England Lacrosse learns of the passing of Geoffrey Wilkinson

England Lacrosse is saddened to learn of the death of Geoffrey Wilkinson on Monday (17 December).

Geoffrey was a long-standing figure within the lacrosse community with his involvement in the sport spanning decades across many different areas.

He was the last surviving founder member of the Centurion Lacrosse Club, established in 1954, working to support lacrosse and further the game amongst young players and remained on the General Committee until his passing.

England Lacrosse would like to send our sincere condolences to Geoffrey’s family and friends at this difficult time.

England Lacrosse will communicate details on funeral arrangements once available.

Steve Lydon appointed Senior Men’s Head Coach

England Lacrosse is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Lydon as England Senior Men’s Head Coach.

As Head Coach at Boston College High School, Lydon led his team to the State Championship in 2018, and a ranking in the Top 25 High School programmes in the USA.       

Lydon will lead Team England to the 2020 European Championships in Wroclaw, Poland before working towards the 2022 FIL World Championships in Coquitlam, Canada.

He played NCAA DI Lacrosse for Providence College, a three-year team captain graduating in 2011, before beginning his coaching career as Head Coach at hometown high school, Braintree, MA.

After improving fortunes at Braintree, Lydon moved on to B.C. High in 2015 to take up his current role, totalling a 76-14 record, in that time including becoming 2018 State champions.

Also as Associate Director of Skill Development at Laxachusetts, a leading US club programme, he is responsible for recruitment, selection and development, establishing a culture involving the production of a long line of NCAA recruits from the programme.

Jane Powell, National Talent Development Manager, said of the appointment:

“Steve is a young coach with a strong lacrosse background and an impressive track record in his coaching career to date.

“His experience in working with and nurturing young talent to become performance athletes will be a valuable asset to the setup, with a strong work-ethic and values that embody our organisation.

“After written applications, formal interview, and review process with the Independent Performance Advisory Group, Steve has come out as the strongest candidate to take the programme forward and shares our vision for the future”.

“I would also like to sincerely thank Tom Wenham and his coaching staff for all their hard work over the last few years.

Winning another European gold, as well as maintaining 5th place and a spot in the Blue Division at the recent World Championships has left the programme in a good position from which to move forward”.

Look out for a full, in depth interview with new Head Coach Steve Lydon coming in the new year.

Level 3 Umpiring Course: Manchester

The Level 3 Head Official is a role that is fundamental to delivering a high quality 3-person officiating team. A Level 3 Official will oversee many sections of pre and post match coordination.

The course includes the theory element on Saturday 5 January 2019, in addition to an initial feedback opportunity, to be agreed at a suitable date, and subsequent mentoring and feedback opportunities leading up to a final assessment.

Saturday 5 January 2019 - 10:30 - 16:30
England Lacrosse Head Office
National Squash Centre
Rowsley Street
Manchester
M11 3FF

Course Prices
£75 Registered Individual with England Lacrosse
£105 Non-Registered Individual

Eligibility

Candidates must have previously completed and achieved their Level 2 qualification 

Course Outline & Content

The course aims to up-skill the Level 2 official into the 3-man system, providing the individual with a comprehensive understanding of how to interpret and apply full FIL rules on the field.

The syllabus covers five units:

• Game management

• Positioning and fitness

• Foul recognition 

• Play set-ups

• Communication 

At the end of the course the individual will be able to lead and maintain the safety of an officiating team at senior national events.

Level 3 officials will have access to umpire high level games including visiting National teams, be able to apply to European events and will have the opportunity to be mentored towards the International Officiating Pathway.