England Lacrosse are saddened to learn of the death of former Centurion Lacrosse Club President and SEMLA Secretary, Denis Hanks.
Denis, who had a glittering lacrosse playing career spanning three decades, played for Cheadle LC and Kenton LC before moving into the administrative side of the game, serving as SEMLA Secretary from 1969 to 1975 and Centurion President from 1995 to 1998.
He dedicated his whole life to lacrosse and was integral in the creation of the modern English field game.
On Saturday, the Centurion Lacrosse Club released this statement:
“It is with great regret that The Centurion Lacrosse Club announces the death of Denis Hanks.
“Denis died after several months in hospital following complications relating to his diabetes.
“Denis played for Cheadle LC and in the 1960s, 70s and into the 80s in goal for Kenton LC.
“His performance for Middlesex against Kent in the 1960s was recorded by Pathe news when he demonstrated lacrosse goal-keeping to the cinema going world (see below).
“Denis was a member of The Centurion LC for very many years and served as our President from 1995 to 1998.
“He masterminded the club’s House of Lord’s dinner for the last few decades always producing the most memorable of lacrosse events.
“He organised the manufacture of the club’s much-loved tie and more recently designed and produced our jaunty baseball cap.
“As SEMLA secretary from 1969 to 1975, Denis was at the heart of the controversy that changed our sport forever:
“In 1970, on behalf of the South, he proposed to the English Lacrosse Union that the game change from 12 to 10 a side; the vote was 10–10 and so the status quo prevailed.
“The South decided to go its own way and sometime later the North then followed creating the modern English field game.
“Denis enjoyed his lacrosse and contributed to the game over many years. He was loyal to his clubs and a great friend to all in the game that he met. He will be greatly missed. He leaves his wife Tricia and two sons.
“The funeral will take place on 4th June but necessarily is for close relatives only.”
England Lacrosse would like to offer our condolences to Denis’s family and thank him for the years of service he gave to the game we all love.