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