British Lacrosse announce Hong Kong Super Sixes squads

British Lacrosse has named their men’s and women’s squads to compete at the World Lacrosse Super Sixes in Hong Kong, China at the end of the year.

The first squads to be revealed since it was announced that Sixes Lacrosse will feature at the LA28 Olympic Games, both 12-player British Lacrosse teams feature a host of experienced players as well as several up and coming young athletes.

World Lacrosse describes the Hong Kong Super Sixes as the “highest-level world lacrosse sixes format tournament on an international level”, featuring up to 16 teams (eight men's and eight women's) competing in a three-day competition.

The Hong Kong Super Sixes will showcase the Sixes Lacrosse format of the game that features six players on each team, a smaller pitch, fewer pitch markings, and a 30-second shot clock.

Leslie Rance, Chair of British Lacrosse said:

“Firstly, on behalf of the Board, our thanks to all the athletes who participated in the selection process, and congratulations to those chosen to represent British Lacrosse at the Super Sixes Tournament in Hong Kong.

“We are immensely proud of our athletes and wish them the best. With the recent IOC announcement welcoming lacrosse to participate at LA28, our attention is now firmly on qualifying for that tournament.

“International competitions and tournament experience will be a critical part of our preparation and qualification journey. Hong Kong now serves as the first of many stepping stones for our teams with clear Olympic aspirations”

Taking place from 29-31 December in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, the competition marks the start of British Lacrosse’s journey ahead of the Olympic Games in LA in five year’s time.

For more information about British Lacrosse, click HERE.

Men’s Squad

William Baxter
Lyndon Bunio
Hal Dwobeng
Tommy Kirkland
Luke Mills-Doig
Ben Page-Laycock
Hugo Peel
Jamie Powell
Will Prescott
Tomos Rosser
Alex Russell
Will Shirt

Women’s Squad

Emilie Chandler
Zoe Dickson
Chess Gray
Emily Gray
Cece Green
Minty Loxton-Barnard
Emma Oakley
Sienna Parekh
Alice Ripper
Lottie Robertson
Emma Savage
Georgie Southorn

Lacrosse to return to the Olympics at LA 2028

A decades-long vision to return lacrosse to the Olympic stage has today been realised, with the International Olympic Committee approving lacrosse’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The approving vote today by the IOC Session – which includes 99 international sport leaders – was the last step of a formal process initiated by the LA28 Organising Committee last year to add new sports to the Games in Los Angeles.

LA28 will mark the third Olympic appearance for the sport that is now played in nearly 100 countries around the world, after it was contested in 1904 (St. Louis) and 1908 (London).

Lacrosse was later featured as a demonstration sport in three Olympics: Amsterdam 1928, Los Angeles 1932 and London 1948.

In 2028, men’s and women’s lacrosse will be competed in Sixes, an incredibly fast-paced, compact version of the sport at the intersection of field and box lacrosse.

It offers an inclusionary opportunity to all lacrosse athletes and an easier entry point for new players, and is characterised by an accelerated, open style of play with quick transitions and non-stop, high-scoring action.

Developed in 2018, sixes has advanced global growth, increased accessibility and approachability, created greater competitive balance, and reduced cost and complexity of participation and event staging. It is the next generation version of the game.

Mark Coups, England Lacrosse Chief Executive, said: “Today represents the culmination of years of effort and dedication from the global community to put lacrosse back on the biggest stage in the world.

The inclusion of lacrosse in the Olympic Games is a true landmark moment in the modern growth of lacrosse and begins the next chapter of our sport.

This represents an unparalleled opportunity to put the sport in front of new audiences and new players, giving people the opportunity to be inspired by the stories within our sport and fall in love with lacrosse, as we all have.

Now is our time to shine and I am sure that our lacrosse community is as excited as I am for what is to come.

World Lacrosse President Sue Redfern said: “There is no greater designation than to be recognised as an Olympic sport. The global lacrosse family has been passionately working toward reaching this pinnacle for more than a decade.

“This seminal achievement would not have been possible without the effort of many visionary and dedicated individuals who collectively recognised that Olympic inclusion is the most significant catalyst for the continued growth of a sport.

“I offer our sincere gratitude to LA28 and the IOC for allowing us to realise our vision; now is our time to shine and show the world how lacrosse contributes to a better tomorrow.”

Could lacrosse become an Olympic sport?

