For 19-year-old Holly Dini, representing her country on the world stage requires a grueling daily balancing act. Alongside her rigorous training schedule, Dini is studying biomedical engineering full-time and working two jobs—one at a restaurant and another as a receptionist.

Her relentless work ethic has earned her a coveted spot on the Australian under-20 lacrosse team for this month's World Championships in Hong Kong. However, the honor of wearing the green and gold comes with a heavy financial burden: a personal bill of approximately $13,000.

A Costly Road to the Olympic Stage

Because Lacrosse Australia lacks the resources to cover the team's travel and tournament expenses, the financial responsibility falls directly on the players. "It's quite hard, but it's worth it," Dini said of her demanding routine. "There are some days when I just don't want to get up, but it's like, 'How bad do I want it?'"

The financial strain comes at a pivotal moment for the sport. Lacrosse is set to make its highly anticipated return as an official medal sport at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles—marking its first appearance on the Olympic program since 1908. Players and coaches hope this milestone will finally prompt a major shift in how the sport is funded domestically.

The Funding Disparity

Currently, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) allocates a mere $50,000 in annual funding to Lacrosse Australia. When compared to other sports, the disparity is stark. Basketball receives $3.8 million in funding for an estimated 850,000 active adult participants, while hockey secures over $2.9 million with nearly 180,000 players.

More surprisingly, lacrosse—which boasts over 9,000 active participants nationwide and a history of international success—receives less funding than artistic swimming, which has just over 1,600 participants but receives $75,000 from the ASC.

Wendy Walsh, the assistant coach for the Australian under-20 women’s team, believes the federal government needs to urgently reassess its funding models ahead of the 2028 Games.

"Considering the Olympics are around the corner, we really need to amp that up," Walsh said. "The fact that you have to work three jobs and then go to uni and still train five days a week to wear the colors of your country, I find that a little sad really."

Walsh pointed out that competitors in nations like the United States, Japan, and China benefit from fully professional leagues and substantial financial backing. "There should be some sort of funding or pathway for us to be able to tap into to fund these girls to go," she added.

A Legacy of International Success

Despite the lack of systemic financial support, Australian lacrosse has consistently punched above its weight internationally. The nation's trophy cabinet features world championship medals of every color. The men’s national team has historically claimed three silver and seven bronze medals, while the women’s team has brought home two golds, four silvers, and four bronzes—most recently winning bronze in 2022 under the new Olympic six-a-side format.

For rising star Kelsea Lawson, 18, the upcoming World Championships in Hong Kong serve as a launchpad toward the ultimate goal: Los Angeles 2028.

"I think the Olympics are the pinnacle of any sport, and the fact that lacrosse now has that opportunity is so exciting," Lawson said. "It really gives me a whole new level of motivation to work hard, to be able to give myself the best chance to get there."

Lawson, whose father also represented Australia in lacrosse, is one of 10 South Australians who have made up the core of this year's under-20 squad. Her international prospects have been bolstered by a Division 1 athletic scholarship to the University of Rhode Island in the United States, where she will play in the Rams' inaugural season.

Eyes on the Ultimate Prize

With the Paris Olympics now concluded, the reality of the 2028 Games has come into sharp focus for the young squad. The transition from a distant dream to a tangible target has injected a fresh sense of urgency into their training.

"The opportunity to play in the Olympics doesn't seem so far away anymore," Lawson said. "It's real. It's here and it's possible for all of us."

Coach Walsh remains incredibly optimistic about what this group can achieve on the world stage if given the right support.

"Australian lacrosse is very different to US lacrosse—there is something special about it. We are gritty and relentless," Walsh said. "These girls brought a culture and a cohesion to this team that I have never seen before. If we play the way we love to play, anything is possible. We could come home with a gold medal."