Clinical Canada clinch Group A victory over Great Britain

Great Britain fell to a narrow 14-10 second day defeat to the world’s number one team Canada at The World Games 2025 earlier today.

Cece Green bagged four goals as her Great Britain team largely matched Canada throughout the 32-minute match but an outstanding third quarter from the opposition eventually saw GB lose for the first time in their second Group A match.

Great Britain started with a bang and found themselves a goal to the good after Lauren Hart netted within two minutes.

Such is the nature of Sixes Lacrosse, however, Canada found themselves back in the game and then 2-1 ahead just a minute later after goals from Erica Evans and Dylana Williams.

With less than four minutes left in the first quarter, Chess Gray scored to get GB back level at 2-2 but Canada had the last laugh after Annabel Child put her team in front with 21 seconds to go.

The second quarter was another back and forth battle with Canada initially pulling two goals ahead through Maddy Baxter before Minty Loxton and Green hit back for GB.

The momentum never truly seemed to swing in GB’s favour and they were always chasing the game: Evans putting Canada 5-4 ahead, Liv Wimpenny equalising for GB, and Nicole Perroni ensuring Canada went in at half-time 6-5 up.

Throughout the history of lacrosse, games have been won and lost in the third quarter and this game was no different.

Gray scored her second to equalise for GB in the first 40 seconds but that was about as good as it got for her side in the third.

Goals from Evans, Baxter, Jordan Dean, and Williams saw Canada pull four goals ahead going into the fourth quarter, leaving GB with a huge hill to climb.

Green and Loxton gave GB some hope, scoring their seventh and eighth goals either side of Canada’s 11th of the game from Evans but three quick-fire goals from Perroni (x2) and Child for Canada effectively ended the contest with four minutes left in the game.

To their credit, Great Britain continued to push right to the final whistle and scored two final goals through Green to finish the match in the ascendancy.

Elsewhere in Group A on day two, Japan, who Great Britain will take on tomorrow, defeated China 18-3.

Today’s results mean Canada currently top Group A with Great Britain in second, ahead of Japan in third on goal difference.

Great Britain will take on Japan in a Group A crunch match at 7:30am (UK) tomorrow (Saturday 9 August) with a semi-final place on the line.

Follow all the latest from The World Games HERE.

Great Britain 10-14 Canada (2-3, 3-3, 1-4, 4-4)

Great Britain scorers | Cece Green (4G), Liv Wimpenny (1G, 2A), Emma Savage (3A), Chess Gray (2G), Minty Loxton (2G), Lauren Hart (1G, 1A), Anna Neville (1A), Lottie Robertson (1A).

Goalie save % | Dylan Whittington 45.45% (5/11), Emilie Chandler 27.27% (3/11).

Opening day joy for Great Britain against China at The World Games 2025

Great Britain started their The World Games 2025 campaign off with a bang as they defeated hosts China 24-2 in their opening game of Group A.

Lottie Robertson, Liv Wimpenny, and Emma Savage were the stand-out players, scoring 15 goals between them, as their team eased their way into the competition in Chengdu on day one.

Great Britain started with huge intensity and direction and sped into a 3-0 lead with just over two minutes gone on the clock after goals from Wimpenny, Robertson, and Anna Neville.

This was merely a sign of things to come for China as GB ended the first quarter with seven more goals to see them head into the second with a 10-goal lead.

Great Britain eased slightly in the second quarter but still managed to put five past Becky Yang in the China goal courtesy of Emma Oakley, Cece Green, Wimpenny, and Savage (x2).

In the third, China opened their The World Games 2025 account after Angela Zou netted past Emilie Chandler in the GB goal but this wasn’t a hint at a second half China comeback as Neville hit back within eight seconds.

Further goals from Hart, Wimpenny, and Loxton saw GB take a 19-1 lead into the final eight-minute quarter.

As in the third quarter, China scored the first goal of the fourth through Lee Chen which again seemed to kickstart GB as they replied with goals from Green, Wimpenny, Robertson, and Savage (x2) to seal a 24-2 victory.

It’s worth noting Great Britain’s two goalies Dylan Whittington and Emilie Chandler, who between them saved 12 of China’s 14 shots seeing them finish with a respective 100% and 78% save record.

Elsewhere in Group A on opening day, Canada beat Japan 20-5 meaning Great Britain sit in top spot on goal difference after game-day one.

Great Britain will take on second-placed Canada at 2am (UK) tomorrow (Friday 8 August) and you can follow all the latest from The World Games HERE.

China 2-24 Great Britain (0-10, 0-5, 1-4, 1-5)

Great Britain scorers | Lottie Robertson (5G, 3A), Liv Wimpenny (5G, 1A), Emily Gray (1G, 5A), Emma Savage (5G), Cece Green (2G, 3A), Lauren Hart (1G, 4A), Minty Loxton (2G, 1A), Anna Neville (2G), Emma Oakley (1G, 1A).

Goalie save % | Dylan Whittington 100% (5/5), Emilie Chandler 77.78% (7/9) .

Emily Gray readies herself for third The World Games appearance

England & Great Britain veteran Emily Gray will compete at her third The World Games when she takes to the field tomorrow morning in Chengdu, China but the feeling of competing for her nation never gets old.

“The thing I'm looking forward to the most about Chengdu and The World Games is the multi-sport event and to showcase lacrosse being a new and big sport in LA 2028.”

Great Britain will take on China, Canada, and Japan in Group A over the next three days before placement and medal matches on Sunday and Monday and Gray believes the squad is suitably prepared.

