Match Focus | Putney v Hawks | SEWLA Premiership

On Sunday, on week four in the South East Women’s Lacrosse Association (SEWLA) Premiership, unbeaten Hawks travel to Putney looking to continue their impressive start to the 2024/25 season.

Hawks finished second in the league last year with 52 points and have started in blistering form with three wins from three games so far this season, scoring 49 goals in the process and conceding just 20.

An opening day 10-6 win over New Stars was followed by a huge 20-6 victory over Clapham in week two before a third win of the season was secured with a 19-8 win against newly promoted West London last week.

Hawks boast a wealth of talent in their ranks this year, including England’s Ella Cohen and Zoe Lovibond and England development squad player Zimeng Wu; England women’s team manager Debs Owen will captain Hawks against Putney.

In 2024/25, Hawks celebrates its 76th birthday having entered the league structure in 1948 as Hatch End Ladies Lacrosse Club, playing their home games at Bedford College’s Headstone Lane.

Since then, the club has moved home no less than five times before landing at Tring Park Cricket Club in 2014 where it has remained for the last 10 years.

Putney, who finished in fifth-place in the Premiership last year, have also had an excellent start to the season, winning two out of their three games so far.

In week one, they claimed a 12-7 win away at Clapham which was followed up by a 10-5 home victory against West London.

Last week’s third match of the season saw them taste defeat for the first time in 2024/25 with a 14-1 loss to reigning league and National Club champions Blues.

Putney has a long history of producing international-level players with Wales goalie Harriet Brooks and Scotland’s Grace and Bella Penny in their current squad.

Putney v Hawks starts at Hawks’ Haydon’s Road Ground, London at 11am.

For more information about SEWLA and their leagues, click HERE.

SEWLA Premiership Week 4 Fixtures (all 20 October)

New Stars v Blues | Haberdashers’ Girls’ School | 11am *POSTPONED*
Putney v Hawks | Haydon’s Road Ground | 11am
Clapham v Spencer | Haydon’s Road Ground | 11am
West London v Centaurs | Wormwood Scrubs | 11am

British Lacrosse teams take part in USA Lacrosse Experience and World Lacrosse Super Sixes

British Lacrosse teams took part in two overseas tournaments last weekend, taking on some of the best teams and players in the world, in the latest part of their journey towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

A British Lacrosse men’s and women’s team competed at the inaugural USA Lacrosse Experience in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA on 11 and 12 October, taking on Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the United States.

The British Lacrosse women’s team came away with two wins against Puerto Rico (17-3) and Colombia (32-1) alongside a 22-9 defeat to the USA as Phil Collier’s side took part in the first international sixes competition since the conclusion of the 2024 Olympics.

Liv Wimpenny and Torz Anderson were two of British Lacrosse’s stand-out performers scoring 21 points between them over the three games.

In the men’s competition, British Lacrosse left Indiana with one 21-18 win over Colombia and two defeats courtesy of Puerto Rico (16-14) and the USA (26-17).

Head Coach Tom Wenham will be pleased with his team’s efforts in the two defeats, however, despite a slow opening quarter against Puerto Rico proving to be the deciding factor in that loss; to stay within nine points of the USA in a game of Sixes Lacrosse is no mean feat.

Lyndon Bunio, fresh from becoming the all-time top points scorer for the England box team, continued his blistering points scoring run with 15 over the three games while Alex Russell and Drew Bickerton showed why they’re two of British Lacrosse’s and England’s brightest sparks scoring 12 and 11 points respectively.

Across the border in Coquitlam, Canada, British Lacrosse also sent a women’s team to compete in the 2024 World Lacrosse Super Sixes tournament.

They played matches against Haudenosaunee and Canada playing each team twice over 11, 12, and 13 October, proving they can compete against some of the best in world.

The round robin stage saw British Lacrosse claim two wins over Haudenosaunee as well as a famous 12-11 sudden-death over-time win over Canada; their other game against the hosts ended in defeat.

This set up a third match against Haudenosaunee in the semi-final which British Lacrosse were unable to get through, losing narrowly 11-9 and finishing the tournament in third place but with a great deal of optimism for the future.

For more information about the USA Lacrosse Experience, click HERE, and to watch every British Lacrosse game from the World Lacrosse Super Sixes event, click HERE.

USA Lacrosse Experience

Men

Puerto Rico 16-14 British Lacrosse (5-2, 4-3, 4-5, 3-4)

British Lacrosse scorers | Alex Russell (3G, 2A), Lyndon Bunio (3G, 1A), Drew Bickerton (2G, 2A), Ben Page-Laycock (3G), Dan Jones (2G, 1A), Ryan Hunns (2A), Will Prescott (1G).

