England Lacrosse is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of life-long lacrosse player, volunteer, and supporter Peter Nugent at the age of 86.

Peter joined the lacrosse family in the 1960s when he joined Rochdale Lacrosse Club, following in his father, Kevin’s, footsteps.

For a short period in the 1970s, he played for Boardman & Eccles before heading back to Rochdale where he continued to play and was a central member of the club until his 70s.

Upon hanging up boots in the late 2000s, he was a regular on the sidelines at Redbrook most Saturday afternoons supporting his sons, nephew, and friends playing in all the Rochdale teams.

His love for the sport was infectious; as a player he was a long stick (defence) and took pride in his never say die competitive streak. He could encourage loudly and often did so. Peter reflected the only job he was terrible at in lacrosse was as a referee. He left that to his brother.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Peter played for England Masters and Grand Masters travelling across the globe from Perth (Australia) to Prague and taking in Baltimore, Vail and of course taking in home grown tournaments in Manchester along the way.

Off the pitch, he and his wife Jill welcomed colleagues from the US, Canada, and Australia into his home with legendary hospitality. From visiting coaches and players for a couple nights to season-long stays for a series of young Americans promoting the sport across schools in Rochdale and Manchester.

In 2010, he played a key role in the hugely successful festival of lacrosse which ran alongside that year’s Men’s World Championship in Manchester.

His love for the sport was to see others play, to bring on the next generation as a coach or volunteer and to share the joy of the fastest game on two legs. He’d be beyond proud to know that his grandson is about to play his first game for Rochdale juniors.

He will be remembered with affection by all those in the lacrosse world who knew him.

Peter’s funeral will take place at Blackley Crematorium at 9:30am on Wednesday 1 May 2024 and his family are asking people who feel inclined to do so to share a donation to the Peter Nugent Celebration Fund.