“I'm really excited to play in my first big competition with British Lacrosse and be there with some of my best friends who are also on the team.”

Those are the initial thoughts of England and Great Britain star Emma Savage who is gearing up to compete in The World Games for the first time in six days’ time on the other side of the world in Chengdu, China.

With lacrosse being an amateur sport in England and funding almost entirely by the athletes themselves, lacrosse players have a lot going on and it’s no different for Savage.

“It's been a hectic year. I've just finished medical school and I'm graduating as a doctor next week, so watch out in the hospitals! It's been crazy, but also really exciting and fun to have lacrosse as an outlet.”

Savage has been in and around the Great Britain team for two years now and won her first major title with England last year at the 2024 Euros, not bad for an athlete who has just celebrated her 23rd birthday.

Recently the British Lacrosse squad travelled to Japan, something Savage says was vital for their preparations ahead of the World Games.

“We've just recently been to Japan and played some high-level matches against them, which was really good to prepare, because we're also playing them in China. I've been carbing up, eating lots of food, been going to the gym, and generally been getting fit.”

Off the field, Savage is a big fan of social media platform TikTok and helps to run the England and British Lacrosse accounts, even if some of her team mates are not as enthusiastic.

“My favourite team bonding activity is making TikTok dances with my friends. Even if they don’t want to be in them initially, they end up loving them!

“I get a lot of my TikTok inspiration from [USA American Rugby Union player] Ilona Maher. She is hilarious and I think I try to replicate her banter, but it definitely doesn't work. But I'm growing, so follow me on TikTok!”

Savage and her Great Britain team begin their The World Games campaign at 7:30am (UK) on 7 August in Chengdu against hosts China in Group A.

For more information about the competition, click HERE.