Sheffield University Lacrosse Club is gearing up to celebrate 100 years since the formation of its women’s team, a team that is still going strong today.
Lacrosse is one of 58 sports clubs at the university and it was founded just 15 years after the institution was granted royal charter in 1905.
Formed in time to participate in the 1920/21 season, they lost 23-0 to the Nottingham Ladies Lacrosse Team in their first match.
It wasn’t until a year later in 1921 that a Sheffield University men’s lacrosse team was formed and a lot has happened since then!
The club now has seven teams, including four British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) teams, a women’s and a men’s development team, as well as a mixed team.
It is believed the club may have stopped operating for a period because of World War II and Sheffield University Lacrosse Club Women’s Secretary, Isabella Harkin, says they only recently found out about the centenary.
“We weren't aware of how old the club actually is! This may have been due to its hiatus during and after WWII, meaning we don't have much information on what the club was like before.
“Now knowing we are about to reach this milestone, it feels amazing to be part of a club with such a rich history and it’s so nice to look back at photos of past teams and read some of their accounts of their time in Sheffield.
“It also feels great to be able to mark the centenary of the women's side in the confidence that we have managed to become a much more established side of the club, with two BUCS teams and a growing development squad”.
Before the coronavirus pandemic forced the whole of the UK into lockdown, the club were hoping to mark the centenary with a big charity tournament, involving both current and alumni players.
It is hoped the tournament will still go ahead either later in the year or at some point next year but, despite this, Isabella says they are “still looking forward to growing the Sheffield Lacrosse family in the coming season and we hope we can host a few friendly games before formal BUCS matches start up in the new year”.
When asked why she thought lacrosse had been so popular at Sheffield University for such a long time and why it was important to keep the sport going and thriving in the Steel City, Isabella remarked:
“It's so important for the club to continue to grow so we can increase the sport’s popularity and the awareness of the sport in wider communities, where it isn't necessarily well known.
“We already try to do this through our amazing volunteering programme for school-aged children in the Sheffield area.
“Also, joining the lacrosse club at Sheffield is such a great opportunity to meet new people; we’re now a club of 130 members, with four BUCS teams, two development squads and a mixed session.
“Everyone is welcome, from current players to those who haven't picked up a stick before- you won't be alone!”
To keep up to date with the centenary celebrations and all the latest news from Sheffield University Lacrosse Club, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and their website.