England Lacrosse is pleased to announce the agreement of a partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU) to utilise shared services across their Sport and Physical Activity Departments.
Our first major collaboration will see BCU commissioned to complete a National Injury Reporting study for the sport.
The main objectives of the study are to accurately report injuries in the game and to highlight any patterns or trends over time, which may allow the targeted investigation of specific areas of injury risk and the development of evidence-based strategies to reduce injury risk in lacrosse.
This will provide England Lacrosse with increased data and information that can be used to continue to improve the safety of our sport.
In addition to the injury study, England Lacrosse will be exploring further opportunities in utilising the high-level facilities and knowledge available at BCU, while also providing other research and placement opportunities to students and staff at BCU with England Lacrosse.
Mark Jeffreys, Director of Sport and Physical Activity at BCU, has been a member of our Talent & Performance Group since 2017, providing independent expertise and knowledge to our national programmes, and this partnership will strengthen the connection with Mark and BCU.
Dr Peter Thain, Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy, and Dr Adam Herbert, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science, will head up the national injury study from within BCU.
Peter is a practicing sports therapist and physiotherapist, with significant experience in football and basketball - currently working as a clinician with Basketball England - and was lead therapist supporting the Men’s Basketball Team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Adam has worked as Head of Academy Sport Science and Medicine at Port Vale Football Club, and as part of his academic research, has worked with numerous athletes and organisations resulting in the publication and presentation of high-quality research in internationally renowned journals and at international conferences.
The results of the national study will subsequently be passed on to World Lacrosse to assist the international game in their research into injury reporting and reduction.
Mark Coups, England Lacrosse CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to agree this partnership with Birmingham City University.
“This will provide England Lacrosse with access to significant expertise not only as part of the injury reporting study, but also across the wider sporting landscape that will prove invaluable to the organisation.”
Further details will be released regarding the national reporting study in the near future.