Lacrosse is one of five additional sports being proposed for inclusion at the LA 2028 Olympic Games with the final decision to be announced on Monday at the 141st IOC session in Mumbai, India.

Having been included as a contested sport at the 1904 and 1908 Olympic Games and appearing as a demonstration event at the 1928, 1932, and 1948 Games, Lacrosse has a long association with the Olympic Games that stretches back over 100 years.

It hopes to make its return in 2028 with a new format of the game: Sixes Lacrosse.

What is Sixes Lacrosse?

Sixes Lacrosse is a small-sided version of lacrosse that sees traditional teams of 10 reduced to six and a traditional 100m field reduced to 60m.

There are fewer pitch markings and the rules for the contact men’s and non-contact women’s formats have been evened out a little bit so they’re more similar.

A shot-clock has been introduced, like that used in basketball, allowing attacking teams just 30 seconds to take a shot on the opposition goal and instead of four 15-minute quarters, there are four eight-minute quarters.

All of this has the intention of keeping the game fast paced and flowing.

This Sixes version of lacrosse really strips the game bare meaning it is more accessible to new-comers and, with the reduction in the number of players needed in a team, allows smaller communities to get involved in the sport.

Lacrosse: The Global Picture

Lacrosse is only played at a top, professional level in the US and Canada with the creators of the game, the indigenous peoples of North America, competing as a separate nation in international competition but there are several teams vastly improving their standard and aiming to reach those heights.

Teams such as England, Japan, Australia as well as a few of the other European nations have pushed the traditional big players in recent years with England claiming a second consecutive bronze medal at the women’s world championship in 2022 and Japan finishing fifth for the first time at the most recent men’s world championship earlier this year.

In fact, World Lacrosse, the world governing body for lacrosse, now has 86 member countries, including 10 in Africa and 13 in Asia cementing its position as a fast growing and global sport.

Sixes Lacrosse is a great way for World Lacrosse to broadcast the sport to a wider as it lends itself nicely to a television audience. The shortened version of the game means there’s less of a commitment from the viewer and, a shot-clock ensures there are plenty of goals and lots of play which keeps the game exciting.

With the likes of Rugby Sevens at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and Futsal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games proving that these smaller, slightly different versions of sports can captivate an audience at international tournaments and inspire the next generation of players to try the sport, Sixes Lacrosse is hoping to add its name to the list of Olympic team sports in 2028.

BUCS Match of the Week | University of Nottingham v Loughborough University

BUCS Match of the Week is back for the 2023/24 season with our first fixture taking us to the Women’s Premier North 1 league as the University of Nottingham take on Loughborough University.

Nottingham come into this fixture off the back of a huge away day win in the Nottingham derby last week where they beat Nottingham Trent University 11-3.

Loughborough also claimed victory in their opening away game of the season as they defeated Birmingham 11-9.

Nottingham currently sit second in the table after that opening day win with Loughborough right on their tail in third.

Last season’s BUCS Women’s Premier North 1 and BUCS National Championship champions, Nottingham will be looking to assert their dominance early this season with a statement win over Loughborough who themselves will be hoping to improve upon last season’s sixth place finish.

Ones to Watch

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham boasts an array of international talent including goalkeeper, Sienna Parekh, who takes on the permanent goalie role this season after Dylan Whittington’s graduation last year.

Parekh has turned a few heads after outstanding performances for Swift at The Fly 2023 and at the 2023 ELF Women’s U21 Championship in Prague, Czechia, where she helped England to become European champions.

Another player who helped England to U21 Euros glory is attacker, Charlie Bell, who takes up the role of Club Captain at Nottingham this year.

Bell learned her trade at Withington Girls’ School in Manchester before entering the England Lacrosse Talent Pathway where she has impressed over the past couple of years; she was also part of the Hustle team at The Fly 2023.

As well as younger players like Parekh and Bell, Nottingham have some experienced heads in their midst including returning fourth year students Emma Savage and Juliet Banks.

England international, Savage, has just returned from a hugely successful tour of North Carolina with England as they began their preparations ahead of the 2023 ELF Women’s Championship in Portugal next year.

She has been a stalwart at The Fly, representing Rise in 2022 and 2023, where she has scored 28 goals in just nine games and earned herself a spot in the 2023 All-Star Team.

Another player who has been in and around the England women’s team for the past few years is defender, Juliet Banks.

Having represented the England B team at the 2022 Home Internationals Series in Edinburgh, Scotland, Banks is back in the Nottingham ranks after deciding to continue her medical degree at the university.

Loughborough

After victory on the opening day, Loughborough will be looking to back that up with what would be an impressive win over Nottingham.

They’ll be helped along by several of their experienced players including captains and international players Hannah Khalique and Chloe Ferguson.

Khalique has been playing lacrosse to a high standard for a number of years, including while studying at Queen Anne’s School while Ferguson’s skills were honed at Bolton School before moving into the England Lacrosse Talent Pathway where she played for England under-21s at the 2022 Home Internationals Series.

For Loughborough, it’s not all about experience though as they’ve recruited some exciting up and coming talent ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Having come through the ranks at Benenden School, Isla Forbes is now continuing her lacrosse journey with Loughborough and adds an incredible burst of speed to the team.

Another new-comer, Annabel Noble joins the team after captaining the Moreton Hall first team while at school and being a part of both the England Lacrosse Talent Pathway and the Wales under-21 team.

An accomplished player despite her young age, Noble opened her goal-scoring account in last week’s opening game of the season where she fired home a hat-trick and Loughborough will be hoping she’s on form in Nottingham on Wednesday.

Fact Files

Nottingham

Team Captains | Alex Cant & Kate O’Dwyer
Coaching Staff | Mike Armstrong (Head Coach)
2022/23 League Position | 1st

Loughborough

Team Captains | Hannah Khalique & Chloe Ferguson
Coaching Staff | Heather Macrae (Team Coach)
2022/23 League Position | 6th

2022/23 Meetings | Loughborough 5-20 Nottingham, Nottingham 22-3 Loughborough

Lacrosse proposed as new sport for 2028 Olympics, pending approval

World Lacrosse has released the following statement after LA28 announced that lacrosse is among the new sports it is proposing to the IOC, for approval during the upcoming IOC Session in Mumbai, India. 

"We are absolutely thrilled and honored by LA28’s decision to propose lacrosse for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games. We are one huge step closer to a monumental milestone for our sport and international community. 

Lacrosse is globally played, accessible and equitable, with a unique origin and modern, youthful relevancy. We are on a path of ascendency, and will be a great partner for LA28 and the IOC. 

Reaching this stage in the process is a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators and lacrosse enthusiasts worldwide, who have tirelessly championed our sport. We eagerly await the IOC’s final decision, and look forward to the possibility of lacrosse being showcased on the world's biggest sporting stage, inspiring generations to come." 

Player draft opens for 2023 Winter Box League

Southern Box Lacrosse has opened the player draft ahead of the 2023 Winter Box League taking place across four competition days in December and January.

Prospective men’s and women’s players have until 9pm on Sunday 12 November to register for the draft by completing the registration form and paying the £90 entry fee on the Southern Box Lacrosse website; the entry fee covers the match fees for the four-game season.

The minimum age for the men’s competition is 18 while the minimum age for the women’s tournament is 16 and all players must hold a valid England Lacrosse membership and not be serving any domestic competition suspension over the period of the Winter Box League season.

Once the registration period closes, the draft will take place during the week commencing Monday 13 November where players will be distributed between the four men’s and two women’s teams.

Reigning champions, London Knights, led by England men’s box lacrosse team captain, Tom Roche, will be looking to continue where they left off at the end of the 2022 Winter Box League season but they face stiff competition from last year’s runners-up, Steelheads, as well as Heaton Hornets and brand new team for 2023, SBL Capitals who replace Thundercats in the four-team format.

For the first time, the SBL Winter Box League is hosting a women’s competition featuring two teams, SBL Ravens and B-Oxford, offering the chance for more women than ever to get involved in box lacrosse ahead of next year’s 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships.

SBL Winter Box League Draft | How does it work?

• Team coaches may draft up to 25 players per team.

• Team coaches may protect up to seven players from their team squad from last season.

• A player may decline protection and enter the draft as a free agent.

• A team coach or team manager who was a player for a different team last season may be one of the seven protected players for the team they are coaching or managing this season.

• In the men’s competition, SBL Capitals replace Thundercats in the draft order and can protect Thundercats players from last season.

