Phot Credit | Thomas Wesley
Chris Russell has been appointed as the British Lacrosse Olympic Performance Lead as lacrosse continues to prepare for its return to the Olympic Games in 2028.
Since 2024, Russell has been an Independent Non-Executive Director on the British Lacrosse Board as well as Performance Director and he brings a wealth of experience from the world of high-performance sport with over 30 years dedicated to the sport of sailing.
From being an athlete to working in the development of the sport, and from being an Olympic team coach to working within the management structures, Russell has overseen the execution of high-performance strategies for Olympic programmes, most recently at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Russell also brings a strong background in leadership, athlete and partnership management, strategic planning, and advertising, having served on a number of Board structures over the years and running a non-profit foundation designed to support world-class athletes from a variety of sports in realising their potential.
As British Lacrosse’s Olympic Performance Lead, Russell will play a pivotal role in realising the organisation’s medal-winning targets over the coming years, including at The World Games, European and World Championships, and, of course, the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
He will work with the British Lacrosse Board and other stakeholders to shape British Lacrosse’s men’s and women’s national teams’ performance as they seek Olympic qualification to and success at the Olympics in three years’ time.
British Lacrosse is at the forefront of the opportunities being presented as a new Olympic sport, and lacrosse more broadly has a proud track record of international success that Russell will seek to continue into the future.
Upon being appointed, Russell said:
"I feel privileged and excited to have been given this opportunity as Performance Lead, and I'm looking forward to continuing to build on the high-performance culture at British Lacrosse. The past six months, in my interim role, have been some of the most rewarding of my career.
"With lacrosse returning to the Olympic family in LA, it represents an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved in the game. I feel fortunate to be able to support our group of incredibly talented athletes in realising their potential, and working alongside our dedicated group of staff who have long been the lifeforce of British Lacrosse."
British Lacrosse Chief Operating Officer and England Lacrosse CEO, Mark Coups, said:
“We’re delighted that such an experienced individual as Chris has been appointed to take British Lacrosse and the sport forward over the next three years.
“It can’t be understated what an incredible opportunity it is to have lacrosse in the Olympic Games in 2028 and we at England Lacrosse look forward to continuing to work with Chris over the next few years.”