Sports can take athletes in many different directions such as the university, the professional level, or a chance to represent their province or even country.  

For Moose Jaw lacrosse players Mason Williams and Cashton Seaborg, the game took them to Australia to represent Canada at the inaugural International Indoor Junior Lacrosse (IIJL) Commonwealth Cup in Melbourne.  

Both Williams and Seaborg have since returned to Moose Jaw to talk about their experience.  

“It was awesome down there and had lots of fun,” says Williams. “We got to see all the best parts of Australia. We meshed really well as a group and played well individually as well.” 

“It was an awesome experience to be down there and represent our country,” adds Seaborg.  

Canada downed Australia in the championship game 10-4 to walk away with the IIJL Commonwealth Cup. The team finished a perfect 4-0, outscoring their opponents 58-36 in the process.  

“I didn’t really know what to think because we both had really good games,” explains Williams. “It was great to hold it up and let everyone know that we won.” 

Both players had exceptional tournaments on the scoresheet. Williams finished sixth in the tournament scoring with eight goals and six assists for 14 points in four games.

Seaborg on the other hand led the tournament in scoring with 13 goals and six assists for 19 points.  

“I was just moving the ball around to see who was open and was trying to put the ball in the net,” says Seaborg. 

In their second game of the tournament, Seaborg earned himself the Outback Lacrosse Award, after an eight-point performance in a 20-14 win over the Adelaide Thunder.

Canada was made up of elite players from across the country, which sometimes takes some getting used to. That was not the case for this squad.  

“It was really easy. We all knew what we were there to do so there wasn't much of an adjustment period, as we all knew our roles,” Williams explained.  

The two did mention that they took a lot away from playing in their first international event representing their country.  

“A lot of friendships were made and now I have friends all over Canada now.” 

“The roommates were good, and we all bonded as soon as we all saw each other.” 

The two were hand-selected by the Canadian Lacrosse League (CLL) to take part in the tournament as part of the CLL Canada Development Team. 

Williams notes following a CLL Regional Combine the two were contacted via email asking them to play in this tournament and obviously they said yes.  

Seaborg and Williams are products of the Moose Jaw Mustangs lacrosse program. The two have represented their province playing for Team Saskatchewan at last year's Canada Summer Games, along with Moose Jaw competing in the USA Winter Box Lacross Nationals in Arizona in January.  

They wouldn’t have been able to attend the tournament without the generous support and donations from community businesses and organizations to assist with the cost of getting to Australia.  

Stay tuned for what’s next for Seaborg and Williams in the years ahead.  

(With files from Shawn Slaght/Discover Moose Jaw)