“We toured Japan which was a great test for us as a squad,” Gray told the British Lacrosse Instagram channel, “and we took our reserves as well, which was an exciting opportunity for us to get lots of matches under our belt in preparation, and for us to be able to practice everything we've worked on tactically. I think that was a great chance for us to test ourselves against some of the top teams in Japan and against their national side.”

The 35-year-old, who made her England senior debut against Japan in 2008, is now a part of the Great Britain leadership team and the two-time World Championship bronze medallist never takes that sort of recognition for granted.

“It’s been a highlight. It's been exciting to lead the squad in different matches but also everyone really just comes together against all the different nations and we really feel like we're together as one team.”

In terms of role models and inspirations, Gray doesn’t look further than one of the stars of the London 2012 Olympic Games Jessica Ennis-Hill.

“Somebody I'd say I probably look up to is somebody like Jess Ennis-Hill. I think she's an inspirational role model to a lot of people and I think that just shows that she's very dedicated, committed, and puts in a lot of work behind the scenes that probably you don't necessarily know or see as an athlete and especially as an individual one. I think that's admirable to see that - it's solely on her, everything that she has achieved, she's given everything.”

Gray and Great Britain 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.

New rules approved for schools and junior clubs in England

England Lacrosse can confirm that, following on from recent discussions with and feedback from the community, the following new rules will be adopted by schools and junior clubs in England for the forthcoming 2025/26 season.

There will be an opportunity to discuss these rules changes at a special Schools’ Forum in September and the Umpiring Advisory Group (UAG) will run webinars and provide opportunities for further training as required.

A link to the full rules book and detail can be found by clicking here and please do not hesitate to contact our officiating lead Wendy Reynolds on [email protected].

2025/26 New Rules

Rule 1.A.7 Field markings
Reintroduce the previous version of the 11m MA lines and markings (in addition to the current 15m line).

Rule 16 Alternate Possession
Replaces all throws.

Rule 17.A.4 Goal Circle Fouls (new 5 second rule not adopted)
Goalkeeper/defender must move the ball out of the goal circle within 10 seconds. The 10 second count begins as soon as the ball enters the goal circle.

The UAG would like to recommend trialling the new 5 second rule with 1st & U15 teams for a further vote at the end of the Michaelmas (Autumn) Term. The 5 second count only begins once the goalkeeper/defender is in ‘possession’ of the ball.

Rule 17.A.12
Attack players & the goal circle are not allowed to have their feet grounded in or on the goal circle line but may enter the goal circle once the ball has crossed the goal line. Attacking players MAY tackle defenders in the circle but NOT the goalkeeper.

Rule 17.A.14 Goal Circle Fouls
Defending players (when their team has possession) may move through any portion of the goal circle. Any defender in possession of the ball must pass the ball within 10 seconds.

Rule 17.A.17 Goal Circle Fouls
Defending players (when their team is without possession) may move through any portion of the goal circle, however, only the defender/s marking the ball carrier (within a stick length) may remain in the goal circle.

Rule 19.A.10 Minor Fouls Body Ball eliminated
Deliberate stopping of the ball, preventing it from going over a boundary and all other body balls, will be legal but a deliberate 'kicking of the ball' will be considered a minor foul.

Rule 19.A.9 Minor Fouls Empty Stick Check
Adaptation 'incidental contact' when two players are going for a ball will not be called. However, a deliberate empty stick check will be penalised (where one player deliberately denies another the opportunity to catch/pick up a ball).

Rule19.B Minor Fouls Early Entry
If a player crosses the restraining line or enters the centre circle early, this will only be called if their team gain a clear advantage.

Rule 20.B.7 Major Fouls Shooting Space
A reminder that this does not change HOW/WHEN shooting space is called.

Rule 20.B.7.a Exception If the whistle is blown for a Shooting Space violation, between:

• The moment the shot has been released, and a goal is scored the goal will count.

• The moment the shot has been released, and the goalkeeper saves the shot while in the Goal-Circle or the shot hits the post, the goalkeeper is given Possession of the ball inside the Goal-Circle and play is re-started on the official’s whistle.

Rule 20.B.8 Major Fouls Three Second marking Area
A defender must have BOTH feet wholly inside the marking area for the count to begin.

New men's rule amendments approved for use in England

England Lacrosse can confirm that the following rule amendments have been approved by England Lacrosse for the playing of men’s field lacrosse for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons; for all other rules, the World Lacrosse Rule applies in its original form.

There will be an opportunity to discuss these rules changes at a special Schools’ Forum in September and the Umpiring Advisory Group (UAG) will run webinars and provide opportunities for further training as required.

A link to the full rules book and detail can be found by clicking here and please do not hesitate to contact our officiating lead Wendy Reynolds on [email protected] if you have any questions.

 Rule Amendments

Rule 29
29.1 The match shall be divided into 4 periods of 20 minutes duration each.
29.2 The game clock and the penalty clock(s) shall stop:
i.  Whenever the ball becomes dead during the last 30 seconds of the first, second, and third quarters and
ii. The last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter, and any overtime period. The game clock and penalty clock(s) shall restart whenever play is restarted.
These stoppages of play shall not be an opportunity for free substitution under Rule 46.4i. unless a Time-Out is called by a Game Official or correctly requested by an appropriate team member.

Rule 43 The Shot Clock
This rule is omitted and will not apply in domestic lacrosse games. As a result, the Stalling Rule (Rule 62) will continue to be applicable in the domestic game. The Rule is reproduced below together with the relevant AR examples. The Rule number is the number from the preceding World Lacrosse version of the Rules.

