Jessica Bates reports from the stands at the 2005 IFWLA World Cup

Here in the center of the field I sit – close enough to see the elation and fatigue on their faces. The stands are full of celebration and solemnity – from the deafening roar of the yellow and green to mournful recognition of the red, white, and blue, now quieted to respectful congratulations. These two teams are the best in women’s lacrosse. The athletes, idols, and role-models on the field are the ultimate – each proving herself with every pass, check, interception, clear, pick-up, assist, shot, and score for her team. These players have sweated, suffered and survived, reaching their highest potential on the field. Their countries have come in support and hope. This has been the World Cup game, with Australia coming off conqueror – their faces beaming with euphoric joy and jubilation – as the United States stands with accepted defeat – their faces full of ache and humble sorrow for the cup which they now surrender to their long esteemed friends and rivals.

Yet – what an event! Never before has there been such a gathering for women’s lacrosse! The athletes come from 10 different countries, 16 of the finest women each country has to offer, totaling 160 women with pure, unadulterated talent and ability, speed and agility. The collection of coaches and staff grants only the highest levels of experience and knowledge. The fans range between avid supporters, players, officials, and sponsors – all with varying levels of interest and all from different ethnic backgrounds – it’s truly a vast conglomeration of diversity which has never before occurred at this scale, marking this event as the single-most significant happening in women’s lacrosse history. In my own attendance at the games I’ve paused to consider every aspect – the people, the occasion, the fragrances, the feelings. I dare to reminisce on my beginning lacrosse days – calling upon nostalgic memory of the wonderment of childhood – and even deem this spectacle as magical. This is the realization of dreams.

As each country has stepped on the field, embracing the moment they are given to perform, they are all actresses on a stage. Their script, however, is not pre-written. It is decided on the fly, as they play out their characters through each graceful, elegant movement. Each woman that grabs the ball, each possession and fast break is executed so effectively, it’s as if the world were standing still for their performance. The intensity fired with each shot cuts through the crowd as crisply as the shots themselves. The beauty of watching many of these games is the level of ability – when a pass goes out, on the sidelines we sit, crossing our fingers, waiting for the mistake. They hardly happen. It’s pure finesse. It’s like watching a dream – exactly how you’d expect lacrosse to look, but you’re able to see it first hand. Even though it seems like a movie, we do not have the opportunity to “turn on the game” anytime we wish to observe this spectacle. This event is rare and precious, every moment is gone just as quickly as it came, captured only in our memory for that piece of time. And so, there are no second takes. The one chance, the one stage performance, is all these actresses get.

I could ramble on about stats and scores to account for the happenings of this 10-day World Cup event. However, I will not. I would rather each of you who share the passion for the sport to feel the experience from what I have attempted to convey. I would like to congratulate with my limited ability each of those athletes who were so blessed to participate and represent their countries, rendering honor to our entire world community. I abound with gratitude to those die-hards who have granted dreams to make this happen, allowing for more to come true. It’s amazing – what an opportunity for us all! This paves and continues to solidify the way for lacrosse for years to come. Each chance we get to organize and display talent of this magnitude grants us the privilege to go farther.

The results of the 2005 World Cup are as follows:

1. Australia


2. United States


3. England


4. Canada


5. Japan


6. Wales


7. Scotland


8. Czech Republic


9. Germany


10. New Zealand