Our Victorian U18 players: Ruby, Trinity and Rhyannon
The Camberwell Lacrosse Club has a growing girl's and women's program and it's no surprise that three of our most talented players have been selected for the Victorian Under 18 girls team.
Congratulations to Ruby Pagliaro, Trinity Meachem and Rhyannon Bergin!
The team will be competing in the Australian U18 national championships this year in Adelaide.
We were fortunate enough to catch up with the three girls at the Lacrosse Australia Senior Nationals to quiz them about their selection.
Ruby
When did you first start playing lacrosse?
I first heard about lacrosse from my brother, Joey who plays for Camberwell. I went to a QuickStix session in 2014 and met Trinity. We were coached by Matt Kerr and Sarah.
I started playing for Camberwell in 2016 in the Under 13 girls team. In my first year, we didn’t win a game but we improved so much that we made the finals in 2018.
How would you describe yourself as a player?
I am right-handed and like to play anywhere on the field, but enjoy midfield and attack playing at X.
What’s your favourite position in lacrosse?
I like competing for the ball at the centre draw and love it when I can feed a pass to a teammate making a cut to goal.
Is this your first representative team?
I was selected for the Fire U15 team in 2019 and we won the national tournament. I played mostly defence, a new position for me. I now look forward to playing for Victoria.
Trinity
When did you first start playing lacrosse?
I started playing lacrosse in 2014 when Doug Fox introduced me to the quick stix program. The club came to my school, and I fell in love with the game instantly. At the age of 10, I started playing with the under 11’s boy's team as there wasn’t a girls’ team I could join. The following year I joined the under 13’s girls
What teams/grades are you now playing with?
I am playing in under 18’s, as well as senior women’s.
Is this your first representative team?
This is the first state team I have made for lacrosse, although I have played for Victoria in volleyball, and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to represent both the state and the club.
Your name has featured prominently during our clubs' presentation day, how many awards have you won?
Over my time I have won several awards including the best and fairest for both under 13’s, under 15’s and under 17’s. I was also named equal third-best in the state for the under 15’s competition in 2019.
Last season I was also awarded the Most Outstanding junior award for my contribution to both the women’s and junior comps as a player, along with the role of coach of the under 13’s team.
How would you describe yourself as a player?
My dominant hand is my right, however, using my left more effectively is definitely a goal of mine.
What’s your favourite position in lacrosse?
I love playing any position however I definitely enjoy playing the midfield and centre roles. One of my favourite parts of playing lacrosse is the feeling of winning a ball out of the centre.
Rhyannon
When did you first start playing lacrosse?
I started playing in 2017 when I was 9 years old after being introduced to Lacrosse by Doug Fox at school.
Is this your first representative team?
The Victorian U18 selection is my first rep team selection as the U15 tournaments were cancelled for the past 2 years due to Covid.
How would you describe yourself as a player?
I’m a natural lefty and my favourite skill is making fast breaks and finding a way to goal.
What’s your favourite position in lacrosse?
Although I have played most positions, my favourite place is in attack. I love scoring!
Last year I was the highest goal scorer in both U13 and U15 for the league and the season before Covid in 2019 I scored 99 goals for the year.
I’m really proud to have made the team and excited to play alongside the other Camberwell girls, Trinity and Ruby, at this level.