61.18 Over and Back
This rule is retained in the domestic game as the Shot Clock rule will not apply as  stated above.
When the Offensive team has possession of the ball inside their Attack Goal Area, the Over and Back rule shall apply.
Offensive team shall not:
i. While in player-possession of the ball, initiate contact with the centerline or anything in their defensive half of the field.
ii. Cause the ball to return to their defensive half of the field or to touch the centerline.
a. Except after a valid shot on goal that is taken from above the goal line extended (GLE), that makes contact with either the goal pipe, or the goalkeeper while inside their goal crease.
Should i. or ii. occur, it shall be judged an Over-and-Back rule violation. The result is an immediate turnover and, when possible, a quick restart for the offended team.
If the ball, or the offensive player in possession of it, does not touch the centerline or their defensive half of the field, no rule violation has occurred.
Defensive players may legally bat the ball to keep it in their offensive half of the field, but if it is possessed and their feet are touching their defensive half of the field, it shall be a turnover.
Exceptions:
An Over-and-Back rule violation does not occur when a loose ball touches the centerline or the offensive team's defensive half of the field in the following situations:
iii. After a valid shot on goal as described above (ii.a).
iv. When the loose ball was last touched by the defensive team.
The Over and Back rule will no longer apply when:
v. A goal is scored,
vi. The Defensive Team gains possession of the ball,
vii. The ball touches the centerline or the offensive team’s defensive half of the field.
viii. An Over and Back rule violation has been assessed.

Specific AR relating to intention of Over and Back Rule:

AR 61.3
Red Team have possession of the ball in their Attack Goal Area. A missed pass by a Red Player touches the centerline. The Trail official blows their whistle for the Over and Back rule violation, at the same time a Blue Player Slashes a Red Player. A flag is thrown for the Slashing foul. Are these Simultaneous fouls?

RULING: No. The ball is awarded to the Red team because of the Blue Player's Slashing major foul. It is not the intent of the rule for a player to serve penalty time for an Over and Back rule violation, but for there to be a change in Team possession. If the Blue Player had been penalized for an illegal push, hold or other Minor foul, as the Over and Back occurred we do not want to restart play with a Face-Off. (Free Play should be awarded to Red). Over and Back is intended as a 'Play of the Game' rule, similar in its application to an Out-of-Bounds situation. It is temporarily located within the Illegal Procedure group of Minor Fouls until the end of 2025, after which it will reside within the Shot Clock rules in Section 6 Play of the Game.

Rule 62: Stalling
62.1 Any deliberate action on the part of a Team in possession of the ball to maintain possession of the ball outside the attack goal area by holding or passing the ball without reasonable effort to attack its opponents’ goal is a Minor foul known as “stalling”.
62.2 A Team playing with fewer Players than its opponents due to penalties cannot be guilty of stalling.
62.3 A Team that has possession of the ball in their attack goal area cannot be guilty of stalling.
62.4 Where an Official feels that a Team in possession of the ball outside the attack goal area is not making a reasonable attempt to attack its opponents’ goal, then they shall ask that Team to “Get it in”; the Team must then carry or pass the ball into the attack goal area within a reasonable time. Once the ball is in the attack goal area, then the Team in possession shall keep it in the attack goal area. If the ball subsequently leaves the stalling area (the attack goal area) before the defending Team has had possession of the ball, except as a result of a foul by the defending Team or a deflection by the defending Team or a shot, then the Team which has been asked to “Get it in” shall lose possession to their opponents.
62.5 Where an Official feels that a Team in possession of the ball inside the attack goal area is not making a reasonable attempt to attack its opponents’ goal, then they shall ask that Team to “Keep it in”; the Team must then keep it in the attack goal area. If the ball subsequently leaves the stalling area (the attack goal area) before the defending Team has had possession of the ball, except as a result of a foul by the defending Team or a deflection by the defending Team or a shot, then the Team, which has been asked to “Keep it in”, shall lose possession to their opponents.
62.6 This rule shall not prevent a Team from employing a careful passing game for the purpose of manoeuvring the opposing Team out of position.
62.7 A stalling warning ends when:
i. The defensive Team gains possession of the ball; or
ii. A goal is scored; or
iii. A period ends resulting in a face-off.

AR 62.1
Red have been warned to “Get it in”, but they have not yet done so. A Red pass is missed, but they recover the ball before Blue gain possession of it.

RULING: The stalling warning is still in effect, and Red is again asked to “Get it in”.

AR 62.2
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. A Red pass is missed, but they recover the ball before it leaves the attack goal area, and before Blue gain possession of it.

RULING: The stalling warning is still in effect.

AR 62.3
Red have been warned to “Get it in”, but they have not yet done so. Red immediately loses possession to Blue, but then regain the ball. Rules of Men’s Field Lacrosse: 2025 – 2027 Ver 1.0 Page 91

RULING: The stalling warning is no longer in effect, as a new clearing situation has been created.

AR 62.4
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. Red loses possession to Blue, but then regain the ball.

RULING: The stalling warning is no longer in effect, as a new situation has been created.

Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. Red then takes a shot at goal.

RULING: If the ball goes out-of-bounds on the back line or on the sideline bounding the goal area, and Red are awarded possession, then the stalling warning is still in effect.

RULING: If the ball hits a pipe, and goes out-of-bounds beyond the goal area line, then no foul has been committed. If Red are awarded the ball, then the stalling warning is still in effect.

RULING: If the ball hits a pipe and becomes loose in the goal area, and Red recover possession, then the stalling warning is still in effect.

RULING: If the ball hits a pipe and rebounds over the goal area line, then no foul has been committed. If Red gain possession of the resulting loose ball, then the stalling warning is still in effect.

AR 62.6
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. The man in possession then steps on or beyond a line bounding the attack goal area, is legally forced out of that area, or passes the ball out of play. RULING: The ball is awarded to Blue.