British Lacrosse saves | William Baxter 8 (9 goals against), Hal Dwobeng 7 (7 goals against).

British Lacrosse 21-18 Colombia (7-4, 6-8, 3-4, 5-2)

British Lacrosse scorers | Drew Bickerton (3G, 3A), Ben Page-Laycock (4G, 1A), Ryan Hunns (3G, 1A), Lyndon Bunio (2G, 1A), Tommy Kirkland (2G), Mike Pomfret (2G), Daniel Jones (1G, 1A), Will Prescott (1G), Alex Russell (2G, 1A), Luke Mills-Doig (1G), Will Shirt (1A).

British Lacrosse saves | Hal Dwobeng 4 (12 goals against), William Baxter 12 (6 goals against).

United States 26-17 British Lacrosse (5-3, 6-3, 7-4, 8-7)

British Lacrosse scorers | Lyndon Bunio (6G, 2A), Daniel Jones (5G), Alex Russell (1G, 3A), William Shirt (2G), Ben Page-Laycock (1G, 1A), William Prescott (1G), Tomos Rosser (1G), Drew Bickerton (1A), Ryan Hunns (1A).

British Lacrosse saves | William Baxter 8 (11 goals against), Hal Dwoweng 4 (11 goals against).

Women

British Lacrosse 17-13 Puerto Rico (4-4, 3-3, 9-2, 1-3)

British Lacrosse scorers | Georgie Southorn (5G), Lottie Robertson (2G, 2A), Liv Wimpenny (2G, 2A), Torz Anderson (3G), Alice Ripper (1G, 2A), Anna Neville (1G), Emma Oakley (1G), Tilly Shires (1G), Sofia Wise (1G), Sienna Parekh (1A), Emma Savage (1A), Dylan Whittington (1A).

British Lacrosse saves | Sienna Parekh 9 (10 goals against), Dylan Whittington 3 (3 goals against).

British Lacrosse 32-1 Colombia (11-1, 4-0, 9-0, 8-0)

British Lacrosse scorers | Torz Anderson (3G, 4A), Liv Wimpenny (5G, 1A), Sofia Wise (4G, 2A), Tilly Shires (4G, 1A), Anna Neville (3G, 1A), Alice Ripper (3G, 1A), Lauren Hart (2G, 1A), Emma Oakley (2G, 1A), Emma Savage (2G, 1A), Lottie Robertson (2G), Georgie Southorn (2G), Sienna Parekh (1A).

British Lacrosse saves | Sienna Parekh 5 (1 goal against).

United States 22-9 British Lacrosse (3-2, 9-4, 4-2, 6-1)

British Lacrosse scorers | Anna Neville (3G), Sofia Wise (2G), Emma Oakley (1G), Alice Ripper (1G, 1A), Emma Savage (1G, 1A), Liv Wimpenny (1G), Lottie Robertson (1A).

British Lacrosse saves | Dylan Whittington 10 (13 goals against), Sienna Parekh 4 (9 goals against).

British Lacrosse Total Scoring (USA Lacrosse Experience)

1. Lyndon Bunio | 15 (11G, 4A)

2. Alex Russell | 12 (6G, 6A)

3. Liv Wimpenny | 11 (8G, 3A)

4. Drew Bickerton | 11 (5G, 6A)

5. Dan Jones | 10 (8G, 2A)

6. Ben Page-Laycock | 10 (8G, 2A)

7. Torz Anderson | 10 (6G, 4A)

8. Sofia Wise | 9 (7G, 2A)

9. Alice Ripper | 9 (5G, 4A)

10. Anna Neville | 8 (7G, 1A)

11. Georgie Southorn | 7 (7G)

12. Lottie Robertson | 7 (4G, 3A)

13. Ryan Hunns | 7 (3G, 4A)

14. Tilly Shires | 6 (5G, 1A)

15. Emma Savage | 6 (3G, 3A)

16. Emma Oakley | 5 (4G, 1A)

17. Will Prescott | 3 (3G)

18. Lauren Hart | 3 (2G, 1A)

19. Will Shirt | 3 (2G, 1A)

20. Tommy Kirkland | 2 (2G)

21. Mike Pomfret | 2 (2G)

22. Sienna Parekh | 2 (2A)

23. Luke Mills-Doig | 1 (1G)

24. Tomos Rosser | 1(1G)

25. Dylan Whittington | 1 (1A)

Canada Super Sixes

Women

British Lacrosse 11-8 Haudenosaunee (1-2; 7-1; 2-1; 2-4)
BL Scorers: Hannah Whiteley (2G, 1A), Chess Gray (2G), Minty Loxton (2G), Anna Saunter (2G), Emily Gray (1G, 1A), Julie Wise (1G, 1A), Cece Green (1G), Millie Hughes (1G), Lucy Devine (1A), Loulou Rowlands (1A)

