The Cincinnati Queens women's post-collegiate lacrosse team proudly raised $2,000 for the One Love Foundation over the weekend at their One Love Playday in memory of Yeardley Love. The second annual event featured games between the Cincinnati Queens, CapCity Lacrosse, Xavier University and the University of Kentucky. In addition to admission, the event raised funds through generous raffle and silent auction items, as well as One Love apparel.
Yeardley Love was a lacrosse player at the University of Virginia in 2010 when she became a fatal victim of relationship violence. The One Love Foundation is established in her memory for initiatives that combat relationship violence, provide equipment grants for underserved sports teams in need, and assist other non-profit projects.
Competitive yet friendly games between the Queens, CapCity, Xavier and Kentucky went on throughout the day. A single intermission was held between games to remember Yeardley through a touching speech by family friend of the Love's, Joddy Perry. A representative from Women Helping Women also took a moment to educate the teams and crowd about relationship violence realities and prevention. "We had beautiful weather and there was an obvious sense of community and camaraderie amongst everyone there, especially the teams. Having representation from the One Love Foundation, Women Helping Women and others who knew Yeardley personally helped us all to understand why we were there and served as inspiration and motivation to make the day as special as she was," said Event Coordinator Meg Sanders.
Additional support for the One Love Playday came from Major League Lacrosse's Ohio Machine, Laxland Sporting Goods, US Lacrosse Southern Ohio Chapter, UC Women's Lacrosse, Play It Again Sports, Women Helping Women, BeneFIT Studio, Lucky Lax, Joddy Perry, Kim Gunning and Ed Clark. All umpires donated time as well.
The inaugural One Love Playday started in 2011 with five participating local teams. The Cincinnati Queens program was established in 2010 to provide opportunities for women to play lacrosse post-college, as well as help raise the profile of the game through community interaction and events.
For more information, contact Meredith Post with the Cincinnati Queens at cincinnatiqueenslacrosse@gmail.com.
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