AR 62.7
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. The man in possession then passes it out of the attack goal area into the midfield.

RULING: If Blue gain possession of a resulting loose ball, then play is allowed to continue. Otherwise, the ball is awarded to Blue at the point of the infraction.

AR 62.8
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. The man with the ball is illegally forced out of play over a boundary line.

RULING: The Blue Player serves penalty time, Red retain the ball, and the stalling warning stays in effect.

AR 62.9
Red have possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. The man with the ball is illegally forced out of the attack goal area and into the central zone.

RULING: A flag is thrown, and the stalling warning is repeated.

AR 62.10
Red has possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. A pass is deflected by a Blue Player and goes out of play. RULING: The ball remains Red, and the stalling warning stays in effect.

AR 62.11
Red has possession in the attack goal area, having been warned to “Get it in” or to “Keep it in”. A pass is deflected by a Blue Player and goes out of the attack goal area into the midfield.

RULING: Free ball. If Red regains possession of the loose ball, then the warning is immediately repeated

Rule 79.5
Penalty time will only be served during normal playing time. Stoppages in play for all timeouts, will temporarily interrupt penalty time. During an authorised time-out, or between periods, a penalised Player may leave the penalty box, but they must return at the commencement of play to complete their suspension.

England Lacrosse adopts World Lacrosse rulebook for women's teams ahead of 2025/26 season

England Lacrosse can confirm that the latest World Lacrosse rules will be adopted by senior women’s field teams and teams competing in British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competitions during the upcoming 2025/26 season.

The only exception is Rule 24 regarding the Shot-Clock which we will not be adopting.

To view the full rulebook, click here.

Please note the ‘typo’ for Rule 19.B.12:
For all minor fouls that occur inside the AFA below GLE:
19.B.12.a The Free Position is set at the dot nearer to the spot of the foul.
19.B.12.b The offender will move 4m behind from the player taking the Free Position.

This should read: The offender will move 4m to the side of the player taking the Free Position.

Please find below a summary of the major changes but please do read the full rulebook for all changes:

Rule 1.A.7 Field Markings
Reintroduction of the previous version of the 11m MA lines and markings (in addition to the current 15m line).

Rule 6.A.21
The goalkeeper must wear padded gloves and may wear shoulder/arm pads and shin guards (soccer/football style), compression shorts or football pants (American football) that conform to the body. Compression shorts or football pants may be worn with or without pads designed for the pants as designed by the manufacturer. Hard plastic pieces on goalkeeper gloves are permissible if included by design of the manufacturer.
Thumb protectors, if attached during the manufacturing process, are legal/allowed.

Rule 8.A.4 Removal of pre-game stick checks
Coaches & Team Captains will be responsible for ensuring that their players are properly and legally dressed and equipped according to Rule 3, Rule 6 and APPENDIX H and confirm this to the officials prior to the start of the game.

Rule 6.A.21 Goalkeeper Goal Score Foul Eliminated
○ If a GK throws the ball into the opponent’s goal, no foul, the goal will count.
○ If a GK crosses the attacking end restraining line, it is still a foul.

Rule 16.A Alternate Possession
Remove the throw, implement alternate possession. This is decided at the captains toss. Captains may choose which goal to defend of the first alternate possession.

Rule 16.B Coincidental Fouls

Rule 17 Goal Circle Fouls
Possession in the Circle
17.A.1 goalkeeper/defender has possession of the ball if they have one or both feet grounded in the goal circle & ball is in their stick or the ball is in the goal circle trapped under the goalkeeper’s stick.
17.A.2 when in possession of the ball in the goal circle the goalkeeper cannot be checked (stick can no longer be checked if outside sphere of circle/a defender’s stick can be checked)
17.A.4 the goalkeeper / defender must move the ball out of the goal circle within 5 seconds of gaining possession.
The official will count the 5 seconds out loud while using a visible, hand chopping motion to count each second that the ball remains in the Goal-Circle.
17.A.13 an attack player may play the ball within the goal circle but must not:

• Step on or over goal circle line to play the ball on a shot

• Step on or over the goal circle line until the whole ball has crossed the line

• Initiate contact with defender / goalkeeper

• Cause a defender to make contact with the goalkeeper

• Interfere with goalkeeper’s stick

Defence

17.A.14 Defence Has the Ball, Defence Through the Crease
○ When the defending team has possession, players on the defending team who do not have possession of the ball may move through or remain in the Goal-Circle in their defensive end of the field. Any defensive player in possession of the ball must abide by Rule 17.A.4.
17.A.17 Attack Has the Ball, Defence Through the Crease
○ Players in their Defending Area may move through their Goal Circle. Defensive Players are permitted to run through any portion of their Goal Circle while defending; however, only the defensive player(s) marking the ball carrier within a Crosse length, may remain in the crease while defending.

Rule 19 Minor Fouls
19.A.8.a “Covering”becomes “Withholding the Ball from Play”
○ A player must not trap a loose ball on the ground with their stick longer than is necessary to control the ball and pick it up in one continuous motion if an opponent is able to make a legal play on the ball. Raking the ball is permitted. A player must not withhold the ball from play with any part of their body when it prevents an opponent from making a legal play on the ball. A player must not withhold the ball from play in any other manner.
■ Exception: If the goalkeeper is grounded in their Goal-Circle they may trap the ball as per Rule 17.A.1.ii.