• The men’s competition draft will use a sequential draft with the pick order as per last year’s results (Hornets 1st, 5th, 9th picks. Capitals 2nd, 6th, etc. Steelheads the 3rd, 7th, etc. Knights the 4th, 8th, etc.).

• The women’s competition draft will follow an alternate pick with a coin toss deciding which team has the first pick.

• Players not drafted will receive a full entry fee refund.

• The maximum size of a game day squad is 18 runners and up to two goalies.

• Drafted players who are available for a game but not selected in a game day squad will receive a pro-rata refund of £22.50 for that game.

• Drafted players who are not available for a game do not receive a pro-rata refund.

• Drafted players who withdraw from the league do not receive a refund.

• Refunds will be paid after the conclusion of the season (w/c 15th January).

• The SBL exec reserves the right to consider exceptional circumstances to the above rules.

The 2023 Winter Box League takes places at Oxford Academy School, Oxford, on 10 December, 17 December, 7 January, and 14 January with games commencing at 12:30pm, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm.

Stockport secure 2023 Referees' Trophy title

Stockport secured the 2023 Referees’ Trophy after a 16-10 win over Cheadle at Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Club on Sunday.

In the under-15 competition, Lancashire won the battle of the counties as they took home the title by beating Cheshire 12-11 (after overtime) while it was Cheshire who won the under-17 tournament beating Lancashire 12-10.

Unfortunately, the scheduled women’s match was cancelled due to one of the teams being unable to field a team.

The Trophy, which aims to aid the development of referees, raised over £1000, all of which will be fed directly back into the refereeing programme in the north of England.

Any officials in the north who would like to be mentored by some of England’s more experienced referees, should reach out to Peter Davidson (petersdavidson@yahoo.co.uk) who can help arrange this.

England women's box lacrosse team open Intent to Trial form

The brand new England women’s box lacrosse team has opened an Intent to Trial form ahead of two open trial sessions later this month.

Taking place on Saturday 21 October (10am-4pm) and Sunday 22 October (12pm-4pm) at Oxford Academy School, Oxford, the open trial sessions are an opportunity for those players interested in being involved in the England squad to test out their skills.

For anyone wishing to try box lacrosse before the open trials, Southern Box Lacrosse (SBL) will be hosting an open session on Sunday 15 October also at the Oxford Academy School.

The sessions come just under a year before the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, New York, USA, that will see a men’s and women’s competition running side by side for the very first time.

Led by recently announced Head Coach, Rob Clark, alongside Assistant Coach, Scott Joyner, the England women’s box lacrosse team is looking for well-rounded athletes with a range of lacrosse experience.

“Box lacrosse is fast,” Rob Clark said, “fast and furious is probably the easiest way to describe it. It’s full-on physical contact and players need to be fast of mind, fast of hand, and be able to think and play under pressure and relish that environment.”

With the game still in its infancy, the coaching team intends to maintain an open door to new and emerging talent.

All attendees at the open trial sessions will be asked to take a benchmark fitness test and equipment can be provided to those requiring it. 

For more information about the England women’s box lacrosse team schedule in the run up to the World Championships click HERE.

To register your intent to trial, send an email over to boxlacrosseewntmanager@englandlacrosse.co.uk.

Berkhamsted to play Moreton Hall at StoneX Stadium

Berkhamsted host Moreton Hall in a very special double header event at Saracens Rugby Club’s StoneX Stadium today, alongside a Berkhamsted v Denstone College rugby fixture.

Starting at 5pm, the lacrosse fixture between Berkhamsted and Moreton Hall will see two under-18 sides at the top of their game after superb 2022/2023 seasons go head to head.

Both teams have started the 2023/2024 season brightly, with Berkahmsted winning two of their opening three matches and Moreton Hall taking home the annual Welsh Rally title.

This will be the first time the two sides have met in-season outside of the National Schools Lacrosse Championships.

At that competition, Berkhamsted have won five under-18 titles (1994, 1998, 2000, 2016, 2019) while Moreton Hall have failed to win one.

The sides have met four times at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships since 2015 with Berkhamsted winning three and one draw.

However, in 2019, Moreton Hall claimed the under-14 National Schools Lacrosse Championships title with many of that winning side now making up the under-18 team.

The StoneX Stadium, current home ground of Saracens Rugby Club, has a capacity of 10,500 and has previously been home to London Crusaders (now London Broncos) rugby league club as well as non-league football club, Kentish Town.

