On Sunday, June 17, Westwood Youth Lacrosse hosted its annual Davieson Annis Memorial U9 Jamboree. Twelve teams from Westwood, as well as Canton, Dedham, Norwood, Parkway, and Walpole, comprised of over 150 eight and nine year-old players, competed in the annual event. Each team played in three lacrosse games, making for a fun and competitive day of lacrosse and good sportsmanship.
The Jamboree is sponsored by Westwood Youth Lacrosse in honor of Davieson Annis, a former Westwood Youth Lacrosse coach who lost his battle with cancer. Part of the money raised from this tournament is used to support the Davieson Annis Lacrosse Scholarship Award, which is given each year to a Westwood High School senior boys lacrosse player who best exemplifies the values of teamwork, perseverance and positive attitude. The community honors Davieson by continuing to keep his memory alive and by playing the sport he loved with intensity, fairness, and respect for others.
New to the event this year was the sale of tournament shooter shirts. Proceeds from the sale of these specially-designed shooter shirts went to The Boston House. Since 1979, The Boston House: Hope and Healing for Children with Cancer has served as a home-away-from-home for children with cancer and their families. As an essential part of their overall care, The House provides its guests with low-cost and convenient accommodations in a safe and comfortable home-like setting. Here, children, families, and caregivers find comfort and support among staff, volunteers, and other families facing the life-changing realities of childhood cancer and other life-threatening hematological illnesses. To learn more about The Boston House or to make a donation, visit https://www.thebostonhouse.org.
Westwood Youth Lacrosse thanked all of the coaches and players who came out to play in the Jamboree and support these two special causes, as well as parents and family members who volunteered to help make the event a success. They also thanked the Boston Cannons and the Blackwolves, who each year, without hesitation, send a representative to spend time with the kids at the event. This year, Aaron Stanton of the Cannons and Alec Pacelli of the Blackwolves joined the kids. Finally, they also thanked to U9 Coach Ted Dempsey, who has served as the Jamboree coordinator for the last two years, planning and organizing all aspects of the event.
