Reds set to head West to defend crowns as Wanneroo-Joondalup named as hosts for 2024 Senior Championships

Western Australia’s Wanneroo-Joondalup Lacrosse Club in Perth’s north are set to host their first Senior National Championship after being confirmed by Lacrosse Australia as the hosts of the 2024 showpiece.

Long regarded as one of, if not, the largest lacrosse clubs in Australia, Wanneroo-Joondalup will host an growing field of senior sides at their newly refurbished home ground at Penistone Park in Greenwood with the event to take place over 5 days from 5 June 2024 to 9 June 2024.

Wanneroo-Joondalup President, Kim Gillespie said his club is relishing the chance to host Australia’s best players after successfully hosting a number of junior events, “we are super excited to be hosting the Senior Championships” said Gillespie, “it seems surreal to us to know that in four (4) months’ time, we will be hosting Australia’s elite men’s and women’s players at our home ground.  

It seems surreal to us to know that in four (4) months’ time, we will be hosting Australia’s elite men’s and women’s players at our home ground - Kim Gillespie, Wanneroo-Joondalup President

With Western Australia hosting national events Wanneroo-Joondalup’s planning is well underway with the entire club looking forward to the challenge, “our three fields are looking good. Penistone is traditionally a typical West Australian deck, being firm and fast which we hope will allow our athletes to push the limits”, said Gillespie, “we all know the work it takes to be a successful club in challenging times and this tournament feels like a reward for the hard work and I think our members will have a lasting sense of pride by doing a good job here.”

The chance for young Western Australians to see the best in action is also something that the club is excited for, “our club has had elite representation from players such as our Captain Australia, Lachlan Walker, as well as a number of other elite starts who our fans can get behind” said Gillespie, “we also have been able to produce a number of experienced world-class referees so it will also be great for our young officials to be able to see firsthand the pathways that are available for young officials”.

A former Australian player himself, Gillespie was also eager to point out his hopes for a Western Australian win on home soil, “with South Australia winning in Adelaide last year both the men and women's competitions, as a proud West Australian I am looking forward to seeing WA’s best chase both titles with a loud and passionate home crowd behind them. Personally, I can’t wait to see it all unfold”.

Lacrosse Australia Director of Competitions, Tim Kennedy said Wanneroo-Joondalup was an ideal choice to host, “Wanneroo-Joondalup have long been one of the most successful clubs in Australia, both on the field and off of it, I have absolutely no doubt that with a new clubrooms and some fantastic grounds that the 2024 Senior Championships are going to be special”.

The field will be announced in the coming weeks with the 2024 Lacrosse Australia Senior Championships set to be held from 5 June 2024 to 9 June 2024.