The rugby fixture between Berkhamsted and Denstone College will start at 6:15pm and both matches are available to watch live on NextGenXV HERE and on the NextGenXV YouTube Channel HERE.

Schedule

17:00 | Berkahmsted v Moreton Hall | Lacrosse
18:15 | Berkhamsted v Denstone College | Rugby Union

BUCS season starts on Wednesday with 19 fixtures across the UK

The British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) lacrosse season starts this week with 19 fixtures taking place at universities all over the UK.

There are local derbies between Nottingham Trent 1 and Nottingham 1 across the men’s and women’s teams in the Midlands with all teams looking to get an early upper-hand in the title races.

Newcastle men’s 1 begin life as a Men’s Premier side at home to Loughborough 1 as they look to start the season with a win and follow up on an impressive pre-season that included a first Border 8s title.

In the Scottish leagues, Edinburgh women’s 3 and 4 take on Aberdeen women’s 1 and St Andrews women’s 1 respectively while there’s a huge match-up in the Men’s Scottish Tier 1 - 1A as St Andrews 1 play Edinburgh 1.

To keep up with everything BUCS lacrosse, click HERE or download the BUCS Play app on your smartphone.

BUCS Opening Day Fixtures

Wednesday 4 October

Women’s Premier (North/South 1) - North

Nottingham Trent women’s 1 v Nottingham women’s 1 | 1pm
Edinburgh women’s 1 v Durham women’s 1 | 3pm
Birmingham women’s 1 v Loughborough women’s 1 | 4pm

Women’s Premier (North/South 1) - South

Cardiff women’s 1 v UCL women’s 1 | 5pm

Women’s Premier (North/South 2) - North

Liverpool women’s 1 v Nottingham women’s 2 | 2pm
Newcastle women’s 1 v Edinburgh women’s 2 | 2pm
Manchester women’s 1 v Durham women’s 2 | 5pm

Women’s Premier (North/South 2) - South

Exeter women’s 2 v Oxford Brookes women’s 1 | 1pm

Men's Premier (North/South) - North

Nottingham Trent men’s 1 v Nottingham men’s 1 | 2:45pm
Newcastle men’s 1 v Loughborough men’s 1 | 4pm

Men’s Premier (North/South) - South

Exeter men’s 1 v Bristol men’s 1 | 1pm
Oxford men’s 1 v Bath men’s 1 | 2pm
Cardiff men’s 1 v Marjon men’s 1 | 3pm

Women’s Scottish Tier 1 - 1A

Edinburgh women’s 3 v Aberdeen women’s 1 | 2pm
Edinburgh women’s 4 v St Andrews women’s 1 | 2:30pm

Women’s Scottish Tier 2 - 2A

Stirling women’s 2 v Aberdeen women’s 2 | 1pm
Dundee women’s 1 v St Andrews women’s 3 | 2:30pm

Men’s Scottish Tier 1 - 1A

St Andrews men’s 1 v Edinburgh men’s 1 | 2pm

Sunday 8 October

Women’s Scottish Tier 1 - 1A
St Andrews women’s 1 v St Andrews women’s 2 | 1:30pm

EL Board statement: Disciplinary process outcomes

This statement from the England Lacrosse Board follows the conclusion of the internal disciplinary process conducted in relation to the expulsion foul issued to Andrew Baxter during the 2023 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship.

In accordance with our Bye Laws, an Independent Panel was appointed by England Lacrosse to review the incident along with EL’s wider disciplinary processes. Following a review of the Panel report by the EL Board, the below recommendations were made:

• The Board endorses the six-game suspension from international competition imposed on the player by World Lacrosse.
  

• To be considered for selection as an international representative player or attend any England training squad in future, the Board requires the player to attend an agreed educational or training programme aimed at addressing the factors that led to the incident, within the next six months.
  

• The player’s future conduct on the field of play needs to be of an exemplary standard. For a period of two years from 30 June 2023 any disciplinary action taken against the player by game officials will be referred automatically to the Board, which may choose to take further steps.
  

• EL to introduce a separate disciplinary process for national representative teams and athletes that clearly sets out the sanctions for infractions while part of international competition, both internationally and domestically.
  

• EL to review the athlete and staff welfare provisions that are in place surrounding such incidents and ensure that everyone involved has the support required to react and respond appropriately.
  

• EL to deliver advanced media training to all performance athletes.

