Under 19's (Centex) World Championship article

Four years ago the England Women’s Under 19 lacrosse squad and management returned from the United States somewhat disillusioned with another ‘so near yet so far’ performance at the World Championships.  The 4th place achieved by the squad was a creditable one but England had not secured a medal at this age level since 1995 and it was long overdue.  In 1999 we had narrowly lost to Canada in the bronze medal play off and, although we have always known that England has the ability to compete for medals, we have not consistently realised our potential.  Consequently, after much reflection and research the Centex programme was created in 2003.  Its intention was to provide greater opportunities for aspiring and potential Under 19 England players in terms of the development of technical, tactical, game and match play as well as focusing on their physical and mental preparation.  Most importantly, players could be monitored over a longer period of time and in a variety of situations. 

Throughout the past 4 years Centex players have participated in many training days.  There have also been fixtures against overseas teams, including the University of Notre Dame, and Centex squads have competed in the Senior Territorial and Reserves Tournaments.  A Centex team also competed in the 2006 Prague Cup, emerging as winners of the senior section.  Finally, many of the players have benefited from training with and playing as part of the Senior National Squad.  This link between Under 19’s and seniors has been of paramount importance in the development of the individual player and both national representative sides. 

Despite an ongoing selection process taking place, the year leading up to the World Championship saw the inevitable final cut.  The selected 25 (18 players with 7 reserves) were named and all these players trained and competed together up until the squad’s departure; this helped to ensure that should a change need to be made, it would have the least amount of disruption to the group.  Selection is never an easy task and this occasion was no exception due to the exceptionally high standards the players and coaches had set.  However, some players with an inner strength and passion to achieve on the bigger stage were pushing themselves forward as their game showed greater development in terms of fitness, tactical play, mental toughness and character.  Squad training occurred every fortnight for the selected 25 as well as individual training, fixtures and other commitments too, such as fundraising.  This was all alongside their responsibilities to school life, college/university or work.  Social life, what’s that?!  It is for these reasons that those who played at the World Championships thoroughly deserved their place and the bronze medal position.  With all this in mind the mood entering the tournament was one of both excitement and expectancy.  No England Women’s Under 19 team had ever prepared as well for any World Championships to date.  However, this does not always guarantee success and there was a long road still ahead.

The seeding and groupings for the championships was based upon the finishing positions from the 2003 competition, with the exception of new entries including New Zealand and the Haudenosaunee.  England, therefore, found themselves in the top group alongside America, Australia and Canada, the host nation.  This was a tough ask as it did not allow for any ‘easier’ games early on in the proceedings.  However, we had been aware of our draw for some time and had prepared as best we could for the timings and type of games we were about to face.  The squad had been provided with a rigid personal training schedule during the last year that they following during their time away from squads.  This was monitored thoroughly including a system of fitness testing.  The training consisted of three phases starting with endurance work and tapering to quality sprints as we approached the championships.  Training at squads was also carried out with bin bags under their clothes to simulate, as best as possible, the intense heat and playing conditions the squad would be exposed to.  The heat and humidity would not be in the same league as America, 4 years earlier, where England encountered huge problems including the hospitalisation of a player due to severe dehydration.  However, the temperature and humidity would be in excess of anything England players are generally familiar with.  Consequently the preparation, as with everything, was vital. 

The inevitable hiccups, such as injuries and illness hit England, as they do most squads, during the week of competition.  Consequently and unfortunately, this naturally led to an inconsistency in the teams’ performances and a mixed set of results. 
The first match against the United States was a rude awakening and we experienced the effects of a well drilled, cohesive and physically strong squad.  However, the disappointing 18-4 result did not reflect the % of play we possessed or the effort put in by the England side, particularly in the second half where the score was a respectable 6-3.  That said, the win was a fully justified result for the Americans.  The large amount of time spent together by the England squad had created a strong bond between them and strength of character.  Therefore the post match discussion moved swiftly to the next match with a positive feeling within the group. 

In the 2nd match against Australia the England squad showed enormous spirit and composure and produced an outstanding performance.  A late equaliser by the Australians snatched our first victory from us but, nonetheless, the performance was very encouraging considering all factors.   
Our 3rd match against Canada was played on the 4th day of the tournament, having had a day off to both recover and prepare.  With some players ill for this game we were neither surprised nor drastically disappointed at the 9-5 loss.  This result however placed us 4th in the group and meant that we would play Japan, who had topped the 2nd group, in order to establish the tournaments semi-finalists.  Again, England showed their strength and resolve and turned in a good performance with a 17 – 8 result.  In this game the result was far more important than the score and therefore we adopted a style and line ups to reflect that.  

On securing a semi-final place we were faced with the Americans once more!  As we were now in the knock out stage of the competition we would have to beat them in order to proceed to the Championship final.  As we were all too aware from other tournament results the closest any team had got to the Americans was a 10 goal margin!  Therefore we entered the match with a very distinct game plan.  The significance of this particular match was the recognition that there was another very important match to follow the next day regardless of the result of this fixture.  Needless to say, when the game began to unfold in the Americans favour, Plan B came into operation and we looked to the bronze medal game as our personal Championship final - energy consumption was vital.  Another solid performance and deserved victory for the Americans saw them proceed to the gold medal match with an 18 – 3 win.