British Lacrosse 13-14 Canada (5-3; 1-4; 5-5; 2-2)
BL Scorers: Loulou Rowlands (3G, 1A), Cece Green (2G, 1A), Minty Loxton (2G, 1A), Ella Cohen (2G), Millie Hughes (2G), Georgie Greenwood (1G), Hannah Whiteley (1G), Chess Gray (2A), Lucy Devine (1A)

British Lacrosse 12-11 Canada (OT) 2-3; 3-3; 5-1; 1-4; 1-0)
BL Scorers: Minty Loxton (3G, 3A), Anna Saunter (2G, 1A), Lucy Devine (1G, 2A), Ella Cohen (2G), Cece Green (2G), Loulou Rowlands (1G), Hannah Whiteley (1G), Chess Gray (1A), Emily Gray (1A)

British Lacrosse 12-5 Haudenosaunee (3-0; 2-0; 5-1; 2-4)
BL Scorers: Ella Cohen (3G, 1A), Minty Loxton (3G, 1A), Emily Gray (2G), Chess Gray (1G), Loulou Rowlands (1G), Anna Saunter (1G), Julie Wise (1G), Lucy Devine (2A), Emilie Chandler (1A), Georgie Greenwood (1A), Hannah Whiteley (1A)

British Lacrosse 9-11 Haudenosaunee | 2nd v 3rd (4-4; 3-2; 1-2; 1-3)
BL Scorers: Minty Loxton (2G, 2A), Lucy Devine (2G), Chess Gray (2G), Cece Green (2G), Hannah Whiteley (1G, 1A), Emily Gray (3A), Julie Wise (1A)

British Lacrosse Total Scoring (Canada Super Sixes)

1. Minty Loxton | 19 (12G, 7A)

2. Cece Green | 9 (7G, 2A)

3. Lucy Devine | 9 (3G, 6A)

4. Ella Cohen | 8 (7G, 1A)

5. Chess Gray | 8 (5G, 3A)

6. Hannah Whiteley | 8 (5G, 3A)

7. Emily Gray | 8 (3G, 5A)

8. Loulou Rowlands | 7 (5G, 2A)

9. Anna Saunter | 6 (5G, 1A)

10. Millie Hughes | 4 (3G, 1A)

11. Julie Wise | 4 (2G, 2A)

12. Georgie Greenwood | 2 (1G, 1A)

13. Emilie Chandler | 1 (1A)

University Aspire Programme | Carter Clothier

With the second year of the England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme due to begin with two assessment days in October and November, we’ve spoken to some of the players who took part in the inaugural year of the Programme.

Carter Clothier first started playing lacrosse when he began studying at university three years ago; it started off as a social activity but quickly became a little more serious as he played more and increased his skills on the field.

Prior to starting university, Carter had been an exceptional short distance sprinter, competing at international level in both the 60m and 100m, and he found the transition from athletics to lacrosse relatively easy.

“I found that a lot I had learned from running was transferred very easily into lacrosse. Obviously most importantly my speed but using speed and turning it into a useful lacrosse skill took some time, as well as the physicality aspect. And the reason I switched was because I just really enjoyed the team aspect as that’s something I never really had with running.” 

As Carter became more serious about playing lacrosse, the England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme was the perfect opportunity for him to test out his skills and improve with the help of the Programme’s coaches as well as other members of the squad.

“The University Aspire Programme has helped me improve in every aspect of my game. The assessment days, although daunting, gave valuable feedback to help for the training sessions that followed as well as things I could take home and work on at university level.

“Having access to international standard coaching is always a privilege and the Lisboa Cup was such a nice way to get to put all that we had been working towards into practice.

“The biggest things that the University Aspire Programme has helped me with are technique, when it comes to stick work like passing and shooting, but also has helped me to massively improve my lacrosse IQ.” 

With two assessment days for potential 2024/25 members of the England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme coming up later this month and in November, Carter wants to encourage as many people as possible to get involved.

“This is a very unique opportunity to have access to coaching at such a high level. The whole point of the Programme is to help every single person that attends to improve.

“Even if you don’t end up making the squad, you will coached by some of the best in the country and that alone is worth it. Everyone is so friendly and it’s not as scary as it might seem.” 

The England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme aims to identify athletes who are not currently a part of any England Lacrosse programmes but have the potential to progress into the England Lacrosse Perform Programme.

To identify possible 2024/25 University Aspire Programme athletes, England Lacrosse is hosting two assessment days: the first at Bath University’s Odd Down Sports Ground on Sunday 27 October and the second at Nottingham Trent University on Sunday 10 November.

Each assessment day will include men’s and women’s sessions lasting approximately two and a half hours each with lacrosse coaching from experienced coaches from within the England Perform Programme.

