Bronze at World's, Gold in Travel
I recently had the honor of being the Team Assistant for the 2018 Iroquois Nationals men's lacrosse world team. We had quite the experience in just a 2 week period, and the athletes and staff made it all worth it. We faced so many tests outside of traveling across the world to play lacrosse. Below I'll highlight the trip...
Photo: Tracy Rector
Day 1: First Attempt to Fly to Israel
Naturally I worked half the day before meeting up with our group from the Western New York area and we drove up to the Toronto Airport together. There was also a bus from the Kahnawake area and everyone trickled in as we organized ourselves. We found a spot to gather the team and distribute gear. Excitement was in the air- more so to kick off the trip, not so much the 10.5 hour flight. Turns out, the airline hadn't received all the green lights for us to board, so around 11 PM we packed into a bus and headed to a hotel in Brantford. The Holiday Inn Express we rolled up to welcomed us and to our surprise it was a beautiful, recently upgraded hotel.
Day 2: Practice, Giving Back & Some Sr. A
We woke up and headed to Six Nations to the field behind the Gaylord Powless Arena for the team's first practice as a full team. Our photographer/ videographer, Tracy, tested out the drone she brought- she successfully departed and landed her first flight. It was awesome to see the guys mesh right off the bat- most play/ have played together before and we had siblings, cousins and lifelong friends on the team.
That night, the guys who play Sr. A for the SIx Nation Chiefs suited up and the rest of the team and staff returned to the GPA to hang out with the Six Nations tyke team before their game. Our guys and coaches shared a few words, took some group photos and were recognized before the first faceoff. It was a great first opportunity for the guys to give back.
We then boarded the bus and headed to the ILA and caught the game (and grabbed a poutine, because when at the ILA...).
Day 3/ 4: Flying Through the Night , Opening Ceremonies & Game Day vs. USA- L 17-9
We woke up early, gathered our things and positive thoughts, and loaded up a bus back to the Toronto Airport.
We populated the same corner as the first day, and prepared for both the best and the worst. We finally learned we were in the clear and lined up. First, our passports were checked and each athlete and staff member was interviewed before checking our bags in. We had a few huge bags of merchandise, helmets and other gear but were told we couldn't bring our equipment bags, so a very quick run to the stand nearby to pick up duffel bags was made. Everyone made it through the first round of security as Ansley (Executive Director), Brett (Assistant Coach) and I stuffed gear into the bags and made sure everything passed through. We were kindly escorted through general security and to a third level of clearance. At that last checkpoint, all of our carry-on bags were taken and searched, as well as fabric swabs of our hands, wallets, phones and shoes. This delayed our flight by a few hours and personally if I was a regular person on the flight, i would've been mad, but I was thankful for the added security measures.
Finally we boarded the plane and flew all night to Tel Aviv, Israel. We arrived the next afternoon (Israel is 7 hours ahead of EST), gathered our bags and arrived at the hotel at 2 PM--- opening ceremonies were at 6 PM, so that left just a few hours for the guys to eat, get a quick nap and prepare for the game.
We rolled into the stadium and everyone was just excited to be there. Opening ceremonies went well, and everyone we encountered was happy we made it in time. The guys had very limited time to go over things and actually hit the ground running in the first half of the game. I think it hit all of us around halftime- for just being a member of the staff, I could not imagine how the guys felt running around the field after all we endured in such a short amount of time. I give the guys huge props for showing up how they did.
Day 5: Day Off & Second Full Practice
The day off was beneficial for everyone. Israel was a huge adjustment- 7 hours ahead of EST, it was their dry season so it literally never rained, and it was a little hotter than home. Hydration and healthier eating was huge in preparing for the rest of the tournament- even for the staff. The restaurant at the hotel made it possible to focus- it was set up buffet-style and they always had fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy options available.
Game days- mostly, these consisted of breakfast, "guy stuff" (chalk talk/ film, so I created content for social media/ other team duties), lunch/ early dinner, and catching the bus to Wingate an hour or two before gametime. Some highlights per day:
Day 6 Game Day vs. England- W 18-7
I remember this game was one of the hottest of the tournament. Israeli heat is intense- it just sticks to you and word from the benches is sweat would just slosh from the guys' cleats and they'd have to wring out their dri-fit shirts.
