Students at St. Patrick Catholic School got a close-up look at international lacrosse this week, meeting members of the Jamaica men's and women's national teams while the squads were in the region for a major tournament.
The athletes were in Oshawa for the 2026 Pan-American (PALA) Sixes Lacrosse Championship, according to the Durham Catholic District School Board. The tournament is a key step toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where lacrosse will feature on the sport's biggest stage.
Student-athletes at the school had the chance to meet and talk with national team players who are competing at the highest level of the sport. The board described the visit as a demonstration of dedication, perseverance and national pride, and a sign of lacrosse's expanding global footprint.
Representation at the centre of the visit
For many students, the visit carried extra meaning because the players reflected the diversity of their own communities. As the sport grows and works to become more inclusive, the board said, seeing Black and Caribbean athletes succeed on the international stage helps young people understand there is a place for them in lacrosse, no matter their background.
The visit reinforced themes of diversity, representation and belonging, according to the board, and encouraged students to chase their own goals with confidence.
A tournament with Olympic stakes
The PALA Sixes Championship, hosted in Oshawa, brings together national squads from across the Americas competing in the fast-paced sixes format of the game. Its outcome matters beyond the standings: the tournament represents the first step on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
St. Patrick Catholic School thanked the visiting teams for sharing their time, experiences and passion for the game with the school community. The board said the athletes' visit left a lasting impression on students and staff alike, and underscored the power of sport to inspire, connect and open doors for the next generation.
