The chance to play and mentor lacrosse in Australia is a great opportunity for international players to experience life in our amazing country. Lacrosse is a community-based club sport in Australia with junior and senior teams that cater to different skill levels, while at the highest club level (State League) the standard of the game is highly competitive. Australia is currently ranked fourth in the world in both Men’s and Women’s field lacrosse, and the fact that we have had many MCC players represent their country in World Lacrosse Championships over the years is a testament to the high calibre players we produce.
Over the years, we have welcomed many international players to join our MCC Lacrosse family for our field lacrosse season, which runs from April to September. Our International Recruitment Program was put on hold during the years of the pandemic, but last year we were able to welcome Shane Carroll from New York, USA to our club. Shane has played lacrosse for over 15 years, and more recently coached University Lacrosse at Vassar College and the University of Arizona. He played for our Men’s State League team. Asked about his time at MCC Lacrosse, Shane said, “Playing for MCC was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only is the lacrosse competitive but the club treats you like family. The MCC Community makes sure all your needs are taken care of and there is always someone looking to help you out.”
This is a sentiment echoed by American, Kevin Blackmur, who joined MCC Lacrosse as an international recruit in 2015 pre-pandemic. Kevin said, "I cannot speak highly enough about my time with the MCC Lacrosse Club. From the moment I committed to playing with them, I felt fully supported every step of the way. The club went above and
beyond, assisting with everything from finding housing to setting up essential services like banking and cell phone plans. This level of care ensured that I could focus entirely on my game and integrating into the team.”
Both Shane and Kevin were impressed by the high standard and commitment displayed by our players. Shane found that the MCC Men’s State League team was not only full of talent, but that each individual player cared tremendously, while Kevin expressed his delight at the passion for lacrosse in Australia. He said, “Having grown up playing in New England and competing collegiately at Lynchburg College, I've been exposed to high-level lacrosse environments. However, the enthusiasm and dedication to the sport in Australia is second to none.”
As well as playing lacrosse, international recruits have the opportunity to help mentor and develop the next generation of MCC Lacrosse players, something that Shane took advantage of with our U14 Boys team (pictured right).
International Recruits have the flexibility and time in between training and games to enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer, as well as travel further afield to different parts of our wonderful country. This is something that both Shane and Kevin took advantage of in their time here, and as Kevin remarked, “You have an entire team willing to give you recommendations on what to see.”
Perhaps one of the best things to come out of this experience for both our international recruits and our MCC players is the friendships that are made. Shane said, “The friends I made and experiences I had will stick with me forever.”
Kevin agrees. “Joining the MCC family was like finding a second home,” he said. “The camaraderie and support among players and coaches were exceptional. It's not just about lacrosse; it's about fostering a sense of belonging and community. I have made lifelong friendships from this experience.”
Our Men’s State League coach, Nick Kiloh is always happy to hear from international players who are interested in this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Australia and be a part of our MCC Lacrosse community. Nick can be contacted through our website.
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