Assessment Days

Sunday 27 October
Bath, Odd Down Sports Ground
Men's Assessment | 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Women's Assessment | 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Sunday 10 November
Nottingham Trent University
Men's Assessment | 11:00am - 1:30pm
Women’s Assessment | 3:30pm - 6:00pm

1974 England squad to host Q&A evening

The 1974 England men’s squad who finished second at that year’s World Championship and are the last England team to defeat USA are set to host a special question and answer evening on Saturday 9 November.

Taking place a Cheadle Lacrosse Club, Greater Manchester from 7:30pm, the evening will also include players from the ‘74 squad entertaining the crowd with tales from the 1974 World Championship cycle and their lacrosse careers as a whole.

Tickets are available to buy for £12.50 which includes a complimentary bacon sandwich.

All money raised will go towards the fundraising pot for the England senior team ahead of their trip to Hungary for the 2025 ELF Men’s Championship next summer.

England Lacrosse launches university lacrosse players survey

England Lacrosse is delighted to, once again, launch our bi-annual survey for all university lacrosse players designed to monitor and measure the personal well-being and social outcomes of lacrosse participants at university.

The survey will enable us to evidence the impact lacrosse participation has on students' well-being, mental health and future prospects.

The anonymous information provided will enable England Lacrosse to understand the impact participating in lacrosse has on an individual’s well-being and social outcomes in the university environment and how we can adapt and develop the lacrosse offer at university to better serve the university lacrosse community.

Volunteer at BUCS 6s Championship this weekend

England Lacrosse is looking for volunteers to support the 2024 British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Lacrosse 6s Championship taking place on Sunday 20 October.

Taking place at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, the annual competition, that showcases the six-a-side version of lacrosse that will be seen at the 2028 LA Olympic Games, sees some of the best university teams battle it out to be named the best in the country.

There are a number of volunteer roles available, including table officials, stewarding, general competition assistant.

BUCS Lacrosse Sixes is the largest university lacrosse competition playing the Olympic Sixes version of the sport with the 2023 tournament seeing over 45 teams take part.

At that 2023 competition, the University of Nottingham claimed both the men’s and women’s Championship titles after wins over Nottingham Trent University and Durham University respectively.

In the Trophy competition, Nottingham Trent University 2s secured the men’s title and University of Nottingham 2s claimed victory in the women’s final.

Play at The Fly 2025

The Fly Sixes Lacrosse is now seeking player applications for our 2025 competition taking place on 17/18 May and 31 May/1 June next year!

Once again, our four men’s and four women’s teams will be back and ready to compete for The Fly Championship with games being played at venues in the north and south of the country.

The Fly is committed to placing players at the heart of our event, showcasing the best and brightest talent in the UK and the world, while supporting our aspiring athletes to develop and achieve within a performance environment.

The Fly has provided the platform for international Sixes stars to shine at The World Games and World Lacrosse Super Sixes events, and now you’ve got the chance to take to the same field in 2025.

The best Sixes players in the UK and the world will be on display this summer delivering high-level, high-intensity, and high-drama lacrosse in front of big crowds.

Player applications will be assessed anonymously by a selection panel to identify the top athletes across each of the men’s and women’s game to progress into the selection pool, ensuring an appropriate standard of competition that gives opportunities to both established internationals, and the brightest young talent coming through to be the future of the sport.

The Fly would encourage players from all backgrounds and experiences to apply and we welcome applications from players all across the UK, as well as players from throughout the international lacrosse community.

Player applications are open until Sunday 10 November.

Play in SBL's 2024/25 Winter Box League

Southern Box Lacrosse (SBL) has opened the player draft ahead of the 2024/25 Winter Box League taking place across four competition days in December and January.

Prospective men’s and women’s players have until 6pm on Sunday 17 November to register for the draft by completing the registration form and paying the £10 draft entry fee that will be refunded if not successful in the draft.

If successful, each player will be required to buy a £20 game pass for each game day they are involved in with the total cost to play in Winter Box League the same as in 2023/24 at £90.

The minimum age for the men’s competition is 18 while the minimum age for the women’s tournament is 16 and all players must hold a valid England Lacrosse membership and not be serving any domestic competition suspension over the period of the Winter Box League season.

Once the registration period closes, the draft will take place during the week commencing Monday 18 November where players will be distributed between the four men’s and two women’s teams.

Player Draft and Team Selection Rules:

• Team coaches may draft up to 25 players per team.

• Team coaches may protect a number of players from their 2023/24 squad. Such players pay the entry fee but cannot be selected by another team. The number of protected players for this season will be agreed in consultation with the Team Coaches.

• A player may decline protection and enter the draft as a free agent. In this scenario, the Team Coach can choose a different player to protect.

