It was “the joy of the game” that motivated Abigail Cox to give her best in the sport she loved.
“I really enjoy it, so it makes me thrive. It’s the one thing I am good at and I love.”
The 16-year-old was selected to play in the U18s Waikato Development Lacrosse Team last month.
She told The Profile she was shocked when she heard the news.
“I know there are a lot of great players out there who are older than me and I was surprised to get a shot at it at 16 as one of the younger players on the team.”
Abigail has been part of the Waikato U15 team for the past few years, and even represented Waikato at the Australian Nationals.
Abigail, who is in her fourth year of playing lacrosse, said she played midfield.
“As middi, you have to be able to run the whole field, you also do centre draws.”
But she had also played goalie and attack before, she said.
“You have more chance of getting picked if you are able to play wherever the coach puts you and not just one position.”
Abigail’s objective this season was to win at the New Zealand nationals “or at least better my skills” so she could make it into the top team next year, she said.
“And perhaps trial for the New Zealand U20s.”
But one thing on Abigail’s bucket list she hadn’t yet crossed off was getting a scholarship to play lacrosse in the United States, she said.
She would also love there to be a Thames Valley League.
“We have the gear to help to get schools going, they just need some people to run with it.”
While lacrosse does “take my attention”, the Paeroa College student said she was also aiming for a merit endorsement at school.
When Abigail gets home from training, she does “heaps of homework” and would catch up at school too, she said.
Her mother, Penny Cox, said Abigail had been really lucky to have had several different teams and coaches.
“She’s learned so many skills from so many different people that are just giving back to the kids all the time.”
Abigail, who also played for her school’s lacrosse team, said she was coached by Ursula Johnson, her former science teacher.
Not only is Ursula a lacrosse coach, but she is also a “top New Zealand player” who currently worked for World Lacrosse, Abigail said.
One piece of advice from Ursula that’s stuck with Abigail was to turn nerves into energy.
“That’s what Ursula tells us. She says the nerves are good because they give you heaps of energy.”
Abigail said there were a lot of people involved in the sport and she’d made “quite a few friendships”.
In her Waikato team, they take cowbells to ring “when we score” or when the players need encouragement, she said. And one pregame tradition was to huddle around, put their sticks in and “do a cheer”.
As well as playing the sport, Abigail is also a referee. “I spend most of my weekends at Tamahere at the lacrosse fields,” she said. After she had warmed up and played her game, she refereed the next two matches, she said.
But it was clear Abigail’s journey was a team effort.
Her coaches from across the years, including Ursula and this year’s U18s coach, Richard Banks, were some people Abigail said she wanted to thank.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without these people that support me on my journey.”
Abigail’s advice for students who would like to get involved in lacrosse was “just give it a go, it’s amazing”.
“All the adults are there to help you grow. It’s safe, friendly and keeps you fit.”
Abigail was currently preparing for her U18 development season to start in late September.
