Women's Arena Lacrosse League West Welcomes International Players

The Women’s Arena Lacrosse League West (WALL West) started as an avenue to showcase the talent within female lacrosse in British Columbia and to bring further opportunities to play the Medicine Game for female box lacrosse players. Since its inaugural year in 2022, WALL West has paved the way for change, both in how the female game is played (rules) and in people’s perceptions of how female box lacrosse athletes can truly play this beautiful sport. “Showing that everyone watches women’s sports.”

Though it started as an avenue here in B.C., it has gained attention globally and brought interest from female box lacrosse athletes from around the world. This truly shows that female players wanted this all along and that, with more opportunities, we can collectively continue to showcase what female athletes are capable of. For the 2024-2025 season, WALL West welcomes Charlotte Whinnen, a 32-year-old who grew up playing field lacrosse from the age of 15 and box lacrosse from the age of 20 in Adelaide, Australia. She has been a proud member of the Woodville Lacrosse Club after her brother encouraged her to join, later becoming a member of the inaugural Australian team for the 2024 World Women’s Box Lacrosse Championships. Rachael Boys, a 27-year-old from Adelaide, joins her teammate Charlotte. She has played lacrosse for roughly four years with the Brighton Lacrosse Club and has been playing box lacrosse for one year. Our final international player is Lizzie Bottrill, who joins us from England. She has been playing lacrosse since she was 11 years old and has been playing box lacrosse for roughly three years. Lizzie has traveled all over the world since playing box lacrosse on the Women’s Box Lacrosse Global Network team!

Charlotte and Rachael after their Dec 8th match

                                                                                        Lizzie with teammates from the Women's Box Global Network

Box lacrosse is a fast-paced and highly physical version of lacrosse. It can have bouts of high intensity, forcing players to think and react quickly, with very few dull moments. It is gritty, strategic, and requires a team effort. This version of the game has mostly been played in Canada since the 1930s and is now rapidly growing worldwide for both the men’s and women’s disciplines. It was the physical nature of the sport that really drew Lizzie to play and seek opportunities to play like her male counterparts. Much like Lizzie, the physical side caught the eye of Rachael, and she is thankful that she hadn’t been playing lacrosse long enough to unlearn old habits that don’t necessarily translate from field to box. Charlotte would watch her brother play and one year decided to put on goalie gear (as this was the only position females could play at the time) and played in the men’s domestic competition. She had always itched to play as a field player and was fortunate to be surrounded by male Australian players who supported her desire to do so. Australian players such as Jesse Whinnen, Dwayne Edwards, Chris De Mello, Nigel Wapper, Cam Adams, Sam Kilford, and Bob Carter were instrumental in making that happen.

Every lacrosse player has their favorite memories, and we asked Charlotte, Rachael, and Lizzie to share one of theirs with us.

Rachael shares: “I was awarded the Heart and Spirit of Lacrosse Award during the 2024 World Championship for Team Australia. I was honestly blown away receiving this. While it was tough being an alternate on the side, being a part of the support staff and getting immersed in the atmosphere of the whole tournament was truly something special. On a side note, getting as far as I did in the selection for the Australian team, having only been playing lacrosse for a few years, was a big milestone for me.”

Lizzie recalls, “Nothing can really beat that first She-Box tournament in 2022. I went to Prague all by myself with a bag of borrowed equipment and a stick I barely knew how to handle, spending the weekend with complete strangers, learning a new sport in a new city. Everyone was in the same boat, and though it was competitive, it was a blast, and I made friends for life. This sport is so special in how it brings fierce women into your life, and you find sisters.”

Charlotte speaks highly of her experience with the national program: “My absolute top memory would be receiving the call to say I had made the first Australian Women’s Box Lacrosse Team. For my family, there were so many reasons this was special. My brother tried out for the men’s team and received his call exactly one week before I received mine. As soon as I got off the phone with the coach, I FaceTimed my family, and we could all share in the excitement, with a few tears on my end. That was a really special moment for us.”

We also asked each of them why they wanted to travel to play in WALL West, knowing it meant being away from home for an extended period, and what they hoped to gain from this season.

Charlotte says, “I traveled to participate in the WALL because this league offers something truly unique: a chance to compete against the best, on a stage that is finally designed to elevate women’s box lacrosse. It’s a community of strong, like-minded athletes working together to break down barriers and push the sport forward. We don’t have this opportunity in Australia, so being part of WALL feels like contributing to something that is long overdue. I’m extremely passionate about the game and the impact women can have in box lacrosse, so being part of this league allows me to continue my personal growth while also helping to shape the future of the sport in Australia. I want to help show women back home that they can dream big in this sport and that there are opportunities for women to succeed at the highest levels. I’m excited to see how far we can take it.”

Lizzie shares, “It’s been so cool to play in WALL, to be around others who have played box since they were young, and to learn from everyone I can. I really just hoped to level up my game and gain knowledge that I can take with me to future adventures.”

Rachael reflects, “This opportunity came through Charlotte. In our travels following the World Championship, we were chatting about her returning to play, and next thing I knew, I was coming too! It’s such a surreal experience to be playing here as we don’t have anything like this back home. In Adelaide, we only get to play about four games of box lacrosse a year and then 4-5 games at nationals, so we don’t get the exposure like Canada and the USA, who have been playing for most of their lives. During my time here, I hope to learn as much as possible. Back home, I usually play a lot more defense, so it’s been great to mix it up here and play some offense too! I’ve already stepped way out of my comfort zone just by being here, so I’m looking forward to seeing some personal growth from this experience!”

