Last week marked the official launch of Richmond Lacrosse Club, a brand new junior lacrosse club which aims to “introduce one of the fastest growing team sports in the country to youngsters based in West London.”
Based at Old Deer Park in Richmond and nicknamed "The Stags”, the new club’s under-10 programme for boys and girls hopes to begin on Sunday mornings in late April 2021 with additional age groups launching in September 2021.
The club is the brain-child of co-founders and experienced lacrosse players, Tom Roche and Rob Arnott, who hope the new club will open children’s eyes in the local area to the joys of lacrosse.
Tom, who is an England Field and Box international as well as Head of Lacrosse at Richmond, grew up playing lacrosse in his home town of Mellor, Greater Manchester.
The game has taken him all over the world, representing England at international-level in countries such as the USA, Czech Republic, Canada, and Finland.
Outside of playing, Tom is an experienced coach with experience working with children and adults of varying abilities, from those who are complete beginners to those at the very top of the domestic game.
As Head of Lacrosse with Richmond, Tom wants to build a lacrosse product for parents which can engage their children with lacrosse, through local competition and access to coaches at the very top of the game. As Richmond and its surrounding teams grow, it's Tom's mission to deliver the same great experiences in lacrosse which he remembers growing up.
Tom’s co-founder, Rob, on the other hand, was first introduced to lacrosse while studying at Durham University.
Having played almost every sport on offer while growing up, lacrosse was new and exciting and he quickly threw himself into learning the basic skills. But it was really the speed of the game and team camaraderie which embedded lacrosse within him and cemented a long-term love for the sport.
Since his university days, Rob has gone on to play Premier Division lacrosse, has represented the South of England, and in 2013 won the European Club Cup with his club team, Spencer.
As Head of Operations at Richmond, Rob wants to channel his passion and energy into introducing lacrosse to the next generation. Having only picked up the sport at 19, he wants to make sure that today's youngsters have the opportunity to try the sport from a young age.
The pair, along with their head coach, Steph Gibson, and coach, Sam Perry, can’t wait to get started and they hope Richmond will be able to emulate some of the great work done by lacrosse clubs in the north of England through their junior programmes.
When the sessions launch at the end of April, all equipment will be provided and no previous playing experience will be necessary. There will be non-contact sessions which will focus on getting kids active and having fun while learning some basic lacrosse skills like catching, throwing, and scooping.
If you want to know more about Richmond Lacrosse Club, you can visit their website below where you can also sign up to their newsletter to ensure you’re the first to find out about all their latest news, information, and updates.