Two years ago, after Grand River Attack won the Becky Smith 4th Annual Memorial senior women’s box lacrosse tournament, player Alisha Smith took a moment to honor the memory of her sister Becky.
“I carry her in my heart,” Smith said. Every time I step on the floor, I’m playing for her.”
This quote came back on June 24th 2018, not long after Alisha Smith’s other sister Linz Smith scored a hattrick in a 5-2 championship win in Hagersville against the Whitby Rush.
After winning what was their second straight Becky Smith Memorial Tournament gold, the Grand River Attack fell short last summer as they made it to the finals before dropping a 5-3 decision at Hagersville Arena against Author.
“Beck would be so honoured that we honour her in this way,” Linz Smith said. “I know she watches over all of us and smiles down when we play.”
Unfortunately, Becky Smith passed away in 2012, but her former Grand River Attack teammates and teams around the Senior Women’s box lacrosse league have been honoring her legacy with this tournament which is hosted by the Attack.
“Becky is truly missed everyday,” Becky Smith’s mother Tammy Jonathan said recently. “Becky was a very easygoing person and if you were her friend, she would protect you and be that person you can talk to and it wouldn’t go anywhere.”
This tournament isn’t only about playing competitive lacrosse but also about reminiscing about Becky, and of course honoring her by displaying her Grand River Attack #66 shirt behind the bench.
“I think she would be humble about it,” Alisha Smith said about Becky’s reaction to this Memorial tournament in her honor. “She would definitely be smiling down on us that’s for sure.” Smith also went on to add; ’’Becky was intense when it came to the people she loved. She had a big heart and would do anything for her family, friends and teammates. She was also very silly and had a great sense of humour. To know her was to love her.”
Unfortunately, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Becky Smith sixth annual Memorial Tournament will not be taking place this year.
In remembering about this Memorial tournament and what it stands for, Linz Smith stated, “I look forward to Becks tournament more than I do provincials. I love seeing all the players we played with over the years. It’s a beautiful thing that she touched so many hearts. It just makes me so happy and proud to be her sister. So many people loved her and it showed.”