These improvements will help to further reinforce the standards expected of everyone representing their country and take into consideration all parties involved when dealing with future disciplinary matters.

England Lacrosse would like to thank Mr Baxter for attending the panel and thank the panel members for their time. We welcome the recommendations provided and have already started work with our Committee Groups to address the relevant actions.

Finally, we would also like to take this opportunity to promote the Code of Respect for lacrosse. In the heart of lacrosse lies respect – an enduring value that binds us together and propels our sport forward.

Respect is the foundation upon which every interaction is built; uniting players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans in a shared admiration for the game and each other.

England Lacrosse supporting Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week 2023

England Lacrosse is proud to once again be supporting the NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week 2023.

Running from 2 to 6 October 2023, Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport week aims to highlight and support the role parents and carers play in keeping their children safe whilst taking part in sports and activities.

The campaign runs year-round with a focused awareness week taking place in the first week of October, bringing together parents, sports clubs, activity providers, and NSPCC supporters to help parents and carers to keep children safe in sport.

As part of the campaign, parents are asked to think and learn about three key areas of being involved in their child’s sport:

Getting involved

From showing an interest in the rules of the game to post-game support and the occasional bit of cheerleading, we know that children enjoy sport the most when parents are engaged in what they do.

Being supportive

The rises and falls of sport and achievement can be an emotional experience for children and it’s important that the adults around them can support them in a positive way. Negative feedback from adults can take the enjoyment out of sport for children. Equally, positive feedback can help them to celebrate success and stay active and engaged with sport.

Keeping children safe

Understanding the safeguards that should be in place in all sports is vital. All parents and carers should feel empowered with the knowledge of what makes a sport club safe for their child to enjoy, how to spot poor practice or abuse and who to turn to if they do have worries about their child or anyone else in sport.

To celebrate this year’s campaign, the NSPCC CPSU will be launching a brand-new video resource called “My No.1 Fan” which will feature real families, talking about what positive parental behaviour and support means to them and how negative behaviour can impact children’s enjoyment of sport.

As well as this new film, the NSPCC CPSU hosts a wealth of resources and information for parents and carers on their Parents’ Hub, including a free e-learning course on keeping children safer in sport, videos, podcasts, and factsheets.

To find out more about being your child’s biggest supporter and how to get involved with the campaign, visit thecpsu.org.uk/parents.

Stay up to date with what's going on during this week’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport campaign by following them on Twitter @TheCPSU and @NSPCC, and using the hashtag #SafeinSport.

A handy guide to defibrillators and how to access funding

Having access to a working defibrillator (often referred to as an Automated External Defibrillator, AED or Defib) could be key to saving a life in a moment of crisis and, at England Lacrosse, we are aware that many clubs and teams do not currently have access to one.

We’ve put together this handy guide to give clubs and teams the information needed to get a defibrillator installed on their premises.

Choosing the right defibrillator is crucial. Here are 12 important things to consider before having one installed:

1. Purpose & Location

- Determine where the AED will be placed and who the potential users might be.
- Some AEDs are designed specifically for professional use (in medical settings) while others are for public access or home use.

2. Ease of Use

- If the AED is intended for public spaces, it's important to choose a device that's easy to use, even for someone with no medical background.
- Look for clear voice prompts and visual indicators.

3. Pediatric Capability

- If the device may be used in an environment with children (like schools), ensure it has pediatric capabilities or can be used with pediatric pads.

4. Battery Life & Maintenance

- Check the lifespan of the battery and how often it needs to be replaced.
- Some AEDs conduct regular self-checks and indicate when maintenance is needed.

5. Cost

- It's essential to find a device that fits within your budget. Consider not just the initial cost but also the cost of replacement parts and maintenance.

6. CPR Feedback

- Some AEDs offer real-time feedback during CPR, guiding the user on the depth and rate of compressions. This can be beneficial, especially for untrained individuals.

7. Training & Support

- Some manufacturers offer training sessions or resources for new users.
- Consider if there's customer support available and how accessible it is.

8. Manufacturer Reputation

- Look for trusted brands with positive reviews and a good track record in the market.

9. Warranty & Service

- Check the warranty duration and what it covers.
- Some manufacturers offer extended warranties or service plans.

10. IP (Ingress Protection) Rating

- The IP rating indicates how resistant the device is to dust and water. If the AED will be placed outdoors or in a humid environment, a higher IP rating might be necessary.