Like any sport, players usually have someone who has made a significant impact on them. For Rachael, “It would have to be my fellow Aussie, Charlotte Whinnen. Her passion to help grow the game and her dedication to come back post-ACL to play for Australia is something so admirable. From the moment I said I was keen to try box lacrosse, she was always pushing me to do better and get involved wherever I could to improve. She is always willing to answer my questions and help me with techniques and growth, both on and off the court. I’m excited to see where her future in box lacrosse goes, both as a player and hopefully a future coach.” 

Lizzie mentions two women who have impacted her: “In terms of my overall lacrosse journey, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with the field game without my school coach, Juliet Jaggs. She was an ex-England defender, former captain, and coach of Team England, and her love of the game was infectious! In my box lacrosse era, Michelle Bowyer has been my biggest hero – her work with the Women’s Box Lacrosse Global Network has been invaluable to me growing the game in the UK, and she gives so much of her time and energy to mentoring athletes. She always has a story or two to share of her glory days, which inspires me to get out and train. I wouldn’t have made it to B.C. to play in the WALL without her support and encouragement.”

Charlotte also pays tribute to her incredible teammates and coaches. As well as her teammates from her Woodville Lacrosse Club family, she expresses her gratitude: “My brother has been a huge part in getting me involved in the sport, but also in the growth of women’s box lacrosse in Adelaide. He has represented Australia in four World Championships, but the more recent one in Utica is where he really pushed me in training to give me the best chance of making the team. Since 2012, when I started, he has been in my corner, so I owe him a lot.” 

There is something impactful to be said about having positive female role models for the next generation of young girls playing both box and field lacrosse. With more opportunities for both disciplines, this will continue to grow the list of women paving the way. We asked each player why it’s important to have positive female role models in lacrosse.

For Charlotte, “It’s vital for the women’s side of lacrosse to continue growing, as more variations of the game create new opportunities for players, coaches, and officials. Female involvement is essential in shaping the future of the sport and making it even better. Positive female role models in lacrosse play a crucial role in this growth, influencing not only athletic development but also confidence, perseverance, and a sense of belonging for young girls.”

Representation is key. Seeing women excel at all levels of lacrosse helps young players envision their own potential. Role models inspire and motivate by showing what’s possible and how to overcome challenges. Their journeys of resilience and dedication make success feel more achievable for young athletes while helping build confidence in spaces where girls might feel out of place. Female role models in lacrosse challenge stereotypes, proving that women can be fierce competitors, talented leaders, and serious athletes. 

Female role models teach young players the importance of leadership, equality, and fighting for greater opportunities for women’s lacrosse. By stepping into leadership roles and advocating for change, these role models show that women can lead with strength and vision. Ultimately, they help create a more inclusive and supportive environment for future generations of female athletes, teaching values like perseverance, hard work, and the power of representation.”

For Lizzie, “Absolutely, representation is everything! If you can see it, you can be it. I walk past fields of boys playing soccer, all wearing the kit of their hero player. They watched him play in a big game on TV yesterday, and now in their imagination, they are him. Girls also need to see women on their platforms, loving the game, being great teammates, and impressive humans.” 

Rachael shares, “Most definitely! Having positive role models in lacrosse can show young females what is possible, including the ups and downs. It isn’t always an easy road but seeing someone you look up to go through the trenches can be the turning point for some, motivating them to push to be the best they can be and see their own potential.”

Expanding on positive role models, we asked our three international role models to share advice for the future generation of female box lacrosse players.

Lizzie advises, “Be bold in taking up space and taking every opportunity that comes your way. Support other women, female leaders, etc., with your whole heart, because it’s a very male-dominated world, and that won’t change unless brave women are prepared to stand up and lead, with kindness, excitement, diplomacy, and passion.” 

Rachael's advice is short and sweet: “Get out there and give it a go. It is honestly so much fun and not as scary as it looks!”

Charlotte sums it up beautifully with encouragement: “Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes. The best players push their limits, try new things, and learn from every experience. Lacrosse is as much mental as it is physical, so stay focused under pressure, bounce back from setbacks, and develop resilience. It will serve you in all areas of life. While individual skills matter, remember it’s the team that wins. Be a good teammate, support others, and build trust. A united team is unstoppable. Lacrosse, like life, is always evolving. Stay curious, keep improving, and never stop learning. Whether you wear a captain’s armband or not, lead by example with integrity and respect. Your actions will inspire others. Aim high but enjoy the journey. Every step of progress matters, and the lessons you learn in box lacrosse will stay with you for life. Push your limits, appreciate the process, and know you are part of something bigger.” 

WALL brought these amazing women together, and the opportunity for B.C. players to hear about the challenges and stories from other countries playing female box lacrosse. Each of them had some last words to share and express their gratitude. “Collectively they wanted to thank the League organizers for their dedication and having them this season. As well as their  team Turtles Coaches Russ, Derek and Chad for sharing their knowledge with them and believing in them every step of the way. As well to their teammates and other WALL players who have welcomed them with open arms."

"A big thank you to Savanna Smith, Michelle Bowyer, and Carla Shymko for helping get us over here and being so supportive throughout our time here!”

“If you are involved in women’s box lacrosse, you are part of a movement to grow and improve women’s sports. Stand tall, work hard, and demand the recognition and opportunities you deserve. Help pave the way for future generations to have more visibility, resources, and respect. I pinch myself knowing I have the opportunity to be here playing for the Turtles. Michelle, Carla, and Savanna have been a HUGE part of making that happen, and for that, I will be forever grateful.” 

“So grateful to be around the WALL this season, and so grateful for my Turtle teammates for being so wonderful and welcoming.”  

We are grateful to the WALL organization for allowing these three players the opportunity to play and share their stories with us.