England Lacrosse is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Merrifield as the new England Women’s Under 19 Head Coach for the upcoming World Championships.

She has accepted the role to lead the squad on an interim basis for the 2019 U19 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship in Peterborough, Canada, 1-10 August.

Merrifield is regarded as one of the legends of the game, with a trailblazing career spanning more than a decade at the top of the game.

A three-time senior World Cup representative, two of which ended in selection for the All-World Team and memorably winning bronze in Guildford in 2017.

She also played at the 2007 U19 World Cup, also winning bronze and was subsequently identified for a scholarship to play at Maryland University where she would win a National championship in 2010. She will now no doubt be looking to inspire the team to similar glories from the sideline.

Having coached at St Catherine’s and Wycombe Abbey School over the last few years, Laura is now at Guildford High, helping the school to runners-up in the U19 National Schools Championships in March as well as one win and two more runners-up spots across the various age categories.

Jane Powell, National Talent Development Manager, commented: “I’m delighted that Laura has accepted the Head Coach position, and in Laura we have someone who is well-known and hugely respected throughout the sport who will provide bags of Championship experience and know-how to the team.

“We are now working with Laura to finalise the rest of the coaching and support staff and are confident in putting together a group that should allow the squad to flourish at the World Championships”.