ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Stephanie Kelly

AGE: 24 | TIME PLAYING LACROSSE: 19 years

Future Stars Lacrosse athlete Stephanie Kelly has trained with us during the offseason and competed in the 2016 Southern Cross Tournament against two touring teams from Japan. This experience and opportunity helped Steph improve her shooting, stickwork and dodging giving her confidence to perform her best at U17 Nationals where she was a team captain of the Victorian Team and named in the All-Star Team. 

Steph played in the 2015 U19 Australian Team and 2022 Senior Australian Team. She also attended Saint Joseph’s University and Rutgers University as a NCAA DI Student-Athlete where she was named Atlantic-10 Offensive Player of the Year and team captain her senior year. Steph produced 237 career points from 2018-2021.

Favourite lacrosse player:
Caroline Steele (who is a Maryland graduate and ended up being one of my coaches at Saint Joseph’s University!). I loved watching Sam Gieserbach in the 2022 NCAA Div I National Championship for the University of North Carolina (UNC).
Aspirations in lacrosse:
Continue to represent Footscray, Victoria, and Australia and grow the game through coaching and supporting young players where I can.
What keeps you motivated:
Desire to play at the highest level.
What drew you to Future Stars Lacrosse?:
Wanted to develop my skills further with the goal of heading to the US to play Division I lacrosse in the NCAA.
What are your favourite sessions at Future Stars Lacrosse?
The competition such as playing in the 5v5 tournament. I liked meeting and playing with new people and also getting some extra fitness during the offseason.
How do you think Future Stars Lacrosse helped you develop as an athlete?
Helped develop my skills, attacking and defensive concepts, and exposed me to the demands of being a Division I athlete.
What did it feel like being named in the 2015 U19 Australian Team?
Happy, excited, proud and a reward for the hard work.
Tell us about the friends you have made through training with Future Stars Lacrosse?
Everyone was always happy to be at the trainings and it was a positive environment making friendships that last forever!
What would you say to anyone considering joining Future Stars Lacrosse?
Super beneficial to join a group that all want to develop their skills and your goals align. It’s a great avenue to learn more about the game and improve your game.
How was Sarah Mollison able to help you become a student athlete at a Division I college in the US?
Prepared me for the level of organisation, dedication, mental and physical toughness that is needed to be a Division I lacrosse player part of the NCAA. She also assisted with her many contacts all over the USA, allowing for a wider range of opportunity.
What did you love most about going to college in the US as a student athlete?
It’s an experience you won’t get anywhere else or at any other time in your life. Being part of a NCAA Women’s lacrosse program, specifically with Rutgers, offered me the opportunity to play against top 10 teams across the USA that I otherwise would not have had. It also offered opportunity to travel with 35 of my best friends every year, play the game I love, all while getting a bachelors and masters.
What are two of the toughest things about being in college?
Time management and organisation. As a student-athlete, you need to prioritise between your studies, lacrosse and social life. It’s tough but being mentally and physically prepared for all the above make all the hard work worth it.
What advice would you have for players hesitant to sign up to Future Stars Lacrosse?
Nothing to lose! You’re only going to develop your skills in a positive, welcoming and friendly environment among people who also want to improve.
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