Footscray’s Sarah Mollison primed for Women’s Lacrosse World Cup
SARAH Mollison says Australia will enter the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup full of confidence after a large contingent of the squad was involved in Victoria’s National Championship triumph.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SARAH Mollison says Australia will enter the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup full of confidence after a large contingent of the squad was involved in Victoria’s National Championship triumph.
The Footscray attacker played a key role as the Vics hoisted the silverware in Adelaide over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Mollison, who is preparing for her fourth World Cup, said the tournament provided perfect preparation for the event in England, which runs from July 12-22.
Australia’s team will assemble on Thursday before opening its campaign with a tough clash against Canada seven days later.
Australia last tasted World Cup glory in 2005 before finishing runner-up in 2009 and third in 2013.
Mollison said defending champion USA, England and Canada loomed as her team’s greatest threats.
“From the top four, it really could go either way,” the 30-year-old said.
“There could be a country that could surprise us, but they’re the main four if you look at the past few World Cups.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence going in to the World Cup and we’re just ready to play, get on the plane, get over there and get started.”
Australia will also face USA, Wales, England and Scotland during the group stage, with 25 countries competing.
Victoria has won the past five National Championships, with Mollison one of four players to have been a member of each title, joining Williamstown’s Lauren Hunter and Newport pair Hayley Sofarnos and Rachel Kirchheimer.
“Our team was awesome and we dominated,” Mollison said. “We had 11 or 12 players who are going to the World Cup.
“We always had high expectations — it was just a matter of how we were going to come together.
“We definitely achieved all of our goals.”
The Leader Local Sports Stars program recognises and celebrates the extraordinary efforts of junior and senior athletes and competitors across Melbourne.
Medallists will be named in seven categories -- Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team, Senior Sports Star, Service to Sport and the Jim Dowsley Award for encouragement.
The program becomes a national celebration this year. Leader’s junior winners from Melbourne will compete against the Local Sports Stars program medallists in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, and national winners will be crowned.
The junior categories will be judged on achievement, dedication, fairness and sportsmanship.
Cash prizes as well as vouchers from our sponsor Sportsmart are up for grabs.
For full details and to nominate an athlete, go to localsportsstars.com.au