In November 2019, ten players representing Team Argentina traveled to Auburndale, Florida, as the first international contingent of Argentine female lacrosse players. Hailing from north of Buenos Aires to Patagonia, some players had never trained together prior to arrival in Florida. As a participating nation in the Pan-American Lacrosse Association qualifiers in Florida, Argentina competed against regional foes Puerto Rico, Mexico, Columbia, and Jamaica. Placing sixth in the tournament, Argentina earned a birth to the 2021 World Lacrosse Championships in Towson, Maryland!
Team Argentina is coached by Holly McGarvie Reilly, former Team USA Champion, and Nico Prandi, former Team Argentina Men’s World Cup player. Both coaches have a vision to help Team Argentina reach its goal of attending a World Championship in 2021 and for the players to return to Argentina to grow the game of lacrosse.
Following the November Pan-American qualifiers, Coach Reilly, along with her husband and two young boys, traveled to Argentina in March 2020. The goals were to enjoy the beautiful Argentine culture and to hold training and evaluation sessions in preparation for the 2021 World Championships. Training sessions kicked off in Buenos Aires with players traveling as far as 3000 kilometers to participate. The girls were eager to improve coming off their first international playing experience, and it was evident the girls were working hard in the off season. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Coach Reilly had to cut her trip short just before flying to the South to train in Trelew and Rawson.
Looking ahead, Team Argentina anxiously awaits a reopening when players may return to play and continue to prepare for the 2021 World Championships. Eighteen players will represent Team Argentina next July. While there is much preparation and improvement to achieve before then, there is tremendous excitement and passion from the women who will wear their country’s uniform in their first-ever World Championship.
Thanks for all your support!
-Argentina Lacrosse