• A Team Coach or Team Manager who was a player for a different team last season may be one of the protected players for the team they are coaching or managing this season.

• The competition draft shall use a sequential draft with the pick order as per last year’s results. 

• Players not drafted will receive a refund of their £10 entry fee.

• The maximum size of a game day squad is 18 runners and up to two goalies, as per World Lacrosse box lacrosse playing rules.

• Players selected to be dressed for a game day will be required to purchase a £20 game pass from the SBL online store before midday on the game day. Players who have not purchased a game pass will not be permitted to play in the game.

• The SBL executive reserves the right to consider exceptional circumstances to the above rules.

Please note, SBL will be following England Lacrosse safeguarding good practice guidance.

2024/25 Winter Box League game dates are 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 5 Jan & 12 Jan. Subject to final game scheduling, games will commence at 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30. 

Equipment Hire

SBL has a limited supply of box lacrosse equipment that they will endeavour to make available to players to hire. The player application form captures details of those who wish to hire equipment.

England Lacrosse to host umpire mentor sessions

England Lacrosse is delighted to announce a series of umpire mentor sessions over the next four months designed for those umpires looking to progress through the officiating pathway.

With two sessions in October and two in February 2025, the umpire mentor sessions are suitable for current Level 1 and Level 2 umpires wishing to gain additional knowledge and insight which will aid them in progressing through the officiating pathway.

The sessions will be led by England Lacrosse mentors/tutors who are qualified at Level 3+ and will offer guidance, advice and practical knowledge of how to manage game based situations.

Costing just £10 per session, the sessions will be held at Brooklands Lacrosse Club, Heathfield School, and Berkhamsted School.

To book your spot on one of the umpire mentor sessions, click HERE.

Dates and Venues:
Sunday 20 October 2024 | Brooklands Lacrosse Club | 10am-4pm
Saturday 26 October 2024 | Heathfield School | 10am-4pm
Sunday 16 February 2025 | Brooklands Lacrosse Club | 10am-4pm
Sunday 23 February 2025 | Berkhamsted School | 10am-4pm

Match Focus | Sheffield v Poynton | NWLA Premier 1

On Saturday, in the third week of fixtures in the North West Lacrosse Association (NWLA) Premier 1, early league leaders Poynton take on sixth-placed Sheffield Steelers in Sheffield looking for a third win to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Poynton, who finished fourth last season, have so far played two and won two in 2024/25, defeating Heaton Mersey 12-7 on opening day and Mellor 23-1 last week.

They currently have the best defence in the league, conceding just eight goals in their two games, and have also scored the most with 35 goals, 13 more than any other team.

Sheffield have only played one match so far this season, a narrow and respectable 12-8 defeat away to last year’s flags finals winners and league runners-up Stockport, and head into this second game looking to get their 2024/25 campaign up and running with a first win.

Sheffield and Poynton have a rich history as lacrosse clubs with both teams celebrating significant milestones in 2023: Poynton celebrating their 50th anniversary with Sheffield turning 40.

Despite celebrating 50 years as Poynton last year, there has been a lacrosse club in the area since 1889 (Offerton Lacrosse Club) which eventually became a part of Poynton Sports Club in 1973.

In recent years, Poynton has been hugely successful, winning major silverware such as the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Flags titles and the 2018 Ken Galluccio Cup.

Since their formation in 1983, Sheffield Steelers has won six Bath Eights titles and has produced many talented players throughout the years including current England players and Nottingham Trent University first team captains Nathan Wilkinson and Will Locker.

Sheffield Steelers v Poynton faces off at Hallam Sports Park, Sheffield at 2pm.

For more information about NWLA and their leagues, click HERE.

NWLA Premier 1 Week 3 Fixtures

Mellor v Timperley | 2pm
Sheffield v Poynton | 2pm
Stockport v Heaton Mersey | 2pm

Coaching applications open for SBL's Winter Box League

Applications are now open for Team Coaches for the 2024/25 Southern Box Lacrosse (SBL) Winter Box League season.

Taking place over four Sundays in December 2024 and January 2025, SBL’s Winter Box League is entering its third season and will follow a similar format to last year’s competition; two women’s teams (Ravens and Blaze) will take on each other in the women’s league and four men’s teams (Capitals, Knights, Steelheads, and Hornets) will take part in the men’s league.

Each Team Coach will be responsible for selecting and coaching players throughout the 2024/25 Winter Box League, including during the draft process and competition days, and setting the standard for commitment, professionalism, and integrity for their team.

The Team Coach is expected to be available for each game day and will receive a £40 match fee plus up to £25 in travel at 40p per mile for each game day attended; it is recommended that the Team Coach is not a player-coach.