Rule 19.A.9 Changes to Empty Stick Check
○ A player must not check/tackle an opponent’s empty Crosse while the opponent is trying to gain possession of the ball in the air. This rule only applies when an opponent is attempting to receive a pass.
○ Guidance: Incidental contact between Crosses while playing a ball in the air is not a foul

19.B.2 & 3 Early Entry (centre-circle & midfield area)          

Rule 19.A.10 Eliminate all Body Ball fouls

Rule 20.A.20 Three Seconds
20.A.20.a Only one defender may mark the same opponent without the ball in the 11m Fan.
20.A.20.b For a defensive player to be considered “inside” the 11m Fan both feet must be fully in the 11m Fan. Once one foot is on the 11m Fan line or beyond, this defensive player is considered “out” and is no longer eligible for three seconds.

England & GB goalie Dylan Whittington looks ahead to The World Games 2025

As England and Great Britain goalie Dylan Whittington continues to prepare to make her mark on the world stage for the first time in her career at The World Games in Chengdu, China on Thursday, she been chatting to the British Lacrosse Instagram channel.

“For me personally, it's another step up and I'm excited for the challenge but as a team we're just doing kind of lots of trainings.

“I think there might be potential for a social gathering beforehand if Cece [Green] our social secretary can get that booked in.”

It’s no secret that the sixes version of lacrosse is very different from the traditional 10-a-side format, especially for those who stand between the pipes, something which Whittington has been relishing with Great Britain.

“The biggest difference I’ve found is if the ball goes wide in 10s and the other team is closer to the ball, they'll get it back. But in sixes, if you leave the ball, it's mine or ours. So being able to kind of balance between knowing when to go for a shot and not go for a shot, and whether you want to go for that tip and potentially get that save, or leave it and know that you're going to get the ball back, that's the biggest difference I've found.

“I mean, I've loved having more shots. It makes games much more exciting. Goalies can impact the game a lot more, which I really enjoy.”

Many athletes across all sports have a range of pre-game rituals and superstitions that help them get into the zone before playing and Whittington is no different.

“I love an energy drink,” Whittington said, “I think everyone on the team knows that. I probably drink the most out of anyone. So I have that.

“I also love to have a little dance in the changing room and a bit of a sing-along, and then, this is the weirdest thing, when I step onto the pitch each quarter, I have to tap my head three times and do a little breathing routine. And I do that before each quarter that I'm on, and that's just my little thing.”

Whittington 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.

Vacancy | England Lacrosse Officiating Advisory Group Member

England Lacrosse is looking to appoint a new member of our Officiating Advisory Group (OAG) to help shape the future of lacrosse officiating in England.

The ideal candidate will have a good all-round knowledge of officiating and the sport of lacrosse with experience of working in a committee, group, or similar forum.

Part of the role will require the successful individual to understand England Lacrosse’s strategic perspective to support the delivery of the EL Business Plan 2025-28 through officiating development, work as a member of a high performing team, and uphold the values of England Lacrosse.

The main responsibilities as an OAG member are:

• Ensure OAG builds and maintains links with NLC, UAG, RAG, Regions, Talent and Performance.

• Be a functional part of OAG meetings, reviewing all information on officiating development and performance in order to ensure sound decision making, effective monitoring and the provision of suitable advice.

• Identify and ensure adequate steps are taken to address any potential issues, as well as contribute to all matters discussed and agreements reached.

• Working with the EL Officiating leads to ensure the OAG achieves its targets set in the business plan and other plans set with statutory bodies or regions.

• Provide ad hoc support the rest of the OAG committee when necessary.

For a full role description, click HERE.

Commitment to Equality and Diversity

England Lacrosse is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, ensuring that all employees, volunteers (referred to collectively as ‘workers’), job applicants and prospective Board members, existing Board members, service users and other people with whom we serve are treated fairly and are not subjected to unfair or unlawful discrimination. EL values the diversity of our workers, Board members and service users. We aim to make our services as accessible and responsive as possible to all existing and potential service users and to provide a service to them which recognises and respects their differences. We recognise that our ability to meet their needs is improved by having a diverse workforce and board which generally reflects our service users. We also wish to provide the best opportunities to all of our workers, based on their abilities and potential.  EL has a board diversity policy, that clearly articulates the EL position on diversity, which can be found on our website: www.englandlacrosse.co.uk/policies

How to apply:
To express interest in this role please email the following documents to Abi Merrill at [email protected]

-        Cover Letter outlining your motivation for the post and relevant experience (Max 500 words)

-        A current CV

-        Complete Equalities monitoring form – via this link. - Equalities Monitoring Form

Application closing date | Friday 22 August.

"We've got the most incredible opportunity" | England & GB star, Anna Neville

“I'm super hyped. I think the team's just extremely pumped, especially after [the final training weekend].”

Those are the words of England and Great Britain star Anna Neville ahead of her debut at The World Games in just three days’ time.

Her Great Britain team will take on the hosts and fellow Group A opponents China in Chengdu on Thursday morning and Neville feels it’s a big moment for everyone involved.

“I think we've just got the most incredible opportunity to show the world what we're made of. And especially, we've been training so hard this year […] and I just think we have nothing to lose.”

Neville, speaking to the British Lacrosse Instagram channel, wanted to impress the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and that quite often goes unnoticed and under-appreciated.

“We've been working hard on and off the pitch. Behind the scenes, a lot goes on. We’ve all got full-time jobs and we've been working really cohesively with our Strength & Conditioning team, with our physios and our Head Coach to make sure that we're as ready as we can be.

“Off the pitch, we're sending in sweaty selfies, we're keeping morale high, we're checking on teammates, and it doesn't feel like an individual preparation. I feel like it's very much a team. We're there together.”

