Lacrosse Scotland Development - A Tar-tan-tastic start !

 

In July 2021, TLF approved a grant to Lacrosse Scotland of up to £11,000, to help expand the game north of the border.  Following some personnel changes, Rosie Hazell took up the leadership of the programme at the end of the year - to begin the delivery at the beginning of 2022.

In addition to the TLF funding, Lacrosse Scotland received a grant from World Lacrosse, which they used to purchase 6 sets of 30 sticks plus balls, bibs & cones for use in taster/beginner-sessions.  TLF then covered the expenses for the coaches to travel and visit schools & clubs.     

Pupils from Glasgow High School

During the first three months (to April 2022), coaching/engagement visits were made to:

  • Four schools where lacrosse is already played [Glenalmond (Perth); St Leonards (St Andrews); Loretto & St Georges (Edinburgh)] to give them support, & ensure they knew how to get help to develop their level of lacrosse;

  • Six schools who were new to lacrosse

    • Five High Schools at Edinburgh [Trinity & Boroughmuir]; Glasgow [High School of & Hutcheson’s GS];  & Perth [Strathallan]; &

    • One Primary school [Cargilfield (Edinburgh)].

These visits engaged over 650 pupils across the 10 schools – with over 60% of these being new to lacrosse.

Since May 2022, a further six schools (3 Primary & 3 Secondary) have been visited by student volunteers from Glasgow, Stirling & Dundee Universities with another 1000 pupils engaged in both school-time and after school clubs.

In May 2022 a Rosebowl Tournament was held in Edinburgh with five schools (2 ‘new’ schools/3 ‘existing’ schools) taking part, and then in June a ‘Summer Series of Sixes’ took place, with a mixture of existing players (schools and clubs), beginners, and even a few ex-players who were looking to get back into lacrosse.

The contributions made by the student volunteers, the involvement of members of the senior National squad, plus the co-ordination & management of the programme have all been key to achieving this initial success. 

From September 2022, after-school clubs are due to continue in all the schools who were introduced to the game before the summer, and a new junior mixed club is being started in Edinburgh in October with training sessions at the weekends.

TLF have agreed to fund a dedicated coach who, starting in September 2022, will visit the schools throughout the 2022/23 academic year, will continue to support the student volunteers to ensure the momentum can be maintained, and will run CPD sessions for school teachers at the schools taking up the sport.

“I have really enjoyed getting involved in the Lacrosse Scotland development programme. Through volunteering in different schools I have really seen the impact that developing both coaches and players can have on the growth of the sport. I can’t wait to get further involved throughout the next academic year” (Zoe Dickson)

 
Rob Collinge