11. Local Guidelines & Regulations

- In some regions, there might be specific guidelines or approvals needed for certain AED models. Ensure the device you're considering meets these requirements.

12. Feedback from Similar Users

- If possible, get feedback from other clubs, organisations or individuals who've purchased AEDs for similar settings.

Finally, it can be beneficial to consult with the British Heart Foundation prior to purchase as they can offer specific advice based on your needs.

Remember, having an AED is just one part of the equation. Regular training and drills, proper maintenance, and public awareness are all crucial to ensure the device can be used effectively in an emergency.

Funding For Your Defibrillator

Obtaining funding for defibrillators can be achieved through various means. Here's a guide to help you secure funding.

1. National Health Service (NHS) & Related Entities

- Some NHS trusts or clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) may have funding or initiatives related to public access defibrillators.

2. Local Councils

- Many local councils support health and safety initiatives, including placing defibrillators in public areas. Approach your local council to inquire about potential funding or grants.

3. The British Heart Foundation (BHF)

- BHF has previously supported campaigns and initiatives to place defibrillators in communities. It's worth checking their current offerings or contacting them directly.

4. Crowdfunding

- Platforms like JustGiving or GoFundMe can be used to raise funds. Create a compelling campaign explaining the need for and importance of defibrillators in your club.

5. Local Businesses

- Some businesses might sponsor a defibrillator as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts or to safeguard the local community in which they operate.

6. Charitable Trusts and Foundations

- Some UK-based trusts and foundations provide grants for health and safety initiatives, including the Department for Health & Social Care, AED Donate, and The National Lottery Community Fund.

7. Partnerships with Schools

- Schools might be interested in ensuring the safety of their students, staff, and parents. Collaborate to raise funds and perhaps install defibrillators on school premises.

8. Approach MPs or Local Representatives

- They might be able to guide you towards potential sources of funding or even champion the cause themselves.

When seeking funding, ensure you have a clear proposal detailing:

• The need for the defibrillator(s) in your specific area or community.
• The benefits and potential lives saved.
• Costs associated, not just for the defibrillator but also for training, installation, and maintenance.
• Any support (financial or otherwise) you've already secured.

If you already have a defibrillator or once you get one installed, it is important to register it with The Circuit.

The Circuit is the national defibrillator network and it provides the NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.

To register your defibrillator, click HERE.

Training

The British Heart Foundation offers free online training on how to do CPR if someone has a cardiac arrest HERE.

Notification of England Lacrosse Annual General Meeting

The English Lacrosse Association Ltd (England Lacrosse) has notified its affiliate members that the 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 12 October at 6.00pm at Landmark Offices, 1 King's Cross Bridge, London N1 9NW, and also via the Microsoft Teams Platform.

Details regarding nomination of representatives for AGM attendance and voting have been sent to all affiliate members and AGM papers are now available below.

Rob Clark appointed first ever England women's box lacrosse team Head Coach

England Lacrosse is delighted to announce experienced coach, Rob Clark, as the new and first Head Coach of the England women’s box lacrosse team.

Having been involved in the England men’s box lacrosse set-up since its inception in 2007, Rob takes up the England women’s Head Coach role with immediate effect and is initially tasked with assessing and selecting a squad of players to compete in the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica, New York, USA in September next year.

Joined by box lacrosse veteran, Scott Joyner, who grew up playing the game in the USA, as his Assistant Coach, Rob is due to hold several open training sessions over the next few months for those players interested in playing box lacrosse.

The first of these open sessions will be at the Oxford Academy in Oxford on 21 and 22 October and sign up will go live on the England Box Lacrosse website in due course.

Initially taking up the sport over 40 years ago at the age of 10, Rob has experienced all sides of the game, including as a player, an official, a coach, and an administrator.

Rob continues to play for his local field side, Spencer, and with the Southern Box Lacrosse (SBL) Capitals at box lacrosse events and remains a trustee of SBL, a charity he helped to found.

Rob was a part of a group putting plans together for the first England women’s box lacrosse team back in 2020 until the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone to stop playing sport.

But this didn’t crush the appetite for a women’s team and Rob is delighted to have been appointed the first ever England women’s box lacrosse team Head Coach.

“Having been involved in this journey from the start, I feel immensely proud to be given the responsibility to guide the first ever England Women's Box Programme as Head Coach to a World Championships.