Back in October, British Lacrosse sent two teams to North America to compete separately in the Canada Super Sixes tournament and the American Lacrosse Experience, something which Neville believes has been an integral part of the team’s preparations for The World Games.

“It's been an amazing season. I think we've just pushed each other to be the best we can be. We started in October going to Indianapolis - half went to Indianapolis, half went to Canada - and I think that was an amazing opportunity just to know what we needed to bring and what we could bring. And I think we've just learned and grown and grown and grown since then.”

Indeed, at the Canada Super Sixes, Great Britain pulled off a huge coup in defeating the hosts in their own back yard.

“We got to play some really high teams,” Neville said, “and the team that went to Canada played Canada and beat Canada, which was such a moment. And we were so happy for the team. And it just shows the depth within the GB squad. We can go out, put two amazing teams out, and be feisty and fight for every win.”

Neville has been inspired, ahead of The World Games, by some of the people closest to her like her teammates, family, and friends but wanted to single out one specific team who have captivated the nation in recent years.

“We've been watching the Lionesses recently, and their resilience, determination, especially in their game recently against Sweden, they completely turned that around, and to be able to look up to them is incredible, and we're very aware they put in so much time and effort and we want to try to replicate that.”

Neville and Great Britain 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.

England U20 players presented with 2025 World Championship playing kit

On Friday evening, ahead of the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in Jeju, Korea, the England Men’s U20 squad held a special presentation evening in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, with each player being presented with their England shirt for the competition.

The players and coaching staff were joined by friends and family along with representatives from some of the England Men’s U20 Programme’s 2025 sponsors, including Innov8 and ITS.

Former England Men’s U20 captain and current member of the senior squad Daniel Madeley provided an after-dinner speech, giving our young lions a taste of what’s to come after he helped his England U20 sides to a European title in 2019 and a sixth place finish at the World Championship in 2022.

A pre-tournament raffle was also held, organised by the players’ parents, raising a further £5,000 which will go directly towards helping the athletes with the financial cost of attending the World Championship that begins on 15 August.

The presentation evening came just a day after the playing numbers for the squad were announced and just over a week before the team travel to Korea on Sunday 10 August.

After a period of acclimatisation, the England Men’s U20 team will take on Jamaica in Group C on the opening day of the World Championship on Friday 15 August.

This will be followed by group stage games against hosts Korea and New Zealand before the knock-out stage begins.

England Lacrosse would once again like to thank the generous contributions of the sponsors of the Programme, including Innov8, ITS, Informed Sport, and Firefly, and recognise the huge efforts of the players’ family and friends in supporting our young athletes over their fledgling careers to date.

For more information about the competition, click HERE, and follow all things to do with the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship across the England Lacrosse social media channels and website.

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England and GB athlete Lauren Hart speaks to British Lacrosse on eve of The World Games 2025

On the day that the Great Britain squad landed in Chengdu, China ahead of The World Games 2025, England & GB player Lauren Hart spoke to the British Lacrosse Instagram channel about her preparation for the tournament, studying in the US, and what she hopes to achieve at this year’s event.

“I am most excited to play as a team,” Hart told British Lacrosse, “and accomplish our goals and push the boundaries that British Lacrosse hasn't done yet.”

Having studied for her undergraduate degree in the US and playing lacrosse for the University of California , Davis, Hart recently relocated over the pond to continue her studies at the University of Exeter alongside a number of fellow England and Great Britain athletes.

“It's been a great experience. We've built the programme and we got to compete in the National Championship for lacrosse. It's been a great experience learning more about the system here in the UK and figuring out how we can grow as a sport here and continue to get better.”

Moving away from home and studying in England has been a big change for the 22-year-old but one she sees as an integral part of her personal and athletic growth.

“I think it's just great to see the development and my learning process,” said Hart, “because when I first started this year, I hadn't really had that much sixes experience, but I think now I can say I'm a little bit more seasoned. And it's just exciting to get to learn from every opportunity we get on and off the pitch.”

Being selected for the Great Britain squad for The World Games has seen Hart travel across the world and, she believes, has helped her to become a better all-round player.

“This year started off with a great experience in Indianapolis where we got to play against some of the best teams in the world. And I think that, from that experience, we've only grown and got better.

“Individually, I've been trying to focus on my in-tight dodging, my 1v1 defending, just trying my best to stay in shape over the summer and keep hitting the wall.”

Hart and Great Britain 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.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the pandas" | England & Great Britain's Cece Green on The World Games

Great Britain will take to the field in Chengdu, China, in five days as they take on China in their opening Group A match at The World Games 2025 and England and GB player Cece Green simply cannot wait.

Speaking to British Lacrosse’s Instagram channel, Green said, “I’m looking forward to playing some amazing lacrosse against some amazing teams that we've never played the likes of before. I'm also really looking forward to going to China and seeing the pandas.”

Green will be making her The World Games debut this year after breaking into the senior England team over the past couple of years, becoming a European champion in 2024. Since that competition, Green’s focus has been almost entirely on Great Britain and The World Games.

“As a team,” Green said, “we've had loads of squad weekends which have just been great and we feel like we've grown so much and I think we're very lucky to get such good support from S&C to make sure we're as fit as we can be.”

Within the Great Britain squad, Green has an extra special role as team social secretary where she is tasked with planning social excursions for the players and staff outside of playing lacrosse.

“I’ve been inspired by Claudia Winkleman to play some Traitors when we're [in China]. Also maybe Assassins, which is another very good game that we like playing, and a book club to decompress and unwind. And we'll see as the tournament goes what else we'll get up to.”

Back to the lacrosse and Green, having played the traditional 10-a-side version of the sport since she was younger, has found the transition to the sixes format fairly seamless, despite a few hiccups early on.

