MORE HISTORY MADE FOR THE ENGLAND WOMEN'S BOX LACROSSE SQUAD

This past week, the England Box Lacrosse captains were announced for the men's and women's teams heading out to the World Championships in Utica, New York. The men's captaincy went to established player who has captained England a number of times, Tom Roche, with the first women's captaincy being awarded to Annabelle Akintoye.

Not only is Akintoye the first captain of the England women's squad, but she also marks the first Black Woman to captain an England lacrosse team in any format. It's not hard to believe that it's taken until the end of 2024 for this to be realised given the racial imbalance in UK lacrosse, and it is a moment which must be recognised for what it is: an opportunity for Black lacrosse players to see themselves represented in a captaincy role at international level. 

On being named captain, Akintoye has said:

"It is an honour to even be selected to represent your country, but to go as the first Black England Captain, at the first women’s World Championships is something I never even dreamed of. Being the first to do anything can be intimidating for some, but not us. Getting to play a sport you love, for your country, is an opportunity like no other. We cannot wait to step onto the floor together and show the world what Team England is all about!"

Akintoye plays her club lacrosse in North London for Camden Capybaras who have a number of their women's rules players taking part in the inaugural tournament, and she will be joined by alternate captains Lucy Ford and Laura Beaman as they make history this September.