“With less than 12 months to achieve this, we have some big challenges ahead but we are fortunate to be able to build on the work already done by SBL and Northern Box Lacrosse (NBL) over the past 18 months.”

England Lacrosse National Performance Manager, Derek Morgan, said:

"We’re delighted to appoint Rob as the new Head Coach of the England women’s box lacrosse team and we can’t wait to get started on this exciting new project.

“The growth of box lacrosse over the past few years has been incredible to see and we’re looking to continue that growth over the next year and beyond with the help of Rob and his coaching team, starting with the World Championships next year.”

Be an official at 2023 BUCS Lacrosse Sixes

England Lacrosse is searching for individuals to officiate at the annual British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Lacrosse Sixes at Nottingham Trent University on Sunday 15 October 2023.

Taking place at Nottingham Trent’s Clifton Campus, the BUCS Lacrosse Sixes competition features university teams from all over the country, playing the new six-a-side version of lacrosse.

It is a fantastic opportunity for officials early in their journey to begin officiating Sixes Lacrosse, with experienced Sixes officials attending to help develop emerging talent; officiating coaches will also be in attendance to provide further coaching and development.

Officials who take part will receive a £75 match fee and up to £50 in travel for the day of attending with officials needing to be on-site no later than 9:30am and the final games finishing at around 6pm.

Any officials wishing to attend the event should click the button below and complete the form.

Please note, applications will close at 9am on Tuesday 3 October.

Head Coaches announced for SBL Winter Box League 2023

Southern Box Lacrosse (SBL) has announced the six Head Coaches to lead the teams at the Winter Box League 2023.

Tom Roche, Rob Ingham Clark, Sam Perry, Cai Jefferies, Iain Murray, and Don McGraw will take charge of the teams at this year’s Winter Box League taking place on 10 December, 17 December, and 7 January at the Oxford Academy, Oxford.

SBL’s Winter Box League is the first of its kind in England and brings together some of the best box lacrosse players from all over the country in a battle to be crowned champions of England.

At the inaugural event last year, London Knights came out on top after remaining unbeaten throughout the competition and defeating Steelheads 8-7 in the final.

England men’s box lacrosse team captain, Tom Roche, who played for London Knights at last year’s event, will take on the Knights’ Head Coach role for 2023.

Tom has represented England in box lacrosse since 2014 and has recently turned his hand to coaching, founding Richmond Junior Lacrosse Club and becoming an Assistant Coach on the England Lacrosse under-20 men’s programme.

England men’s box lacrosse team Assistant Coach, Rob Ingham Clark, takes charge of Steelheads, a team he founded back in 2019, as they look to go one better than the silver medal they received last year.

Domestically, Rob is the Head Coach at Camden Capybaras with their women’s team and has been Head of Lacrosse at Stowe School for over five years.

Co-founder of Southern Box Lacrosse as well as the team he’ll be coaching at the Winter Box League this year, Sam Perry has been appointed as the Head Coach of SBL Capitals.

An ever-present in the Capitals team since 2028, Sam will lead his side in their first Winter Box League appearance with an ethos of giving players the chance to prove themselves and develop.

Experienced box lacrosse player and part of the England men’s team that won the 2022 European Box Lacrosse Championship, Cai Jefferies takes the helm at Heaton Hornets after being the first draft pick for Thundercats as a player last year.

Cai has decided to focus on coaching in this year’s competition and has already been working hard and trying out his tactical skills with the North Team development squad during the 2023 North v South box lacrosse series.

For the first time, two women’s teams will take part in the Winter Box League with captain of Camden Capybaras and Scotland box lacrosse, Iain Murray, taking charge of the SBL Ravens.

Iain has box coaching experience as an Assistant Coach for Switzerland during the 2017 European Box Lacrosse Championship and, growing up in Canada, has plenty of lacrosse knowledge that he’s ready to share with the squad.

The second women’s Head Coach is Don McGraw who will lead Courage in the 2023 Winter Box League. Don is the current Head Coach of the Switzerland women’s field team as well as the Oxford University Programme.

After moving to the UK from New York, USA, Don became the Head Coach for the Exeter University Lacrosse Programme in 2017-2018; he is now ready to apply his extensive field lacrosse experience to the box game.

For more information about the Winter Box League 2023, click HERE.