Most people know the National Schools Lacrosse Championships for the players, the coaches, and, of course, the fantastic weather but what they probably don’t know is the band of dedicated volunteers behind the scenes who allow the competition to run without a hitch year on year.
One of the leaders of this dedicated band is Clare Stoot who has been helping to run National Schools since 2012, with many years of general volunteering at the event before that.
Her role involves checking everything over, reading through every last document involved in the competition, and acting as a mentor to our England Lacrosse Lead for Competitions, Helen Amos, giving her invaluable insight into how National Schools is run.
Having been involved in the sport since she was 11-years-old, Clare’s association with lacrosse spans several decades and many of the people she volunteers with at National Schools she has known and been friends with since her school days.
Spending time with her lacrosse friends is one of the most important aspects of the event for Clare; some of the people she went to school with and played lacrosse with over the years have become close friends and National Schools wouldn’t be the same without them.
Clare sees these friendships and the relationship she has with England Lacrosse staff, and many of the teachers at the schools who attend the Championships as epitomising what lacrosse is all about: it’s a family.
After finishing her playing career, Clare spent time teaching, coaching, and volunteering locally, something she’s continued to do for the past 30 years with additional volunteering opportunities arriving on the national and international scene.
Clare was heavily involved in the organising of the World Lacrosse Women’s World Championship that was held at Surrey Sports Park in 2017 with her hard work and dedication helping England to a first third-placed finish since 2005.
After such an incredible run as a volunteer, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Clare might be ready to wind down and think about hanging up her walking boots for good, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
As well as continuing to volunteer at all the regular lacrosse events throughout the year, Clare’s next focus is the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA, where she’s determined to attend in a voluntary capacity and experience lacrosse at the Olympics for the first time in 80 years.
It’s safe to say National Schools wouldn’t be the same without Clare Stoot and her team of helpers. England Lacrosse really is lucky to have such a dedicated and lovely friend to help us every year at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships!