Success on both sides of the Pond!

If there is one very distinct reason for America’s success in almost every sport that they choose to participate in, it is their undeniable awareness that sport is a key to which opens many doors. Furthermore, their outstanding national, collegiate athletics programs can’t hurt either. Now, although these young American athletes are setting the standard for Lacrosse around the globe, they are not the only ones benefitting from the student athlete concept that has been developed with such success. Two rising stars of England Lacrosse, Sam Russell, and Jak Wawrzyniak have been spending time in the US preparing for there World Championship campaign.

Sam Russell has spent the past two years at Whittier College, a Division III school in California. As a sophomore he started 15 of 15 Games, scored 31 Goals, made 25 Assists, 56 Points in total, with 33 Groundballs. As far as I’m aware, these impressive stats left the England youngster in the top 5 nationally for Division III midfielders.

Although Sam played Lacrosse from a young age, the success story started at Cheadle & Marple 6th Form College, where he represented the growing lacrosse academy. Head coach at the academy, Alistair Hodgson, also assistant coach for this years England Team, saw Sam’s amazing potential as a top international player, and promptly recommended him to a close friend of his, Henry “Skip” Flannagan.

“Skip”, a Head Master at the very prestigious ‘Western Reserve Academy’ in Ohio, welcomed this student athlete with open arms. Here Sam joined the Academy as a Senior, and had an impressive season, attracting attention from an eclectic mix of colleges, earning him self the honor to represent and captain his country at the U19’s World Championships in Canada. Here he scored 19 goals as a midfielder, securing 7th top goal scorer in the championships, beating many world class attacker to the honor of top 10 statistics.

That Autumn, after much deliberation, Sam found himself at Whittier college, and why not after all, only 40 minutes from LA, a swift hour to the Beach, and only a few more from the mountains! Some might say, “you’d be stupid not to!” The developing Lacrosse program here meant that the England Skipper played 11 games in his freshman year whilst striking 16 goals and 5 assists, enough to place him 4th on the squad.

Two years at Whittier have clearly served him well, as now just a week from the World Championships he is training with the senior England squad as the second youngest player, and looking stronger than ever. However, the squad’s youngest player, Jak Wawrzyniak has an equally impressive success story...

After representing the England U19’s in Canada, Jak moved to Avon Old Farms High School where he has just finished his senior year. Here, the varsity lacrosse team enjoyed a tremendous season – one of the school’s best lacrosse teams in the past decade. The program achieved a 15-3 overall record, finishing #1 in the Founder’s League (7-0) and #3 in Western New England (13-2). Some season statistics included a winning streak of 13 games, an impressive 200 goals for, and 134 goals against. The team’s average margin of victory was 4.67 goals per game, and average margin of losing a mere 1.33 goals per game.

Jak performed so well this year at Avon, after being scouted by many top teams he has now committed to Stoney Brook University, New York, who narrowly missed out on a NCAA Division I semi-final place, losing 10-9 to Virginia.

I asked Jak: “How he was feeling about the up coming Championships in Manchester?” He replied, “I don’t really get too nervous about games or tournaments. I start getting myself ready for a big game a few days before then the nerves kick in the night before and pre-game but nerves definitely make me play better.”

He continued, “Ultimately I’m going against the best players in the world in July which is going to be a load of fun and can really only make me a better player….as crazy as the thought is of lining up against some of those guys: I’m excited to get after it!”

Both these young players have performed to the critics, proving their worth when it truly matters, and have accomplished one of the greatest honors a player can receive; representing their country at the highest level. But what makes it extra special is that they get to do it in their home town. A truly special achievement for them both. I wish them, and all those all competing the best of luck, this tournament is looking to be one of the most exciting yet.

Written by James Mearns

Information in this article has been source from Whittier College athletics, and Avon Old Farm Athletic websites.

For tickets to the championships, copy the following link in to your browser...

www.2010worldlacrosse.com/tickets

Diary of a Lacrosse Dummy: Part 1

The first time I saw a lacrosse game it was whilst watching a friend in a women’s 2^nd XI team match at Loughborough University. I remember being gobsmacked that my normally blasé and laid back friend had suddenly channelled a fierce and competitive side of herself that I had never seen before. I was surprised by how fast the game was played; it was ferocious and shockingly aggressive. There were elbows and body bumps flying all over the place but no sign of the referees whistle. Basically, it was very very exciting.