Team Coaches are responsible for recruiting a Team Manager, who will also receive a £40 match fee plus up to £25 in travel at 40p per mile for each game day attended.

Supporting the Team Coaches, Team Managers will be the primary contact with the league management team and their squad, and ensure the Winter Box League and their team are promoted in a professional manner on social media. Team Managers will also be responsible for team equipment, such as playing jerseys. Although preferable, the Team Manager does not need to attend each game day.

Applicants must have a valid England Lacrosse membership, be over the age of 18 at the time of application, not currently serving any form of suspension issued by a regional association or England Lacrosse, and hold a valid coaching qualification recognised by England Lacrosse of at least Coaching Field Lacrosse (Level 2).

2024/25 Winter Box League competition days:

•  Sunday 8 December 2024

•  Sunday 15 December 2024

•  Sunday 5 January 2025

•  Sunday 12 January 2025

All games will be held at the Oxford Academy 3G Dome, OX4 6JZ. 

To apply, email robert.gooch@gmail.com with the following information:

• Full name.

• Contact email and telephone number.

• England Lacrosse membership number.

• Any previous affiliation or preference for a Winter Box League team, including if you have a preference to work with a men’s or women’s team.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 3rd November 2024.

The SBL Winter Box League management team will review applications and contact applicants within five working days of applications closing.

For more information, visit the Southern Box Lacrosse website HERE.

England Lacrosse Board Statement: Coaching Complaint

England Lacrosse Board statement RE: Coaching Complaint

Following complaints received from senior athletes in February regarding coaching standards in one of our performance teams, and in accordance with our published processes and protocols, England Lacrosse promptly initiated an investigation and a review by a disciplinary panel. Based on the findings of the panel, recommendations were made to improve the coaching standards and ensure compliance with our codes of conduct and values.

In September, further complaints were lodged with new evidence against a performance coach. In line with our policies and procedures, the coach was immediately suspended from their role, and a disciplinary process was initiated. After a thorough investigation, the disciplinary panel has reached the conclusion that the coach will no longer hold their position within England Lacrosse.

We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all athletes involved in our sport, and we treat athlete welfare matters with the utmost seriousness. England Lacrosse remains dedicated to maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all members of our community.

Whilst we will be making no further comment on this matter, if anyone has concerns or would like to discuss athlete welfare or any safeguarding matters, we encourage them to contact our safeguarding team directly through any of the methods listed on our website HERE

University Aspire Programme | Rob MacLennan

With the second year of the England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme due to begin with two assessment days in October and November, we’ve spoken to some of the players who took part in the inaugural year of the Programme.

Rob MacLennan wasn’t aware of lacrosse until he started studying at university in Cambridge when he, as a fresher, tried lots of new sports and a friend invited him to try out mixed lacrosse. From here, Rob never looked back.

“I quickly grew to love the pace, intensity, and challenge of the new sport, as well as how welcoming and fun the club community was, and decided to properly commit to it just before the pandemic hit.

“As frustrating as lockdown was, having so much time on my hands meant I could do lots of wall ball and shooting practice, so by the time we were able to start playing matches again in my third year I was ready to hit the ground running and really feel my rapid improvement as a player.” 

Before starting university, Rob was a serious fencer, representing Great Britain on the under-17 and under-20 World Cup circuit for four years. When he started his university studies, however, he was ready for a change.

“I got to the point where I felt a bit disillusioned with the sport and had hit a ceiling, and wanted a new challenge when I started university.

“In particular, I wanted to try a field sport, which I hadn't had the opportunity to do at a serious level before. Lacrosse ended up being a perfect fit, as most people hadn't started the sport before university so it was accessible for beginners and had a steep learning curve, especially for athletic and coordinated people transitioning from other sports.

“While a completely different sport, I found that there were a lot of transferrable skills between fencing and lacrosse. There’s a similar mix of explosiveness and endurance and the coordination from a fencing blade to a lacrosse stick made the physical transition relatively natural.” 

Having exclusively played mixed lacrosse up until last year, hearing about the England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme made Rob try out the men’s game for the first time.

“It's something that I had increasingly on my mind, as I could see there wasn't a pathway to continue mixed at a high level after university or compete at an international level.

“After my team’s victory over Oxford City at the 2023 National Club Finals, Richard Gartside, who leads on the University Aspire Programme for England Lacrosse, approached me and asked if I would be interested in switching to men's and joining the Programme as he saw potential for me in the men's game. This was the encouragement I needed, and decided to commit to switching to men's and working hard to see what level I could reach.” 

Interestingly, Rob found the transition from mixed lacrosse to men’s lacrosse just as big of a challenge as switching from fencing to lacrosse but that hasn’t stopped him committing fully to the game.

“I have really enjoyed the challenge of learning very different techniques and adjusting my muscle memory to suit men's rules. 

“Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the first two University Aspire training sessions as I was spending six months cycling across Africa. Naturally, I was quite nervous joining later on and sticking out like a sore thumb but I really enjoyed the training sessions and quickly felt part of the team ahead of the Lisboa tour.

“The intensity of the sessions and the collective desire to improve and push each other was a really exciting thing to be a part of. “

To end the inaugural year of the England Lacrosse University Programme, the 2023/24 cohort entered the Lisboa Cup in Lisbon, Portugal where they finished fourth. Rob thinks playing in a high-level competition like that was an incredible experience.

“The Lisboa Cup itself was a really great experience. While initally I felt very much in at the deep end, having the backing of the coaches that I deserved to be there gave me the confidence to really get involved and work hard on the pitch. Playing against international teams and clubs at that level was an awesome opportunity, and scoring against Italy Heritage was a particular highlight.

“Coming away from the Lisboa Cup I've been so motivated to improve my game and keep working towards higher levels. I have a long way to go but the University Aspire Programme and the support of the coaches has genuinely inspired me to keep working hard and have the belief that I have the potential to keep reaching higher levels in the game.”

Rob’s message for university students thinking about applying for the 2024/25 Programme is simple:

“If you believe that you have the potential and mentality to compete at an international level one day, even if you are far from being the finished product, then the University Aspire Programme is for you!”

The England Lacrosse University Aspire Programme aims to identify athletes who are not currently a part of any England Lacrosse programmes but have the potential to progress into the England Lacrosse Perform Programme.

To identify possible 2024/25 University Aspire Programme athletes, England Lacrosse is hosting two assessment days: the first at Bath University’s Odd Down Sports Ground on Sunday 27 October and the second at Nottingham Trent University on Sunday 10 November.

Each assessment day will include men’s and women’s sessions lasting approximately two and a half hours each with lacrosse coaching from experienced coaches from within the England Perform Programme.

Assessment Days

Sunday 27 October
Bath, Odd Down Sports Ground
Men's Assessment | 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Women's Assessment | 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Sunday 10 November
Nottingham Trent University
Men's Assessment | 11:00am - 1:30pm

2025 Home Internationals dates and venue announced

The 2025 Home Internationals Series will take place at the Sport Scotland National Training Centre, Largs from 4-6 April, Lacrosse Scotland has announced.

The annual competition that is now over 100 years old will once again see teams from England, Scotland, and Wales compete against each other to be named the best in Great Britain.

Sport Scotland’s National Training Centre in Largs, Inverclyde, on the west coast of Scotland, around an hour’s drive from Glasgow, will host the 2025 competition and boasts a wealth of state-of-the-art facilities.

It is the UK’s first inclusive residential sports facility and caters for both elite athletes and the local community in a range of sports and activities.

After the 2024 event in Cardiff, Wales, England hold all the Home Internationals Series titles, including senior women’s, senior men’s, U20 women’s, and U20 men’s.

More details about the 2025 Home Internationals Series will be announced by Lacrosse Scotland over the coming months.

Valiant England suffer bronze medal match defeat to Haudenosaunee to finish fourth

A valiant performance in the bronze medal match saw England finish fourth at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships despite a 14-5 defeat to Haudenosaunee on Saturday.

Corey Small scored two while Ben Buchanan, Tom Roper, and Jack Royer all scored one as England finished fourth for the second consecutive World Championships.

After five games that had yielded one win (13-8 against Czechia), England started the bronze medal match with intent and, despite an early Haudenosaunee goal after 25 seconds, managed to keep their opponents relatively quiet throughout the first quarter, having seven shots on goal in the process.

Two more goals for Haudenosaunee late in the first quarter from Thomas Hoggarth and Larson Sundown saw England go in at the break looking to overturn a three-goal deficit.

And England came out fighting with goals from Buchanan and Small putting their team within one goal of the men in purple.

A world-class defensive performance from England kept Haudenosaunee to just one goal during the whole second quarter through Travis Longboat, seeing the score at 4-2 going into half-time.

So many games of box lacrosse are won and lost in the third quarter and this 15 period proved tricky for an England side with a never-say-die attitude.

Lyle Thompson and Tehoka Nanticoke showed their quality to put Haudenosaunee 6-2 up after 34 minutes before Small added his second of the game to pull England within three.

Four more goals for Haudenosaunee before the third quarter break courtesy of Hoggarth, Randy Staats, Sundown, and Nanticoke saw the opposition take a seven goal lead into the final 15 minutes.

England weren’t done yet, however, and Royer hit a fourth for his team 50 seconds after the restart to give England some hope of chasing down their opponents.

Haudenosaunee, who had never finished lower than second in this competition, finished with a flourish, scoring four through Longboat, Thompson (2), and Trey Deere to effectively seal the victory for their side.