“I think initially it was hard because I think to be a good sixes player you obviously have to be a good attacker but you also have to be a really strong defender too.

“I think our coaches have put in some amazing work to make sure that all the straight attackers feel just as comfortable in defence and I actually love it now. I'm equally as happy when the ball is down in defence and pushing out hard, putting on lots of pressure. I feel like I finally feel really confident now which is great.”

She’s so excited about the sixes format that’ll be on show at the Olympic Games in LA in 2028 that, when asked which discipline of lacrosse she would play for the rest of her life if she had to choose, she picked sixes.

“I think it's the funnest form of lacrosse, and I feel like there's still so many more fun, creative things that we can try. Even looking at the progress that we've made over the past year, thinking about how far we could change the sport over the next few years, looks super promising.”

Green and Great Britain 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.

Newly qualified doctor Emma Savage on competing at The World Games

“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.

England U20 Men's team confirm squad numbers for World Championship

The England U20 Men’s team has confirmed its squad numbers, sponsored by ITS, ahead of the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship taking place in Jeju, Korea from 15-25 August.

England will take a 22-player squad featuring some of the brightest young talent the country has to offer with four non-travelling reserves on hand should they be needed.

The squad numbers are as follows:

1 Joachim Ruby (C)
2 James McIlhagger
3 Archie Carr
4 Zak Spreckley
5 Owen Shuttleworth
6 Drew Wilkinson
7 Ben Jackson
8 Oscar McCarthy
9 Leo Baythorpe
10 George Smith
11 Alex Tyldesley-Worster
12 Jackson Davies
13 James Thompson
14 Will Hodgson
15 Alex Cartwright
16 Jamie Mochan (C)
17 Wil Baker
18 Spencer Mason
19 Archie Gold
20 Will Brown (C)
21 Ellis Baythorpe
22 Jack Dearden
Oliver Daniels (reserve)
Dan Teal (reserve)
Luke Bond (reserve)
Finn Howie (reserve)

ITS builds and operates the UK’s largest dedicated business-grade local access fibre network — delivering the connectivity that powers everything from high street names like Starbucks and Asda, to hospitals, universities, and sports venues including Loftus Road, the home of Queens Park Rangers, and Everton’s new ground, Hill Dickinson Stadium. ITS also supports major public events, such as broadcasting the BBC’s Eurovision coverage to global audiences.

Read more about ITS and our partnership with them HERE.

England's Minty Loxton on making her The World Games debut in 2025

The lacrosse competition at The World Games 2025 starts in just seven days’ time featuring Great Britain and to mark the occasion England and GB player Minty Loxton has been telling the British Lacrosse Instagram channel that she’s excited to take part in the competition for the first time.

“I'm really excited,” Loxton said, “to play some teams I've never played before in a high-level competition and to put in all the practice that we've had all over the field in terms of preparation, recovery, and performance.”

It’s been a whirlwind few years for the 23-year-old who picked up her first European title with England in 2024 and has very quickly become a vital player for both England and Great Britain.

Loxton recently returned from injury to compete at this year’s The Fly competition, meaning her preparation for The World Games has been slightly different from others in the Great Britain squad.

“I'd say my preparation has probably been different from most other members of the squad,” she said, “I was out with an injury for about six months. So it was a lot of rehabilitation and a lot of getting back to full fitness so I could go ahead. I've been back for about two months and have been building since I got back this summer and I'm so excited to put it all together now on the pitch.”

Having made her return at The Fly Sixes Lacrosse League 2025 where she helped her Hustle team to a second place finish playing the sixes version of lacrosse, Loxton described how excited she is about the Olympic format of the game.

“I love sixes so much,” Loxton said, “I think the sixes game is so speedy, it's so fast. It's a great spectator sport and, of course, being included in the Olympics has given everyone another goal, another drive to reach.

“It's helped us as a squad, and I think you can see it, to reach another level which is great. And as an individual, I love the sixes format, the speediness, seeing both sides of the ball is great. Seeing different levels that you wouldn't see in the traditional 10-a-side game. It's all go, go, go!”

In terms of a highlight from her short but action-packed Great Britain career so far, Loxton references last year’s Canada Super Sixes event that saw GB defeat their hosts in their own back-yard.

“My highlight would definitely be our overtime win against Canada in October. We were out at the Canada Super Sixes - some of the squad went there and some of the squad went to Indianapolis for a tournament called the American Experience.

“We had some really competitive matches. Sixes always feels competitive in my eyes, which I really enjoy because of the shot clock, because of the fast pace, but these were close games. And that overtime win was definitely a good thing.”

Loxton and Great Britain 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.

England's Rachael Ball to coach on St George's Triple Arrow Summer Camps

Triple Arrow Camps has announced that England’s Rachael Ball will be coaching at the two upcoming 2025 Triple Arrow Summer Camp at St George’s School, Harpenden, taking place on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August.

Ball will coach at the camps after recently graduating from the University of Nottingham and securing the National Championship after beating Exeter on BUCS Big Wednesday.

She also brings a huge amount of international experience with her having captained England U20s to a European title in 2022 and a sixth place finish at last year’s World Championship.

Since graduating from the England U20 team last year, Ball has moved onto the England Development Squad which runs alongside the England Performance Squad and is filled with some of the country’s most talented lacrosse players.

Ball has previously coached on Triple Arrow Camps and will have an all-round coaching focus alongside the other coaches at the St George’s School Triple Arrow Camps in August.

Prices for the St George’s School Camps start at £167.50 with day options available.

