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In 1995, the International Federation of Women’s Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA), one of the precursors to World Lacrosse, sanctioned the first Under-19 Women’s World Championship.
The event was hosted by the United States in Haverford, Pa., and the host nation was the clear favorite in the seven-team tournament. Team USA survived an opening-round scare against Australia, winning 6-5, and then had a relatively easy path into the championship game.
That’s when the undefeated Americans met up with Australia once again and faced dual dynamos from Brighton, South Australia, who were making their international debuts.
The older sister, Trish, was 17 and serving as captain of the Australian squad. Her younger sister, Jen, was 15. They were the Adams sisters.
“We were just a group of friends out playing the game we loved and this enabled us to play innately and fearlessly,” said Trish Adams as she recently reflected back. “As a young group of Australians heading into the championship, we probably didn't fully understand the scale of lacrosse in other parts of the world. I think that was helpful to us.”
Overcoming a plethora of new experiences, like their first international competition and first overseas trip, the young Australian players defeated the favored United States 5-4 in the final game to capture the gold medal.
“Trish was the story of that tournament. She was the superstar,” said Melissa Coyne, one of the U.S. goalies on the 1995 team. “She was strong, fast and had a great stick.”
Deservingly, Trish became the cover subject for Lacrosse Magazine’s recap of the event in its November/December issue (Awesome, Awesome, Aussies!).
“I have lots of incredible memories associated with the 1995 U19 World Championship,” Trish Adams said. “I clearly remember every day as being equally exciting and overwhelming. Winning the championship was certainly a brilliant way to culminate the experience, and I will never forget holding the cup above my head, looking at my sister, my team and our small but fierce cheer squad and feeling such immense pride, relief and happiness.”
Like a fine wine, the memory of the championship gets better for Trish Adams with each passing year as she savors the experience.
“Upon reflection, while I enjoyed and celebrated the win, I do not think I fully grasped the significance at the time,” she said. “I think the appreciation of the victory has begun to sink in more heavily over the years. The friendships, our team connection, the moments we shared both on and off the field build the foundations for my fondest memories.”
The 1995 championship also set the foundation for Trish’s lifetime of involvement with international lacrosse. She has been associated with the Australian national teams in some coaching capacity since 2003.
After a couple of stints as a U19 women’s team assistant, she was elevated to head coach for the first time in 2011, leading the U19 Aussies to a second-place finish at the world championship in Germany. Two years later, she was an assistant coach for the women’s senior team that won bronze in Canada.
“The 1995 world championship provided me with so many experiences and life lessons that helped shape me to be the person I am today,” Trish Adams said. “I was motivated to provide that same positive experience and opportunity for other young lacrosse players. I have continued to grow and evolve as a coach and person through my national involvement over the years and I will always be grateful for the opportunities lacrosse has afforded me.”
She is still going strong, with some lofty goals ahead.
In 2019, Adams was re-appointed as the head coach of the Australian national team with hopes of recapturing some of that 1995 magic at the 2021 World Cup in Towson, Md. It’s her seventh coaching role with an Australian team, and she hopes to build on the program’s history.
“I am proud of all that has been accomplished by Australian women’s lacrosse to date and want to use that as a springboard to help us expand our vision and build momentum,” she said. “I am honored to support these incredible female athletes through this journey as we strive for greatness in 2021. I am always extremely honored to represent my country.”
And what became of Trish’s younger sister, Jen?
Based in part on her exploits against older competitors during that 1995 championship, Jen was recruited by Hall of Fame coach Cindy Timchal to play at the University of Maryland, where she became the three-time national player of the year and led the Terps to four straight NCAA titles from 1998-2001.
Jen finished her collegiate career ranked first all-time in NCAA women’s scoring history with 445 points, including 267 goals and 178 assists. She was also the recipient of the inaugural Tewaaraton Trophy award in 2001 as the nation’s top player and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2012.
In short, Jen Adams is regarded today as lacrosse royalty, viewed by many as the finest female lacrosse player of all time. Count her older sister Trish as her biggest fan.
“Having the opportunity to represent my country with not just my friends, but also my sister, was a very special experience” she said.