The 2007 MCC Lacrosse B Grade Women's team
It's hard to believe that twenty years has passed since Fran Nichols put into action her vision for the girls and women of MCC Lacrosse. Fran, who had had a very successful lacrosse career representing both Victoria and Australia, believed that creating a woman’s team would not only provide a pathway for the junior girls in the club to continue playing as adults, but would also allow many of the women associated with the club to become involved in the sport. Her vision was to create a fun, social and engaging environment for all the women within the club to be a part of.
The MCC’s B Grade Women’s team took to the field for the very first time in 2005 with Fran as coach. Kellie Ellingworth, who was one of the first women Fran approached about starting a team, remembers that day fondly saying that some of her favourite lacrosse memories are associated with that very first game. “The laughter and joy that was brought into so many lives that day cannot be compared,” Kellie said.
Twenty years later, our women’s team is still going strong.
The 2024 MCC Lacrosse Championship Woman's team
Gabrielle ‘Gub’ Nichols, Fran’s daughter, was only 13 when she played in that first game. Twenty years later and she is the only original player left on the team. Gub’s incredible lacrosse journey has seen her going from being the youngest player on the first team – an inexperienced 13 year-old still learning the game - to now being one of the more experienced players on the current team. She says that the team has evolved over the years with many great people coming to play. “MCC Lacrosse is the place where I grew up,” she said. “I’ve spent countless weekends at the club having the time of my life. There’s no better feeling than rocking up on a Sunday to see all your friends. We have a good laugh, learn from and support each other on and off the field. I’ve made lifelong friends and I feel so lucky to be part of the team.”
One of the latest recruits to the team, Charlotte Zaph, who started playing lacrosse earlier this year, cannot speak highly enough about the welcome she has received by our MCC women. “As a brand-new player to the sport, I have never felt more welcomed or supported on a team,” she says. “All of the ladies, as well as Nudge our coach, have been so patient and supportive of my growth and I always feel encouraged when trying a new skill or drill. Whether it is giving me tips during a game or advice during training, this team has been the perfect place for me to give lacrosse a go.”
Of course, the coaches are a huge part of the team vibes, and at MCC we’ve been lucky enough to have three outstanding coaches over the twenty years. Fran, who was the women’s first coach between 2005-2011 and again for the 2015 season, was an exceptional coach, who left an indelible mark, not just on the game, but on the hearts and minds of those she mentored. Kellie took over as the women’s coach between 2012-2014 and credits Fran with being ‘a beacon of inspiration in her coaching journey’, which has extended to coaching the U14 Girls in 2024. Our current women’s coach, Hans Ebeling Award Winner and father to two of the ladies on our women’s team, Barry ‘Nudge’ Nugent, has been coaching our B Grade / Championship Women since 2016.
Being in such good hands, has helped shape our Championship Women into extremely valuable role models for the next generation of women lacrosse players at MCC. Jess Iuliano, who started playing lacrosse when she was 9 and has been playing for MCC since 2018, coaches our U12 Girls. She says that ‘her goal is to get more girls into the sport’ while ‘making sure that everyone has fun while improving their skills’. Whatever Jess is doing is certainly working with many of her U12 players from last year moving up to the U14s and into the capable hands of experienced Junior coach, Kellie Ellingworth, this year. Kellie believes that ‘coaching isn't about winning games; it's about nurturing a love for the sport and fostering a supportive environment where young players can grow both on and off the field’. Thanks to dedicated coaches such as Jess and Kellie, our Girls Junior Program is thriving.
Twenty years is a massive milestone and something that the founding members of the original MCC B Grade Women’s team are very proud of. To commemorate the occasion, we will be celebrating our women all week. Celebrations begin on Sunday 16th June with a jam-packed day of Girl’s and Women’s lacrosse at the Albert Ground. MCC lacrosse are hosting the U12 Girls Lightning Championship first thing on Sunday morning, then our U14 Girls will take on Camberwell at 11.30 followed by our Championship Women meeting Melbourne Uni for the first time this season in the afternoon.
Saturday 22nd June will be our official Ladies Day and although our ladies won’t be playing that day, the whole day will be dedicated to celebrating our amazing women, players past and present, and all those women who have contributed to the club throughout the years. During the day, we will be hosting a special lunchtime function in honour of our 20th year anniversary with guest speakers, drinks at 2005 prices and finger food. In the evening, the celebrations will continue with dinner in the club rooms for the entire club.
It's going to be a week to remember!
And to think all this started with a lady with a vision for our club!
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