In a major step towards Australian Olympic success, the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) is proud to support Lacrosse Australia through a groundbreaking new partnership.

This collaboration will see SASI providing world-class preparation for Australian athletes on the pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where Lacrosse Sixes will feature for the first time.

To launch this initiative, SASI has hosted its first women’s lacrosse sixes camp from 30 May to 2 June at the Mile End Sports Precinct.

The four-day camp leverages SASI’s elite training facilities including a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning gym, recovery pools, and access to the training field within the adjacent SA Athletics Stadium.

Athletes also received comprehensive performance services spanning sports science, medicine, nutrition, and athlete wellbeing and engagement.

This initiative is the first activity under the new decentralised Centre of Excellence (COE) program, a national model that will provide consistent access to high-level training environments across Australia.

With SASI at its core, the program positions South Australia as a central hub in the development of Olympic-calibre lacrosse talent.

SASI Director Keren Faulkner said the partnership reflects a bold, athlete-first vision for the sport’s future in Australia.

“This program is built to support athletes every step of the way to LA 2028,” Faulkner said.

“By aligning with Lacrosse Australia, we are combining Olympic ambition with SASI’s proven high-performance expertise to give athletes the best possible chance to succeed.”

The camp was also the first opportunity for new Women’s Sixes Head Coach Katrina Dowd to work with the team.

The highly respected coach and former USA national team player travelled from New York to lead the group as preparations for the Olympic campaign officially began.

Lacrosse Australia Chair Abbie Burgess, said that the partnership with SASI, and the opportunity to utilise its brand new, state-of-the-art facility, would provide an incredible opportunity for Australia’s high performance lacrosse athletes.

“SASI is an elite training environment that hosts a number of other Olympic sports, so it provides a great opportunity for our athletes to experience that ecosystem and to see how these seasoned programs operate,” Burgess said.

“We are excited and grateful to be welcomed into the family and we look forward to a long-standing partnership, with SASI acting as our very own National Centre of Excellence.”

The SASI-Lacrosse Australia partnership not only enhances South Australia’s reputation in lacrosse but also establishes a sustainable, nationally integrated program focused on long-term athlete development and international success.