Australia Name Head Coach for 2023 World Juniors

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA - Australian Box Lacrosse is pleased to announce and welcome Wade Hammond as Head Coach for the Australian that will compete at the 2023 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from August 7-11, 2023.

Hammond started his playing career in Eltham, VIC at the age of 8. As a player he represented Australia at the World Lacrosse Box Championships (previously known as World Indoor Lacrosse Championships) in 2007, 2011, and 2015. On the 2011 team, Hammond was named and served as team Captain. Additionally, he has played on numerous Victorian state teams and won Australian National Championships. 

Hammond commenced coaching men in Victoria with the Fury in the Victoria Box League in 2012 in the same year he coached Victoria to a Senior National title.

[Photo: Wade Hammond, Australia Head Coach at the 2023 IIJL Commonwealth Cup]

His work took him to Western Australia (WA) and his love for Box found him coaching the WA Senior Men's Box Team from 2018 - 2023, winning the Australian National Box Championship in 2020. Also during that time Hammond served as an Assistant Coach with the 2019 Australian Men's Box Team at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships. In 2023 he added coaching the WA Women's Senior, competing at Nationals, and WA Men's Junior teams to his coaching resume.  

"Hammond is looking forward to hitting the floor in Saskatoon with the team, box lacrosse is really starting to grow in Australia, and it will be good to play against some of the best in this age bracket." said Ric Benedierks, President and General Manager of Australian Box Lacrosse. "Hopefully, the guys learn some new skills, and this continues to grow box lacrosse in Australia." added Wade Hammond. 

Most recently, The WA Junior team competed at the Inaugural IIJL Commonwealth Cup held at Altona, Melbourne Australia. Hammond in turn was selected as Head Coach of the Australian Junior team to play Canada for the Inaugural IIJL Commonwealth Cup.