A program that started nearly five years ago is making its mark at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships. The Netherlands’ women’s box team is taking in every moment of their international debut.
For many of the athletes, they were introduced to the sport from other people who played. Sarah Sramota was introduced to the sport by one of her current teammates.
“We had some people who were enthusiastic from our local field club, and they kept telling us to ‘come play one practice, just play one practice,’” said Sramota.
Kristen Kerr, a Peterborough, Ontario native, had not heard of box lacrosse until she was 12 years old.
“My hockey coach approached me,” Kerr said. “He was the box coach too and said, ‘you should really play lacrosse.’ Fast forward, I stopped playing hockey and continued with lacrosse.”
Kerr’s grandmother was born in the Netherlands. She is proud to represent her Dutch heritage for the first time on the international stage.
“It means everything to me,” said Kerr. “In some ways it is more special to represent my family than the country I was born in because it takes it back to my family’s roots.”
Since women’s box is in its infancy in the Netherlands, the community is tighter as many of the local athletes have been playing together in various events throughout Europe.
“For most of us it is our very first international event past She-Box.,” Sramota said. “I think it makes us unique that we are truly box players and not field players pulled into something new, but rather playing box for box.”
Only three members of the team have previous international experience: Kimberly Vuurboom (2013-2022 women’s championships, and 2011 women’s U19 championship), Bellamie Persad (2022 women’s championship), and Hedwig Lambregts (2017 women’s championship). For newcomers to the floor, like Sramota, this is a brand-new experience for her.
“It’s been amazing,” Sramota said. “I feel like I’m kind of in this crazy bubble. I am feeling very much at home in this community, so it’s been making me feel very happy.”
For women’s box players in the Netherlands, they do not have previous players that they are able to look up to yet. The Dutch have turned to other international players for guidance.
“Everyone has been so kind to each other, especially from the girls I’ve been looking up to on the United States, they were really treating us as equals,” said Sramota.
The Netherlands have found themselves at 2-3 for the tournament. The athletes are taking more in at this event than just competing amongst other nations.
“Hearing the national anthem play while standing in front of the United States girls in the big arena I realized ‘Wow I am here and this is really happening,’” Sramota said.
The Dutch women are making history being part of the ten women’s teams who are competing in the world championship. This event opens the doors for other women’s teams to enter the box lacrosse world.
“It is so surreal being amongst all of the women at the first-ever event,” Kerr said. “I have a daughter at home, and it is so cool to show her the power of women’s sports.”
The team’s favorite part of the world championship, however, is getting the opportunity to play alongside each other.
“Everyone cares for each other,” said Sramota. “All of these people make me feel at home and that is not something I have experienced very often in my life and I’m feeling it for the first time.”