But when I went along to an men’s England lacrosse team training session I immediately noticed differences in the game. What instantly stood out between the men’s and women’s games was the outfit. The men have a lot more equipment, helmets shielding their whole heads and faces, down to the chin making them instantly unrecognisable. They also have arm and chest pads. Without seeing any of the play it was obvious the game was going to be a lot more brutal. Lacrosse is typecast by some as a women’s game but the hard-hitting and physical nature of the men’s sport is anything but girly.

It was incredible how accurately and far the players could throw the ball, the size of a slightly smaller hockey ball but just as hard. The receiving player would catch the ball whilst on the move and was already looking for his next pass. This was all taking place while other players were trying to distract the pass by shouting and running in different directions. They also had very high fitness levels.

If this was just a training session I can’t wait to watch a competitive match, especially in the World Championships. Its only 13 days until the FIL World Lacrosse Championships for men begin and teams from all over the world descend on Manchester. I knew Lacrosse was played in England obviously, as well as America and Australia but there are a lot of unexpected nations who play competitively and who will be taking part in the tournament in July. Argentina, Japan, Latvia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Spain, Poland and 23 other nations will be showcasing the sport and hopefully attracting new fans.

Whilst researching the sport a team that have really caught my imagination is the Iroquois Nationals, a collection of indigenous people from the USA who are also known as the Six Nations. They are the original creators of the sport who played for healing medicinal reasons or even to settle conflicts within the tribe. The Iroquois Nationals is the only Native American team sanctioned to compete in any sport internationally. If the inventors of the game are going to be playing in Manchester, these Championships are going to be a big deal.

Even though I don’t have a great knowledge of lacrosse I am genuinely excited to learn more and for the event to start. These Championships will be the largest major sporting event to be held in Manchester since the Commonwealth Games back in 2002. This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the area and of course there will be the buzz of excitement around the City that only sport can produce. I hope that other people who have a genuine love for sport, like me, will make the most of this opportunity to discover a new game and watch world class lacrosse teams play this exciting sport at the highest level.

By Holly Teague

LACROSSE FOR DUMMIES - Blog No 1.

Lacrosse has many similarities to both basketball and hockey. Simply put, the lacrosse team that ends the game with the most goals wins. A game clock dictates the length of the game, and scoring goals is the sole determiner of who wins and who loses. The following list offers a few of the technical essentials that you need to know to better understand the game.

• Four quarters equals a game: The length of a box or field lacrosse game is 60 minutes, which 4 quarters lasting 15 minutes each. Unless . . .

• Two halves do make a whole (game): Depending on the age and/or gender of the teams playing, variations on the length of a lacrosse game do exist. Women's lacrosse matches are divided into halves instead of quarters, and can range in length from 50 to 60 minutes. Minor league lacrosse games offer a wide variety of lengths and divisions, from 8-or 12-minute quarters to three 20-minute periods, much like a hockey contest. High-school field games have 12-minute quarters.

• Whatever the length of the game, remember that any individual contest will include at least one intermission. There's a lot of running and bumping and hitting and missing to recuperate from.

• Facing down the opposition: A faceoff at the center circle starts each game and each quarter, and it begins play after every goal scored.

• A faceoff is one of the many areas where lacrosse resembles both hockey (the only other with faceoffs) and basketball (with its jump-ball set-up at the beginning of games). In a box lacrosse faceoff, the teams surround one of the lined circles on the floor, with two players in the center of the circle awaiting the referee's whistle to being play and go for the ball. Essentially, a faceoff is an organized, if sometimes frenetic, way to initiate play at the beginning of a game, or to restart play that has been stopped for some reason (opening a new playing period, after a scored goal, in a dead-ball situation, and so on). Any game can present many faceoff opportunities, so you better be pretty good at it to have a chance of controlling the ball and therefore giving your team more scoring opportunities.

