Val B El lis (Athlete)

 

Born 1928

 

Val’s lacrosse career began during World War Two as a junior in 1943 when he joined the Wembley Lacrosse Club.

His leadership qualities were recognised early as captain of the Wembley A Grade team during the 1950s.

The Wembley club dominated the Western Australian Lacrosse Association  A Grade competition from 1953 to 1960 when they were premiers every year..

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He was acknowledged as a  champion player in 1952 when he won the Western Australian Lacrosse Association Fairest and Best A Grade award.

His first Western Australian Lacrosse Association team was in 1948 in the under 21 years Colts team followed by the Western Australian Lacrosse Association senior team in 1949 when South Australia visited Perth.

State team selection followed in the Australian Carnival teams of 1953 1956 and 1959.

 

Vals leadership qualities were put to good use when he was the Captain and Coach of the 1956 team. He again captained the team in 1959.

 

His All-Australian Team selection was at the 1956 Australian Lacrosse Carnival held in Perth.

He was awarded  Australian Lacrosse Council Certificate of Merit in 1957 and Life Member Wembley Lacrosse Club in 1958.

 

Val had an outstanding lacrosse  playing career as an attack player during the 1950s and won All Australian team selection in an era that saw this recognition an uncommon experience for a Western Australian lacrosse player.