Last week, Oxford City Lacrosse Club held its inaugural Primary Schools Festival with five primary schools in West Oxford participating in a round robin POP Lacrosse tournament at Matthew Arnold School in Cumnor, Oxford.

Over 60 pupils from North Hinksey, Botley, and West Oxford primary schools attended the Festival as Oxford City Lacrosse Club aims to increase participation in lacrosse in the area.

The tournament was the culmination of a huge amount of work conducted by Oxford City in their local area, introducing lacrosse to year five and six pupils at primary schools in West Oxford ahead of the sport making its return to the Olympic Games in LA in 2028.

This is the first time a lacrosse-specific partnership between schools and a community club has taken place in Oxford and, following Oxford City’s work, the five primary schools are now keen to ensure lacrosse becomes a permanent part of the KS2 PE curriculum.

Oxford City Lacrosse Club President Annabel Campbell said:

"What a fantastic sight to see over 60 children playing lacrosse, most for the first time, at the West Oxford Primary Schools Lacrosse Festival at Matthew Arnold School. I could hear cheers and shouts of excitement all afternoon - it demonstrates that lacrosse is an exciting sport and accessible to all.

“There was some real talent on display and I'm hopeful we can develop a West Oxford team to participate in regional and national POP Lacrosse tournaments next year - and who knows, one day we might have Olympic lacrosse players from Oxfordshire!"

Head of PE at Matthew Arnold School, Jake East said:

"Lacrosse has been our first sports partnership with a local community club and it's been a huge success. The children's enjoyment was obvious and I thank all the staff for introducing and coaching a new sport within their PE timetable.

“We're now planning on creating similar festivals, introducing new sports to as many young people as possible, with the support of community clubs. Lacrosse has been a great sport to launch this initiative and we're keen continue and hold a festival every year."