Latest News
Lacrosse player looks to impact next generation
July 27, 2023
Jamaica's 17-year-old lacrosse sensation Stone Evans, who came to prominence following the island's outstanding run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup recently, wants to leave a lasting legacy on the progress of the sport in the country to add to his impact on the field.
Born in the United States, Evans said whether he is on the field competing or helping to conduct coaching courses on the island, he wants to help make lacrosse a sport of choice for the ordinary Jamaican in the future.
"It's nice to see things moving forward for the sport and for Jamaica's lacrosse. That is very special to me as well.
"I knew I was going to do the best I could. I stepped up in the right moments when my team needed me the most, and I am very proud of myself," he said of his World Cup performance.
"The next step is to impact the game as much as I can, like coaching young kids to help the next generation as much as I can, and I want to be able to do that.
"So whether it's me playing or coaching the game, as long as I can impact the game to the best of my ability, I want to do that," Evans told STAR Sports.
"Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to make it to the island soon to help educate the youths. I know they have the game geared towards the younger kids there, but I want to inspire the next generation. That's my next goal," he continued.
Evans believes that Jamaica have a great talent pool that can challenge for a World Cup medal at the next tournament, and he wants to lead that charge in the next four years.
"I see myself leading the national team to international glory. My personal goal was to make it to this level and perform at a high level, which I accomplished. So my next step is to look at a different area of helping others and not just myself.
"So the next generation I am excited about because that next generation is the future of Jamaica.
"I don't want Jamaica to be known for track and field and football only. I think lacrosse is a sport we can strive in, and with the right resources and people to help us do that, anything is possible," he insisted.
He added that he only sees Jamaica's lacrosse moving upward from hereon.
"The first team in 2018 was very talented. On paper, this (2023) team was maybe a little more talented, but each Jamaican team moving forward will be special," Evans said.
