Women's U20 Field

Player Profile: Raegan Wilson - Lifelong Lacrosse Friendships

At seven years old, Raegan Wilson fell in love with box lacrosse. Raegan's passion for lacrosse quickly outgrew her interest in soccer and gymnastics. She played for the Milton Mavericks on a boys team until her bantam year when she made the transition to girls field lacrosse with the Oakville Lady Hawks, where she still plays. Two years ago, she also represented Team Ontario and won a National Championship in Halifax.

"I grew a love for the game at a young age as it was something I was able to get the hang of fairly quick, and since then my love has just grown," shared 17-year-old Raegan. "If there was one thing I had to choose about why I love it so much now it would be because of the forever relationships I have created with some of my best friends, and being able to do what I love with them."

Now Raegan will have a whole group of new lifelong best friends—her Team Canada teammates. Raegan, a midfield player, was one of 18 girls to make it through the three tryouts and onto the final roster for Team Canada. The team is preparing for the 2019 Women's Lacrosse U19 World Championship, in Peterborough, Ontario, from August 1-10.

"Making this team means the world to me as I have been dreaming about it and looking up to each national player every World Cup—whether it was in person, or streaming from Europe. From the hours on hours of practices, games, and kilometres traveled, it all led up to a spot on the roster and it means so much. It's a dream that I am so fortunate became a reality," expressed Raegan.

"I think that my 19 new sisters are an amazing group of girls who have bonded so much over our camp. But the 25 others who were at camp are still part of this team just in different positions, and still are an amazing group and I'm so thankful to have been able to bond with them. The team chemistry is great, we all radiate the best energy to each other, which goes to show we care about one another on and off the field and is super important to the success we all know is waiting for us."

Raegan said she cannot wait to wear the Canada jersey and represent her country. With the support she has seen for Team Canada at the training camps, she can only imagine the fans who will come out to Peterborough as Canada defends its gold medal. On the field, Raegan will be wearing number 29 in honour of her uncle who passed away four years ago.

"He was a huge part of my life and losing him was a hardship, but thinking about him and doing it for him shaped me into the woman I am today. I am extremely fortunate to wear his age when he passed away on my back, knowing he will be watching over my team and me when we defend our gold," said Raegan.

Growing up, Raegan said her idol was Dana Dobbie—an iconic Team Canada player. Another athlete she looks up to is Aurora Cordingley, a Team Canada alumna who won gold in 2015. Now Raegan has joined their ranks as a Team Canada player.

"My first goal is to win a world championship," Raegan said. "But into the future it's to become the player my team needs me to be and learn to be my best self. This special game teaches you many life lessons!"

About the Canadian Lacrosse Association     

Founded in 1867, the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) is the governing body responsible for all aspects of lacrosse in Canada. Our organization is comprised of 10 Member Associations representing nearly 85,000 individual participants, including coaches, officials, and athletes of all ages and abilities. The CLA's mission is to honour the sport of lacrosse and its unique nation-building heritage, by engaging our members, leading our partners, and providing opportunities for all Canadians to participate. The CLA oversees the delivery of numerous national championships and the participation of Team Canada at all international events sanctioned by the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). The CLA is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values, including our corporate partners - New Balance Athletics, Warrior Sports, NormaTec Recovery Systems, Canadian Red Cross, Westjet, RockTape, OPRO and Baron Rings - as well as our funding partners the Government of Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada, and the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation. For more information on Canadian Lacrosse Association and the sport of lacrosse, visit our website at www.lacrosse.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For more information, please contact:
 

Victoria Klassen

Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Canadian Lacrosse Association
Phone: 613-260-2028 ext. 302
Email: victoria@lacrosse.ca