For the past week, the England women’s under-20 World Championship training squad has been on tour in Florida, USA taking on top level opposition as they continue to prepare for the 2024 World Lacrosse Women’s U20 Championship in August.
The 29-player training squad travelled across the pond with four coaches, including Head Coach Vic Alexander, and took part in a programme of training sessions and scrimmages against American college teams.
The tour allowed the players to experience a performance environment similar to the one they’ll find at the World Championship in Hong Kong, China.
It also exposed the players to high-level situations against top quality NCAA athletes who are on the verge of their 2024 college seasons, allowing our England coaches to see how the players cope under pressure and in different match situations.
England played five scrimmages in total against the University of South Florida (x2), Florida Southern College, Florida Institute of Technology, and the University of Tampa, with players rotated throughout matches in line with the wider training schedule.
Despite five losses, including a narrow 14-12 defeat to Florida Institute of Technology, the players and coaches have learned a lot and come away with some invaluable experiences ahead of the World Championship.
The players have been able to build stronger bonds across the squad both on and off the field and the team has made some important connections with lacrosse players from the United States.
Following the tour to Florida, the squad will continue to work hard in training sessions with the next big milestone being the annual Home Internationals Series in early April before the final 22-player World Championship squad is announced shortly after.
Florida Tour Results
Thursday 8 February | England 6-22 University of South Florida
England scorers | Pobjoy (2), Connor, MacLean, Moody, Russell
Thursday 8 February | England 8-20 Florida Southern College
England scorers | Light (3), Bell (2), MacLean, Mather, Sherwen
Friday 9 February | England 12-14 Florida Institute of Technology
England scorers | Sherwen (3), Ball (2), Moody (2), Johnson (2), Light, Cant, Renders, Russell,
Saturday 10 February | England 7-20 University of Tampa
England scorers | Johnson (2), Renders (2), Bell, Own Goal, Russell
Monday 12 February | England 19-4 University of South Florida
England scorers | Bell (2), Light, Renders