England & Great Britain captain Emma Oakley on leading her nation on the international stage

With lacrosse returning to The World Games for a third appearance in eight days’ time, England and Great Britain captain Emma Oakley has been speaking to British Lacrosse’s Instagram channel about the competition, her team’s chances, and how she’s been preparing.

“I just can't wait to show the world what we've been practicing with the team,” Oakley said, “we're such a good unit, we're such good friends, and I just can't wait to go out and enjoy the time out there.”

Preparation is the key for Oakley, affectionately known as EO by her teammates, and it’s been a three-year build-up since the last iteration of The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama in 2022.

“I guess we've been preparing for Chengdu for a while now. We've got a really fresh young group that we've been building for the last three years. We’ve put in so much work in terms of our strength programme, conditioning, but then also all of our kind of big team training sessions, and we've just come off a very wet and windy training session out in the UK.”

Since 2022, Oakley has continued to grow in her role as a leader, helping England to secure an eighth Euros title as one of three captains last year.

More recently, though, Oakley’s Great Britain squad travelled to East Asia to get a feel for the possible conditions in the region ahead of The World Games and to take in friendly matches against fellow Group A opponents Japan.

“The Japan trip was incredible. We played a few of the Japanese universities, clubs, and colleges and then we went into a few tests versus Japan themselves. We had a great time with the team, and I think we’ve built loads so I’m excited to see what we can do at The World Games.”

Speaking about being chosen as one of the captains to lead Great Britain at The World Games 2025, Oakley said:

“I'm really excited to captain the team going into Chengdu because we've got a brilliant team. It's a brilliant unit already. And actually, my job is just to ensure that we stay together. We've got a brilliant leadership group, so it's not just on me at all. We've got players across different areas of the game. I'm really excited to come together as a group and just go forward.”

Great Britain begin their The World Games campaign against China on Thursday 7 August at 7:30am (UK). For more information about the competition, click HERE.

Registration opens for England Lacrosse Mixed Lacrosse Leagues

Registration is now open for the England Lacrosse Mixed Lacrosse Leagues ahead of the 2025/26 season with entry open to all England Lacrosse affiliated clubs and universities.

The England Lacrosse Mixed Lacrosse League fixtures typically take place on Sundays from October through to March with teams split into regionally based leagues depending on the geographical spread of entries.

All teams will play each other both home and away in their regional league before the top teams move into play-offs, culminating in the Mixed Lacrosse League Championship game as part of the National Club Finals at the end of the season.

Oxford City LC were the winners of the 2025 Mixed League Championship, winning the top prize for a second consecutive year.

Teams will be responsible for sourcing and booking facilities for their home games and arranging transport for away games.

Home teams are also required to provide two umpires per game. Umpires should be qualified with a minimum level 1 women’s umpiring qualification.

All players competing in the England Lacrosse Mixed Leagues must be aged 16 or over and hold a valid England Lacrosse Individual Membership for the 2025/26 season.

The entry cost for this season is £95 per team and registration is open until Friday 22 August.

England goalie Emilie Chandler can't wait to represent GB at The World Games 2025

As England goalie Emilie Chandler prepares for a third appearance at The World Games for Great Britain in Chengdu, China in nine days, she’s told British Lacrosse’s Instagram channel that she’s really looking forward to seeing the competition in a new country and a new part of the world.

“I think I’m excited for the experience of a new country. It's actually my third The World Games, so I'm really excited to see the difference. We've had Poland, we've had America, and now we've got China, so it'll be really, really cool.”

The smaller-sided sixes version of lacrosse is played at The World Games and will also be showcased at the Olympic Games in LA in 2028 and Chandler has taken to it like a duck to water, winning four The Fly titles since 2021.

“I love it”, Chandler said, “I love how back and forth it is, how fast it is. We can never rest, which is amazing. Usually, in the 10-a-side game, you start twiddling your thumbs sometimes, whereas I can't do that in sixes. So I’m always on and always barking at players and just always seeing shots, which is so cool because I’m so involved in the game.”

Chandler has been a stalwart of the Great Britain team since its reincarnation as British Lacrosse a few years ago and she has faced several formidable opponents in that time including at last year’s Canada Super Sixes.

“Canada was amazing. We obviously went to America first, then Canada. We beat Canada and it was so, so fun. It was so intense. We had so many games in such a little amount of time, and top-quality games that you get to actually see in Canada.”

Chandler will take to the field in nine days when Great Britain play China in their opening Group A game at The World Games before playing Canada and Japan later in the competition.

For more information about the competition, click HERE.

England Lacrosse partner with expense management specialists Webexpenses

England Lacrosse is thrilled to announce a new official partnership with expense management specialists Webexpenses.

Trusted by over 2,000 finance teams in more than 70 countries around the world, Webexpenses’ easy-to-use expense management system improves expense efficiency, controls employee spend, and generates significant cost savings.

Webexpenses’ system will, ultimately, save England Lacrosse time and money as they help us to automate our current expenses system and improve the efficiency of our organisation, allowing us to focus on what really matters to us: lacrosse and growing the sport in England.

The new partnership will help our England Lacrosse staff seamlessly manage their travel and work expenses, automating reimbursement processes and providing real-time visibility into spending.

With over 25 years of experience in this field and a UK market leader, we can’t wait to get started working closely with Webexpenses.

England Lacrosse Financial Director Neil Edgar said:

“At England Lacrosse, we’re always looking for smart, efficient ways to support the game behind the scenes. Partnering with Webexpenses gives our staff access to a platform that simplifies everything from mileage tracking to expense reporting all in one place. It’s a great fit for a national governing body like ours, and we’re excited to be working with a partner that shares our commitment to innovation and efficiency.”

For more information about Webexpenses, click HERE.