Day 7: Camp, Jerusalem & Game Day vs. Australia- W 16-9
We boarded the bus early and headed to Jerusalem. FIrst we stopped outside the city to hold a camp for local youth. It was awesome to watch the guys and coaches teach the fundamentals. Ansley explained the guys' warm-up shirts (modeled after the Dish with One Spoon belt), as well as shared our culture.
We continued to the outskirts of Jerusalem to Mount Scopus. It overlooked the whole city and it was incredible to see the newer parts and the parts made of stones placed thousands of years ago. After taking in the view, we packed back into the bus and were dropped near the Wailing Wall. When it was my turn at the wall, I (naturally) broke the silence by sneezing. I'd never felt more blessed as the women around me all whispered "bless you" and continued praying.
It was crazy seeing the stones from thousands of years ago, and the church where Jesus was buried. The history of the city was incredible, even for someone whose only religious knowledge comes from a couple college classes.
Relative to the game against Australia that night, I learned at 2015 Men's World Indoor Championship and the 2016 U-19 World Outdoor Championship that Australia has the best fans. They love their guys and are an amazing crowd to be a part of, no matter what side you're rooting for.
Day 8 Game Day vs. Canada- L 10-5
Pretty solid matchup, but Dillon Ward was just on his game for the whole hour and 20 minutes of play and very hard to figure out.
It was 7/16 (so- 716 Day), and naturally I had to take a photo with Mearnsy (Buffalo Bandits color commentator) and Josh Byrne (Buffalo Bandits player). It's always cool to see guys around the world because for the most part they don't expect to see me, especially as a part of one of the teams.
Day 9 Game Day vs. Scotland- W 14-7
The bagpipes reminded me of Banditland and their fans were also very passionate for the team. I think they had the second-coolest entrance. Ours being the first, but being escorted in by bagpipes is quite the introduction.
Day 10 Hanging out with Uganda & Game Day vs. Puerto Rico- W 14-7
I'm sad I missed this interaction, but the guys had fun sharing cultures and shooting around with Team Uganda. The guys meshed right with ours when showing them social dances.
This World tournament was PR's first run and they killed it. They were great competitors and the game was pretty close in the first half.
Day 11 Game Day vs. Canada- L 15-4 & Meeting Team Peru
This game was do or die- meaning, win to play for gold. Canada was conditioned for the competition, though and put up another great game.
After the game, we rounded up the guys and team Peru and the coaches shared some words with each other. It was Peru's first run and some words that resonated with me was Ansley and Red saying "When you leave your community, they can't wait until the day you return, so play your hardest for them and do your best to represent them," "One day you'll be in our shoes telling a rookie team that they can overcome whatever is thrown at them," and "Always enjoy playing the game that was gifted to us." Both of our peoples faced (and continue to face) hardships but we all managed to come together- great proof of perseverance paying off.
Day 12: Bronze Medal game vs. Australia- W 14-12
Final game day of the tournament. It was a little bittersweet, but the guys went out and left it all on the field. Australia is great competition and bronze medals were handed out, but the highlight for me was watching the guys trade gear and give gear away right after the game (I remember Hiana throwing his [fresh] cleats and stick into the crowd).
Photo: Tracy Rector
Day 13/ 14 Packing Up & Heading Home
After taking care of business, we were ready to return home to our families. Our flight left Tel Aviv at midnight and we arrived in Toronto at 6am, and completed the final step of travel- passed through customs on our Haudenosaunee passports. My flight buddy was Tehoka and I only made him let me out once during the 12 hour flight (you're welcome).
My thoughts...
This was my second world tournament being on the staff for the Iroquois Nationals and if I've learned anything, it's to quickly adapt and to be ready for any situation. The guys became family very quickly and they were respectful to all, receptive, patient (I didn't see any turn down a request for a photo or just a quick chat), and were approachable after tough games. I'm excited to see them continue their careers and overall progress and the same goes for my new friends from around the world.
What's next? The Iroquois Nationals social media has been updated! Twitter: @iroqnats2019 and Instagram: @iroquoisnationalsofficial