The Neville Smith tournament was dedicated to our dear friend, WHYLL founder and long time West Hartford resident Neville K. Smith. (Please see the bio on Neville which gives a brief look into Neville’s incredible lacrosse journey.) The members of WHYLL proudly and humbly honored Neville each year with the Neville Smith Tournament held in May. This tournament started in 2003 and ran through 2013.
The Neville Smith tournament was a junior ‘B’ tournament. The members of WHYLL loved the idea of making a special day for our ‘B’ teams. The WHYLL has always put a great deal of emphasis on our developmental divisions. Many of our ‘B’ players become key players on our area high school programs and beyond and they represent the majority of our players. This day is just for them!
A vital component of the Neville Smith Tournament is the focus on the history of lacrosse as Neville came to know it as a result of living and playing in the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Until his death in 2005, Neville visited the tournament to speak to the players about the history of lacrosse and its deep, spiritual roots; the players were mesmerized. We have attempted to continue this tradition. This year we will fly the Six Nations flag and dedicate a field to each of the Nations. Further, each year we award a hand-made wooden box lacrosse stick to the player, identified by our officials, who exemplifies the spirit of lacrosse by his courage, skill and spirit during the day. Below is a web site link for players and their families about the Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy and the roots of Lacrosse.
On behalf of West Hartford Youth Lacrosse and Neville’s family we are thankful for all of the support from those who have contributed to this tournament in Neville’s name.
Please visit this page for updates as we get closer to the tournament.
