ENGLAND SENIOR MEN: A TEAM AT A CROSSROADS

Among the men’s international lacrosse teams in the UK and Ireland, England stands out as both the most promising and the most scrutinised. Despite being packed with talented individuals, the England men’s programme has long been weighed down by external perception, shaped by past controversies that continue to colour their reputation on the world stage. As the team prepares to return to competitive international play this July at the European Championships in Wrocław, Poland, all eyes will be on them - not just for their performance on the field, but for how they present themselves as a programme moving forward.

England’s notable history in international lacrosse dates back to the mid-to-late 20th century, when the World Lacrosse Championship featured only four teams: the USA, Canada, Australia, and England. For years, they remained underdogs in this elite company. The addition of the Haudenosaunee in 1990 created new competition, offering England its first real opportunity to break through. Japan’s entry in 1994 further expanded the field, and by 1998, the tournament had grown enough that England found themselves slipping in the rankings for the first time in decades, finishing fifth out of 11 nations. Since then, England and Japan have battled for that elusive fourth spot, with Australia also proving to be a consistent roadblock.

The 2023 World Championships in San Diego presented a difficult challenge for England. Off-field complications disrupted their preparations, and these struggles were evident in their performances. The team ultimately finished sixth - one spot lower than they entered the tournament - despite flashes of brilliance from a new generation of players. While some viewed the event as a tournament to forget, others saw it as a crucial learning experience, offering England’s younger players a taste of elite competition and a chance to shape the future of the programme. And there’s no denying the potential that lies within this next generation, with the likes of Hugo Peel more than proving why he was the first choice to replace an injured squad member, even with a number of years of U20 eligibility still to go. Fellow attacker Drew Bickerton made his senior debut on the World stage at this tournament, putting his name on the map after finishing the tour being named England’s third-highest goal scorer; only falling short of Sean Goldsmith and Christian Scarpello, both of whom are based in the USA. In the midfield, young face-off specialist Daniel Madeley put up a great fight against some of the best professional face-off men in the world, coming away with a 25% win rate for his first senior World Championship.

But, change came swiftly in the wake of San Diego. Continue reading…