Lacrosse player to represent Ontario at Nationals
What was maybe a long shot for Baileigh Boileau has paid off. The 17-year-old Avening resident is off to Lacrosse Canada’s Box Minor Nationals in Halifax next month as part of Ontario’s junior women’s team.
Having shown an aptitude for the sport since she started playing in 2023, Boileau was encouraged to try out. Even after missing one of three tryouts due to injury, she was selected as one of the top-20 players in Ontario.
Two years ago Boileau registered for a new girls lacrosse team in Orangeville. The Orangeville Northmen U17 girls team had a good chunk of new players, said Boileau, and some experienced players from other centres. But they scored big when they got Bruce Codd as a coach. Codd played for 12 years in the National Lacrosse League and played his final year in 2012 with the Toronto Rock.
Boileau said she learned a lot in that first year, playing both offence and defence.
“I loved every minute of it,” said Boileau. “I made some really great friends.”
She was inspired to play lacrosse by two of her older brothers, who she ended up playing with in her second year.
Because the Northmen didn’t have a U22 team in 2024, Boileau joined the Stayner team. She was the only girl on the roster, and she played strictly offence. Her brother Quinn was the team captain and her brother Seth was the coach.
“I loved it even more than the first year,” said Boileau, adding that it was fast paced and more aggressive. “Overall, my offence got a lot better, learning with the guys, and they were so willing to teach me.”
Throughout the season Boileau was building her stick skills, agility, mental focus, and endurance – something that will be essential for the national competition which has longer play times.
Having played many sports throughout her youth, Boileau said it’s hard to describe exactly what about lacrosse has captivated her but when pressed, she said it’s the people.
“They are energetic, and they have a love for the game – so much heart,” she said.
This year, Boileau was faced with a difficult decision – she had to choose between the Stayner Hitmen and a new U22 team in Orangeville. Feeling loyal to her friends and teammates in Orangeville, Boileau signed up knowing they needed the numbers. The team is now ranked eighth out of 16.
Boileau had her heart set on attending open tryouts for Team Ontario in May but three-quarters of the way through she suffered a knee injury. Nevertheless, she was invited back to tryouts once she got medical clearance. She had to watch the second tryout from the sidelines but after weekly physio she was allowed back on the floor for the third tryout on June 8.
After being assessed on both offensive and defensive drills and some scrimmage, Boileau got the call that she was on the team and would be representing Ontario at Nationals.
“I felt super excited, it felt good. I didn’t really expect to make it,” said Boileau.
She will be on a team of 16- to 21-year-olds, many with much more experience than her.
The team has only two practice days to prepare for the August competition, in addition to weekly Zoom calls. Boileau has to fit them in between a full-time job, a part-time job, being head coach of the Stayner Minor Lacrosse U7 team, and her regular U22 team schedule.
In order to help cover the costs of flights, equipment, accommodation and other travel expenses, Boileau is looking for sponsors, offering recognition on a national platform. For more information, contact baileighboileau100@gmail.com.
