Nearly 140 of Nanaimo's best female lacrosse players will participate in the BC female box lacrosse provincials to be held in three local arenas between July 10-13. (Junior Timberladies Lacrosse)

By Dan Marshall

BC Box Lacrosse

Nanaimo hosts female box lacrosse provincials from U-13 to U-22

Jul 6, 2025 | 7:27 AM

NANAIMO — After attempting to host the BC Lacrosse Association female box lacrosse provincials in 2024, Nanaimo got the bid and will host in 2025.

Over 41 teams in the U-13 to U-22 age bracket are participating in a competition that features three different arenas.

Event chair Cathy Coulson said Nanaimo has seven A or B division teams involved.

“Most of the teams you’re looking between 15-20 girls on a roster so that’s 140 athletes. The female lacrosse program on Vancouver Island is growing exponentially.:

Games will be run out of the Nanaimo Ice Centre, Frank Crane Arena and Fuller Lake Arena in Chemainus with Nanaimo teams getting an automatic berth.

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It’s been a major undertaking to host provincials for so many different age groups.

“The hope is that every family is covering some shifts. We have to have to have security, scorekeepers, timekeepers, three officials per game and an official in charge. BCLA is sending some representatives and Vancouver Island Minor Lacrosse Association is sending some people. The people involved are in the hundreds for sure.”

Female box lacrosse in Nanaimo has grown to the point where half of the Nanaimo and District Lacrosse Association registrations are female.

“I’ve never seen a situation where you have an A team and a B team because there are that many girls who want to play. Our girls are competing very confidently against the lower mainland teams. The development from the NDLA is moving girls forward as athletes and playing for Team BC as well.”

Coulson is optimistic Nanaimo teams will take home several provincial medals especially in the older age groups.

“I think in our A division all the teams have a true shot at medalling for sure. In our B divisions it depends on who plays well on the day. Our U-22 team is very strong. They have a lot of girls who have grown up through the program. Our U-17 A team is very strong with lots of Team BC candidates.”

The tournament will culminate with the gold medal games on July 12 and 13.

The final games in each division will be played at Frank Crane Arena.

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