Q&A WITH WALES SENIOR AND U20 WOMEN'S HEAD COACH, KIERAN PEGRUM-MILNER
Learn more about the young coach who is taking the international stage by storm.
Q: How did you first get into coaching lacrosse?
A: I first got into coaching lacrosse back when I was at university. The university didn’t have a budget for a dedicated coach, and while we had some support from Brucie [David “Brucie” Morris] who would drop in occasionally, we really needed someone more consistent. That’s when I started stepping up to help run sessions, and it turned into something I wanted to pursue. My first part-time coaching roles were at TASIS school, where I worked as an assistant to Matt Bagley for the boys’ varsity team and also took on the Head Coach role for the middle school team. Around the same time, I was Head Coach for St Albans school. These roles were my introduction to the school coaching environment, which I found very rewarding. Later, I got my first full-time position at Caterham school, where I had the chance to work under Jenny Simpson, who was the head of lacrosse, and some fantastic mentors who really helped shape my understanding of lacrosse in the traditional sense, which further enabled me to adapt the style of lacrosse with my knowledge of other sports.
Q: What drew you to the sport, either as a player or a coach?
A: Coming from a background in football, hockey, and rugby, I’d played each at a decent level from a young age, so when I got to university, I was ready to explore something new. Lacrosse immediately caught my attention because it felt like a blend of all three sports I knew and loved, offering a fresh challenge. The social side of the sport was also fantastic, adding to its appeal. As a coach, I was drawn to lacrosse because of its fast-paced nature. It’s a game that demands a high level of skill, athleticism, and tactical awareness, pushing coaches and players to make quick decisions and execute strategies dynamically. This balance of athletic and mental challenges is what keeps it exciting to coach and watch develop on the field.
Q: You’ve previously coached Portugal men and are now coaching Wales women – what was the process like in getting these high-profile positions?
A: Coaching Portugal’s men’s team and now Wales’ women’s team have been very different experiences. Portugal is a developing nation in lacrosse, who are growing their player base and this is something we tried then, and I know Jeff [Childs] the current Head Coach is continuing to do so whilst Ken [Lubert] is building the women’s programme. Wales is a competitive nation that consistently punches above its weight given its size and playing population. My journey to these positions has really been about learning and growing, whether through observing others in person, engaging with resources online, or adapting my coaching philosophy along the way. I enjoy merging my lacrosse knowledge with insights from other sports and trying different approaches to see what works best. Invasion games share a lot of similarities, so it’s less about reinventing the wheel and more about refining what already exists to fit the team’s needs.
Q: This summer you’ve seen success as Head Coach for Wales U20 women at the World Championships where they finished 7th. What is the role of a Head Coach at U20 level and how do you prepare your players for such a big competition?
A: All coaching roles are multifaceted, but with such an excellent support team around—covering strength and conditioning, physio, psychology, a manager, and assistant coaches—my main aim as Head Coach was to establish a clear vision so what team we wanted to be, our playing style, and the behaviours we wanted to embody consistently. We tried our best to ensure that every session and conversation aligned with that vision, regularly checking in to assess where we were and what steps we needed to take to progress further. I think at all levels but particularly the U20 level it is important that the players could hold each other, as well as the staff, accountable to our shared goals and vision while being positive teammates who enjoyed the process. The ages that we had varied from 16-20 and I think schools can take this away, as it’s seen as challenging etc. Therefore, we decided that creating an environment where players could challenge constructively while still enjoying their experience was key to fostering a strong, resilient, and united team and I believe they showed this throughout the tournament but more importantly I hope they continue to show this in their own lives and any lacrosse going forward.
Q: You also headed to Portugal with the Wales senior women as Head Coach where they finished in an impressive 4th place. Is your role different when coaching seniors versus U20, and if so, how?
A: Yes, coaching the senior team in Portugal was unique, particularly due to when I came into the role but also moving up to senior international with players I knew but hadn’t coached. I saw my responsibility as overseeing what was happening within the team - tactically and group dynamics whilst trying to ensure that we maintained consistent standards and accountability. This role will change now we are in the build up to Japan. While there are typical differences when coaching seniors, like their greater experience at this level and understanding of the game, what made this tournament especially interesting was due to the constant evolution of the rules, Even our most seasoned players hadn’t yet competed in a European championships under these new rules. Equally it was the first qualification tournament leading into the World Cup. This dynamic created an environment where even the experienced players were adapting and learning alongside newer members of the team.
Q: As one of the youngest coaches currently on the international scene and having already proven your ability to successfully coach Sixes lacrosse with two The Fly championships under your belt, are your eyes set on the possibility of coaching at the Olympics in 2028?
A: I’m unsure on where I stand in terms of ‘young’ coaches on the international scene but Coaching at the Olympics would be an incredible opportunity, and it’s definitely something I’d love to pursue. The Fly has been a fantastic way for me to work with some of the top athletes and it is an exciting way for other athletes who may not be on the ‘radar’ to get an opportunity. Going forward, my focus is on building my skills, learning from every experience, and staying adaptable as the format evolves, so that I can continue to contribute to the sport in meaningful ways and be ready if an opportunity to help showcase lacrosse on a world stage ever comes my way.