• Faceoffs in field lacrosse come at the start of each quarter and after each goal. They consist of two players at the center X and two players from each team perched on the wing area lines (20 yards from the middle of the field and 20 yards long, parallel with the sideline). Once possession is gained by one of these eight players, the rest of the players can cross the restraining lines that are perpendicular to the sideline and 20 yards from the midline.

Information sourced from www.Dummies.com

The World Cup isn’t over for England!

It’s not all over for England; they still can win a World Cup this summer.

After the England football team’s disappointing exit today, the focus of world sport moves from South Africa to South Manchester for the 2010 FIL World Lacrosse Championships.

The Championships are the biggest sporting event to come to Manchester since the 2002 Commonwealth Games. They take place from 15th to the 24th July.

So Forget Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo or Fernando Torres: when it comes to hot shots they do not come any hotter than USA Paul Rabil who holds the record for the fastest shot which clocks in at a staggering 111 MPH putting his football counterparts to shame.

England’s chances are good, coming into the tournament as reigning European Champions and being ranked amongst the top six teams in the world.

The home advantage could be a telling factor; current World Champions Canada won when they hosted the Championships in 2006 and tournament favourites USA winning on home soil in 1998.

So come on England, we can still win a World Cup!

Only 2,500 seats now remain available to the public for the World Lacrosse Championships. Season Passes and a Final Four Day Ticket Package are on sale and will secure your seat at the Final Match in addition to over 100 more World Class lacrosse matches. Day tickets are also available and are on sale at http://www.2010worldlacrosse.com/tickets

There are also few sponsorship opportunities left for those who would like to be part the FIL 2010 World Lacrosse Championships.

For further enquiries please contact James or Sarah at Made in Manchester on 0161 660 3663 or email 2010lacrosse@madeinmanchester.tv

To learn more about the 2010 FIL World Championships in Manchester, England, visit www.2010worldlacrosse.com

Notes to Editors –
The 2010 FIL World Lacrosse Championships take place between the 15th and 24th of July 2010 and promises to be the biggest Championships in Lacrosse history.

The championships will bring together over 30 different nations and 64 elite international touring sides from all over the world will compete in the first official FIL Festival from 17th-22nd July In addition to this a Community event will kick off the Championships and host local Primary, Secondary and Club teams. The 2010 World Lacrosse Championships’ website contains up to date news, and can be found at www.2010worldlacrosse.com

The FIL World Lacrosse Championships, Manchester 2010 are being delivered through a funding partnership that includes:
Manchester City Council - Following the success of the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002, Manchester has developed a worldwide reputation for hosting major international events that benefit the community by attracting visitors and investment to the city.

The event is one of two world championships coming to the City in 2010 along with the English National Badminton Championships as well as the final of the National Squash Championships.

Northwest Regional Development Agency - The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places. As part of its work to support these objectives, the NWDA works with partners to secure world-class events, which are distinctive and capable of attracting large numbers of visitors from outside the region and which significantly enhance the profile of the region.

US cavalry arrives

Just 9 months to go to 2010 World Championships!!

Such a lot to do and a lot of big decisions still to make . This weeks toughie is how many seats to put around the stadium field where all the big games will take place. We had always thought that 5,000 would be more than enough, and it probably will be for most days, but the high rate of sign up for the FIL Festival is making us think again. With 30 teams still being the planning figure for the World Championships this means that we have to find a guaranteed 1,000 seats for players, coaches, officials and VIPs. However we have neary 70 teams already registered for the Festival , and with Festival teams being offered an upgrade from their Festival pass to an all games pass that means a possible 2,000 other seats are taken , leaving only2,000 other seats for the supporters and fans. If only half the Festival players bring another person with them and the Championship players each bring one person be it family. friends or supporters than that is all the seats taken care of and there could be a scenario where Final and even Semi Final tickets do not go on general sale .

Season tickets (all game passes) have just gone on sale so the message we have to get out is buy early , not only to take advantage of the early bird discount but also to make sure you get a ticket for one of Lacrosse'e great games.

International Lacrosse is continuing to grow and only this week English Lacrosse voted to accept Mexico as the latest member of the FIL so may be they will make it to Manchester. Some of the European nations have yet to register their intention to play but we know that France (they have just played in the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh), Spain and Norway have recently taken part in international tournaments. We have heard that Argentina are holding practices and it would be good to see South American teams in action . We suspect that Costa Rica and Guatamala , who have just played their first game are not ready for top level play but maybe next time , particularly if US are confirmed as 2014 hosts.