England did have the last laugh though as Roper scored a fifth with just over three minutes to go but it wasn’t to be on the day and England had to settle for fourth.

England 5-14 Haudenosaunee (0-3, 2-1, 1-6, 2-4)

England scorers: Corey Small (2G, 1A), Jack Royer (1G, 1A), Ben Buchanan (1G), Tom Roper (1G), Lyndon Bunio (1A), Elliot Leonard (1A), Cam MacLeod (1A), Matt Marsh (1A)

England secure fifth spot at inaugural World Lacrosse Box Championships

England secured an historic fifth spot with a 14-13 victory over Germany at the inaugural 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, New York, USA on Saturday.

Five goals from the ever-dependable Alex Drewe, who finished the tournament as the fifth highest points scorer, as well as an incredible winner two minutes from time from Rosie Bathurst saw England over the line in the fifth-place game.

England couldn’t have asked for a better start as they stormed into a four-goal lead after just two and a half minutes thanks to goals from Lucy Ford, Katie Greenwood, and Alex Drewe (2).

Germany were not to be underestimated, however, and stunned England with five goals in reply from Lisa Neubert, Theresa Geissinger (2), Toni Garbe, and Kim Dressendörfer to see them take a 5-4 lead.

Iandra Lamplugh, one of England’s stand-out performers throughout the competition, halted Germany’s goal rush with a fifth for England but it was the team from mainland Europe who would go in at quarter-time with the lead after two quick-fire goals from Laura Delker and Sinem Ünlü put them 7-5 up.

England started the second quarter quickly with Leah Catton adding her name to the scoresheet after two minutes and, despite an eighth Germany goal through Tessa Helf, England were able to levell up the game with goals from Ellie Racle and Laura Wright.

With five and a half minutes until half-time, Germany pulled themselves back in front at 9-8 through Garbe, which is how it remained until the break.

After a quiet opening 12 minutes of the third quarter that yielded no goals, Helf made England’s job all the more difficult with a 10th and 11th goal for Germany either side of an England goal from Racle before Garbe added a 12th as the third quarter came to an end.

England had it all to do heading into the final 15 minutes three goals down at 12-9 but an exceptional four-goal run that saw strikes from Laura Beaman and three from Drewe helped them into 13-12 lead with five minutes to go.

Five minutes is a long time to hold onto a lead in box lacrosse and Helf levelled up for Germany with her fourth of the game with three and a half to go.

With the game seemingly on a trajectory towards sudden-death over-time, up stepped Bathurst with just over two minutes left to fire a 14th in for England who were able to to defend the lead and take the victory to become the fifth best side in the world and highest ranked European team at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships.

England 14-13 Germany (5-6, 3-3, 1-3, 5-1)

England scorers: Alex Drewe (5G, 2A), Laura Beaman (1G, 4A), Iandra Lamplugh (1G, 3A), Lucy Ford (1G, 2A), Ellie Racle (2G), Rosie Bathurst (1G, 1A), Leah Catton (1G, 1A), Katie Greenwood (1G, 1A), Laura Wright (1G), Annabelle Akintoye (1A), Lexi Reynard (1A).

England taken to Church in World Championship semi-final defeat

Robert Church scored five for Canada despite a positive performance from England in a 20-3 semi-final defeat at the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships on Friday.

Jack Royer continued his excellent goal-scoring record during the competition with two more goals, taking his total tally to nine.

Albert Whitehead scored a fortunate third for England in the fourth quarter as his team look to regroup ahead of the bronze medal game against Haudenosaunee on Sunday morning.

Having reached a second successive World Lacrosse Box Championships semi-final, it was always going to be a tough ask for England to come close to a side who have never lost a match in this competition in 21 years.

England started positively, however, and managed to keep a free-scoring Canada to five goals in the first quarter.

Another two goals from Canada were followed quickly in the second quarter before Royer fired in for England’s first of the game.

England had their most successful period in the game at this point with Royer netting a second for his team on a power play to put the scores at 8-2.

Canada’s response to England’s two goals was to amp up their performance and so they went on an 11-goal scoring run over the second, third, and fourth quarters to effectively seal the victory.

Whitehead claimed a third for England with less than eight minutes to go after his shot ricocheted off the Canada goalie and into the back of the net but Church had the last laugh as he netted his fifth and Canada’s 20th with six minutes to play.

Canada will take on USA for another chance to be crowned world champions on Sunday while England take on Haudenosaunee in the bronze medal game at 00:15am on Sunday morning.

England 3-20 Canada (5-0, 5-2, 7-0, 3-1)

England scorers: Jack Royer (2G), Albert Whitehead (1G), Ollie Allsop (1A), Dan Watson (1A).