England legend Laura Merrifield calls time on playing career

England and British Lacrosse star Laura Merrifield has taken the decision to retire from international lacrosse and bring to a close a career spanning over a decade at the top of the game and leave a lasting impact on the sport.

A two-time Senior World Championship medallist and two-time European champion, she amassed a total of 94 caps for England and Great Britain putting her third on the all-time appearances list for England and scoring over 150 international goals.

Merrifield was a trailblazer from early in her lacrosse career after a standout performance at the Under 19 World Championship in 2007, picking up a bronze medal and selection to the U19 All-World team earned her a full scholarship at the University of Maryland.

By then she had already established her position as one of the brightest talents in English Lacrosse, but continued to set standards and reach new heights as an English-born player playing in the US.

She went to on to win the 2010 NCAA DI National Championship and then in her senior year was named a first-team All-American, ACC Championship game MVP, and became the first Englishwoman to captain Maryland.

On the international stage she represented England at four World Championships from 2009 onwards, first being named to the All-World team at the 2013 tournament.

After the individual honours in 2013, Laura then memorably led England to a bronze medal as captain at a home World Championship in 2017, being named on the All-World team for a second time as recognition for her driving midfield performances.

After becoming a mother in early 2020, she returned to the field and earned selection for a fourth World Championship in 2022.

She and the team then went on to repeat their success following a second consecutive overtime victory against Australia in to pick up a second bronze medal on the world stage, before then being a part of the GB Sixes team at the World Games just a couple of weeks later.

Laura’s impact on the sport has been near unmatched and her achievements have inspired not only her fellow teammates, but countless young players to pursue their dreams of playing lacrosse.

She has already given so much as part of her roles in teaching and lacrosse coaching and will continue to do so as the next generations aim to follow in her footsteps.

Laura has exemplified everything that it means to represent England through her commitment, resilience and leadership both on and off the field and as a player and a person is completely fitting of the title of legend.

Thank you, Laura!