On Championship Finals Day, the squad naturally awoke with nerves but an excitement that is to be expected from a group of players, most of whom had dedicated the last 4 years of their life to this event.  The final match in England’s campaign was naturally of huge significance.  The Canadians being the home side and disappointed to not be playing in the final, had huge expectations for this game and we knew that we had to be at our best.  England went 2 goals up within a short period of time and it was clear that confidence and determination were transmitted throughout the group.  However, the Canadians hit back and by half time we were 6-3 down.  We had been in this position before and therefore we used the half time effectively to reinforce game plans as well as take a well earned rest from the heat.  The squad took to the field in the second half with renewed focus and determination and the gap was closed quite quickly.  The rest of the half was evenly fought and with less than 1 minute to go the score was 8-8.  It was crucial not to concede at this point and yet every effort must be made to secure a victory because of what was at stake. 

From a turnover in our defence end, the ball was carried at speed down the right wing.  As the player approached the final ¼ of the pitch the ball was fed in to the 11m and due to the mass numbers in front of goal it was only the movement of the back of the net that confirmed that we had scored – less than 30 seconds left on the clock!  With little time left it was vital to secure our game defensively and this was superbly achieved by the players.  The rest is history as they say! 
Words cannot express the emotions that followed that day.  However, when all is said and done those who have been involved with the England campaign in Canada know that 3rd spot was the very least the squad deserved. 

After Australia equalised in the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and before England finally took the World title, Martin Johnson said to his players that there was no point reflecting on emotions about what has happened but look to how to improve future performances.  Therefore, having made significant strides in England Women’s Under 19 lacrosse, resulting in the first medal for 12 years, what does the future hold for our young and gifted players?  Well, on evidence of the performances by attendees at both the regional and national Centex centres held in August, there is much to be expected and the future looks very bright.  The standard of play was higher than that of the players who attended the Inaugural Centex programme in their 4 year build up towards the 2007 Championships.  This is a reflection on the good work taking place on the regional programme's in the initial stages of preparation for representative play.  However, the potential will only be realised if the programme continues to develop and be fully supported and the players and officials maintain their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause. 

The Centex programme has already made great strides.  From its inauguration in 2003 we have seen the establishment of 3 regional centres to accompany the national programme and from this year Centex representative sides will participate in the Junior Territorial Tournament, Territorial Reserves and Territorial Championships.  Furthermore, there are plans to send teams to compete once again in the Prague Cup and enjoy hosting strong oversees touring groups.
Other positives from the programme include the development of young and talented coaches.  At both regional and national level the coaching is provided by highly experienced and knowledgeable individuals as well as current national players of varying ages and experience.  Therefore expertise is passed on through team coaching and thus the continuity of top class coaching continues.
The success of this initiative has therefore been proven in several ways:- 

1. The squad achieved a much deserved bronze medal in the World Championships in August this year.  The nail biting 9-8 victory against Canada was an exciting spectacle and the result was pure justification for the exceptional hard work, focus and commitment provided by the players over the years. 

2. An impressive performance against Australia, the eventual silver medallists resulting in an 8-8 score, also convinced many interested in, or involved with the England set up that so much more is possible from our national side at this age group.

3. A total of 9 of the World Championship squad have been part of a senior national side that has toured or will be touring the United States during the past year.  The vision of Lois Richardson to provide opportunities to ‘test out’ these young players is one huge positive but more importantly these players are worthy of this level of play.  This bodes well for continued development of our national players and teams. 

4. No less than 6 Under 19 players have had an interest shown in them by American Colleges who wish to offer scholarships as a result of their impressive play – 6 more than at any other time in Under 19 World Championship history!

5. Present Senior England players who coach at the centres and transfer their current knowledge and experience is of great value in familiarisation, fostering of role models as well as the obvious development of coaching ability and transition.

6. The greater number of opportunities whereby familiarity with player’s attitude and development has enabled the ‘best’ squad to be selected as opposed to the most talented for example.

Finally, this is an ideal opportunity to personally thank everyone who was involved in this highly successful England Under 19 campaign.  I apologise for the list but I would not have enough space to mention everyone individually. 
1.  Centex coaches and administrators.
2. Centex players and Senior England players
3. Schools, clubs and staff who have provided their grounds and facilities.
3. Committees, organisers/organising committees and officials.
4. Sponsors.
5. Family & friends, particularly those who travelled to Canada.
6. Finally, the World Championship players and management group.  I cannot separate them because I still liken them as a team. 
The players should be immensely proud – the passion and commitment paid off and is thoroughly deserved.  In all my years of involvement with England lacrosse and in a variety of capacities, I have yet to meet a group of players who collectively possess mutual respect, commitment, talent and of course that old favourite, humour.  They should be as proud of themselves as others are of them.  I trust that with the experience gained they will continue to impress and inspire others in a variety of roles and levels within this sport.   Those happy memories will last forever and I wish each one of them the very best of health, happiness and success.

The management worked so hard behind the scenes.  They individually and collectively created an effective, harmonious and fun environment in which the players could express themselves to their fullest, thus creating a cohesive and successful unit.    

Both parties will never know how eternally grateful I am to each and every one of them for making the whole campaign so worthwhile and enjoyable.  I have experienced a mixture of emotions during the last 4 years but the strength I have acquired from the support and commitment from many others has made me very grateful, proud and optimistic.

The point is simple:- England Women’s lacrosse is currently in a stronger position than it has been for many years.  The monitoring and development of players and the opportunities available to them is exceptional.  If we wish to make an even greater mark on international lacrosse everything is now in place to do so.

Anne Smith