joining team Bats for the 2024-2025 season, alongside Carla Putrus, Kate Orchard and Colleen Kennedy!

Ryley Brown

Flying Squirrels Head Coach

Ryley joins the ALL West Women's coaching staff for the 2024-2025 season, and coaching Team Flying Squirrels.

Ryley will be joined by Don McGregor, Kevin Wade, Brodie Tarling and Jack Margetson to round out the coaching staff.

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Bruce Hollingshead

Hawks Co-Head Coach

Bruce will be Co-Head coaching ALL West Women's Team Hawks with Les Schmidt and Scott Mackenzie for the 2024-2025 Season!

Les Schmidt

Hawks Co-Head Coach

Les will be Co-Head coaching ALL West Women's Team Hawks with Bruce Hollingshead and Scott Mackenzie for the 2024-2025 Season!

Russ Aunger

Turtles Head Coach

Russ is joining the ALL West Coaches Staff for our 2024-2025 season; Russ will be coaching Team Turtles with Chad Hanson and Derek Murrell!

Derek Murrell

Coach

Derek will be with Russ Aunger and Chad Hanson coaching team Turtles for their third season together in 2024-2025!

Kevin Hill

Head Coach Deer

Kevin Hill will be the Head Coach for the Deer for the 2024-2025 season! He will be joined by Keith Gagne and Charlie Jones.

Keith Gagne

Keith is coaching with Kevin Hill for team Deer for the 2023-2024 season!