The work still to do is prodigious amount of work to do but we have just had a new recruit in the ELA office. Sarah Oglesby has just joined us from US Lacrosse where she headed their major events team and she will probably be familiar to those who attend the Coaches Convention in Jan in US. Sarah was the lead organiser of the 2005 Women's World Cup in Annapolis and has lots of experience of big events so she will be a tremendous asset to us. We have all been telling her what a great city Manchester is so she has come to find out. If you bump into Sarah around please make her welcome and ask her about the World Championships.

The new season has just started and it is a little scary to think it will be the last before the World championships.

It feels like we have a big event on our hands!

You definitely get the feeling that we have a big event on our hands. We have often said , perhaps with a slight bit of tongue in cheek, that the FIL 2010 Men's Lacrosse World Champonship will be the biggest sports event to be held in Manchester since the Commonwealth games in 2002.



However, with over 1,000 players and officials in the Championship , around 3,000 possible entrants in the Festival, some 40,000 spectators expected and an economic impact on the region of around £7,000,000 no-one is able to tell me which event has been bigger than Lacrosse will be.



What is really exciting is that the planning figures that we worked on 4 years ago are becoming more and more realistic . We are seeing continuing growth in international Lacrosse and it is exciting to here of Costa Rica playing Guatamala , and although these two in particular will probably not make it to Manchester it is certain that there will be 26-28 teams taking part. Equally exciting is that we set a target of 64 teams in the eight Divisions of the FIL Festival and it looks very much as if that number , at least, will be achieved. With nearly 10 months to go we have 45 teams registered to play and another 18 showing serious interest. The message is clear -if you want to be part of 2010 then you need to make sure that you have secured your spot.



Since the Official Event Launch in July we now have season tickets on sale at special "early bird" discount prices ; a range of World Championship merchandise for sale on the web and travel and hotel deals available through our travel partner ATP.



The real worry is becoming that given we have a big event on our hands can we actually make it into a great event which showcases top class Lacrosse, gives every one in Lacrosse the chance to enjoy a memorable lifetime experience and make a lot of money to reinvest in the game. It certainly can be done but it will only happen if we can get more money to invest in the event from funders and sponsors and enthuse a committed team of volunteers. Over the next couple of months we will be starting a drive to recruit the volunteer team we will need and which will be the key to the success of 2010 .

We do have a really big event on our hands and with a bit of luck and an awful lot of hardwork it could be a great event.

Time flies

The speed at which the World championships are approaching is becoming terrifying.
We are now just over 10 months away and the work to be done just seems to increase.

Luckily things seem to be falling into place. Work is advancing well at the university on replacing the astro turfs . The new surfaces will be excellent and perfect for top class Lacrosse.
We are finalising the details for release of the tickets which should be before the end of the month and our travel partner ATP will be going live any time now. To mark the launch of ticket sales we will be offering a hefty discount on season tickets which are bought before 18th Oct.

There is also a growing amount of interest in the Festival with about 65% of the available entry slots already spoken for and a lot of interest from North America. The Festival could be fully subscribed by Xmas!!

We have a lot of concerns as to how the grass pitches will stand upto so many games particularly if the weather is bad (It never rains in Manchester in July!!) however during the recent deluges we have been keeping an eye on the fields at the Firs and they have really been in excellent condition-seeming to drain exceptionally well.

We are just starting our campaign for sponsorship and in this economic climate that will not be easy but we are putting togather packages for every budget from a few hundred pounds to many thousands.

The Steering Group which has been meeting for three years is planning to step up its activity which is a sure sign that things are getting hectic.

The big job at the moment is looking at the number of volunteers which will be wanted for the event -truly frightening . We are currently writing job descriptions for the many roles which will need to be done . Some will be Lacrosse specific and some will be of a more general nature and will possibly need people who have expereince of previous events and there is a strong core of M/c volunteers which is a legacy of the commonwealth Games. We need to be ready to look for our volunteer force hwen the season starts at the end of September.