Following the bouncing ball to the Canada Summer Games
By Max Campell
Without a doubt, the term “lax” is often associated with Bronwyn Fischer and Ruby Walbridge – albeit only in terms of the sport they play, and certainly never for any semblance of negligence.
The fellow NSS (National Sport School) students, well-established teammates, and good friends each devote impressive care and attention in the classroom and on the floor.
Yet with summer break in full swing, their focus has fully shifted to the latter, with a special opportunity that’s right around the corner.
Fischer and Walbridge were two of the 18 players named to Team Alberta’s U17 women’s box lacrosse team for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, to be hosted by St. John’s, Nfld., from Aug. 8-25.
In North America’s easternmost city, our country’s largest multi-sport event will see more than 4,000 of Canada’s top youth athletes from 17 sports.
“I’ve always wanted to try out for Team Alberta, and luckily for my year of U17, there is a Canada Summer Games, which is only every four years,” says Fischer, a 15-year-old attacking midfielder. “Some girls don’t get this opportunity.”
Tuesday practices in Red Deer and weekly training camps for multiple months have been preparing their squad physically, but their all-encompassing training regimen doesn’t stop there.
Joining Fischer and Walbridge in the Maritimes will be Perri Ford, the sports psychology consultant for their Canada Summer Games team and the Mental Performance Consultant for the NSS.
When not helping train the minds Fischer, Walbridge, and the rest of Team Alberta, Ford is available to each student-athlete at the NSS.
“I was worried about balancing my schoolwork and my sport, because it’s an everyday thing,” says Fischer, who recently completed her first year of high school at the WinSport campus. “Perri helps so much with managing any stress, and we can book in with her on any day at any time.”
Walbridge, the soon-to-be Grade 11 student, is also appreciative of Ford’s contributions, plus the many other unique NSS resources at her disposal.
“My favourite thing about being an NSS student is probably receiving all the support from the teachers and my peers,” says Walbridge, who plays the position of draw specialist in lacrosse. “I’m in an environment where I can succeed and I’m always able to get help when I need it. Also, I love the opportunities with the training programs here, like the Performance Training Centre and the athletic development classes. Those really help me become a better and stronger athlete.”
While the box version of lacrosse will be the name of the game in St. John’s, Fischer and Walbridge also actively play the field variety. The dynamic duo is rostered on a total of seven teams together throughout the year.
Along with differing equipment requirements and some rule variances, box lacrosse is played inside an arena, while field lacrosse is played outdoors on a much larger, grass surface.
Both teens dream of earning an NCAA lacrosse scholarship, with Walbridge one year closer to NSS graduation and a chance to continue competing (and studying) in college.
“Arizona State and Michigan have always been on my mind,” Walbridge visualizes, likely strengthened by her work with Ford. “And I want to study law and be a sports agent when I’m older.”
But before any post-secondary plans are made, let the Games begin!