England Lacrosse is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former President of the English Lacrosse Union, President of the European Lacrosse Federation, and Centurion Lacrosse Club Secretary Peter Mundy at the age of 95.
Born on 14 May 1929, Peter’s playing career started in 1949 at Purley Lacrosse Club at the age of 20 where he stayed until 1964 when he left to revive the old Croydon Lacrosse Club.
During this time, he became involved in the administration of the game, first as Schools and Juniors Secretary where, among other successes, he started lacrosse in three Croydon Grammar Schools. Later on, he managed the first travelling American coach in the south of England, an idea which eventually became the Lacrosse Development Officer (LDO) scheme.
Between 1974 and 1976, Peter was President of the South of England Men’s Lacrosse Association (SEMLA), where he successfully trialled the 10-a-side game with boundaries which became the accepted format of the game.
Peter’s unquenchable love of the game and belief that it should be played more widely led him to look for and take opportunities overseas, which included introducing the game to universities in Germany before eventually breaching the ‘Iron Curtain’ in 1988 when he took the game to what was then Czechoslovakia before moving on to Hungary, Bulgaria, and many other countries.
Peter held the role of President of the English Lacrosse Union (now England Lacrosse) from 1991 to 1993 and became President of the European lacrosse Federation (ELF) in 1995 where he remained for 17 years until 2012.
During this time he oversaw many changes to the organisation and undoubtedly helped to grow the sport right across the continent leading to many people dubbing him ‘Mr Lacrosse’.
For many years, Peter was Secretary of the Centurion Lacrosse Club, a club that was formed to promote and develop the game.
Because of the foundations Peter put in place while in this role, Centurions have been able to play a huge part in the popularity of lacrosse in universities over the past 20 years.
Peter remained active in the game until 2022, supporting his beloved Croydon Club and attending almost every SEMLA Committee meeting where he was always available to imbibe his almost 75 years of experience and knowledge.
Quietly spoken but hugely driven, this gentleman of the sport influenced the growth of the sport in England, Europe, and the world and was a unique and devoted servant to our sport whose impact will last forever.
England Lacrosse CEO, Mark Coups, said:
“Peter was a titan of lacrosse and I, along with everyone at England Lacrosse, am extremely saddened to hear of his passing.
“Through his work as President of the English Lacrosse Union and the European Lacrosse Federation, there simply isn’t an area of lacrosse in England, Europe, and the world that Peter didn’t impact or affect positively in some way over the past 75 years.
“His knowledge and expertise of all aspects of the game were unmatched and he leaves behind a legacy that will live on through those he mentored and coached.”
England Lacrosse sends our condolences to Peter’s family and friends at this time.
Details of Peter’s funeral arrangements will be published in due course.