Stephen at the 2017 Women’s World Championship in England, in his role as Chair of Women’s Officiating for FIL (now World Lacrosse)
England Lacrosse is saddened to learn of the recent passing of Stephen Taylor, one of the most integral figures in the world of officiating for more than 30 years.
Stephen devoted much of his time to advancing the sport in England, where he led the Umpiring Committee for 10 years while officiating in our leagues and domestic competitions.
He officiated at five World Lacrosse Women’s Championships, including the 2009 gold medal game, and was a technical delegate, coaching and mentoring officials, at two World Championships while appearing as a chief official at three.
After beginning his international officiating career at the inaugural IFWLA U19 World Championship in 1995, Stephen gained full international accreditation during the 1996 Home Internationals Series in Cardiff.
Off the field, Stephen was the Chair of Rules and Umpiring for England from 1997 to 2007 and European Lacrosse Federation Women’s Umpiring Chair from 2003 to 2007.
Following these roles, he moved to his adopted homeland of Ontario, Canada, where he continued his officiating career in various roles, including director of technical programmes and Ontario Women’s Field Lacrosse commissioner.
Stephen also served six years on the World Lacrosse Rules Committee before becoming the Chair of Women’s Officiating from 2015 to 2019.
Having umpired over 100 international matches at junior, U21, and senior levels and featured in nine world events in various capacities during his more than 30-year career, Stephen’s impact on the game will continue to be felt over the months and years to come.
England Lacrosse Officiating Lead Wendy Reynolds described the impact Stephen had on her career:
“Once I had retired from international duty in 2001, Steve – already an international umpire by now - asked me whether I would be interested in umpiring at an international level and so I achieved my international officiating award that Easter in Australia, and the rest they say is history.
It is thanks to Steve that I remained in the game and have been involved in officiating at the highest level since 2001.”
A funeral service will be held at St. Bride’s Anglican Church, 1516 Clarkson Rd N., Mississauga, on Saturday, February 8, at 1 p.m. ET. The service will be streamed live here.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Brain Tumour Foundation or to the Stephen Taylor Scholarship (Laxrules@hotmail.com).
We would like to send our sincere condolences to Stephen’s friends and family at this time.