English Lacrosse
Annual Report 2013-14
Our Vision, “Lacrosse will be recognised as a major team sport in England.�
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Message from the Chair
Contents
Welcome from the Chair of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03 English Lacrosse in Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 CEO Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05 Board Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07 Financial, HR & Governance Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09 Men’s Playing Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Women’s Playing Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Strategic Implementation & Development Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Elite Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 International Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
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Chair Welcome What a pleasure to welcome you all to our new looking annual report, which demonstrates such growth and achievements. It has been a highly successful, although also challenging, year for English Lacrosse and one of which we hope you will all be proud. Our vision, to be recognised as one of the major team sports in England is a 10 year aspiration, but all the statistics are pointing in the right direction and the hosting of two world events in 2017 and 2018, the successful sponsorship with Rathbones and longer Sue Redfern term partnership developments, as well as the deEnglish Lacrosse, Chair of the Board velopment of national facilities in Manchester and Guildford, all help to create the profile and reputation which will enhance our ability to achieve the vision. It is rare for a FIL World Event to have a title sponsor agreed and to have successfully negotiated that 3 years ahead of the event is impressive, especially in the current climate and particularly for a women’s event. Your Board, as with those of other National Governing Bodies, is in a process of transition from the former representative Executive Committee to a new style strategic and more business like Board, delegating more of the management to the professional staff and recruiting independent Board members to bring a different approach. This is not always a comfortable transition as we move out of our comfort zones into unfamiliar territories, but it is to the Board’s credit that they are choosing, as volunteers, to engage fully with this change and undertaking new national training events to assist in the process. This process of continual review, as you will see is also replicated in the work of the subcommittees and as Board Chair I am very proud of the work of the various committee chairs and senior staff and our desire to continually improve and to find new ways to strengthen the team work between the professional staff and the volunteer workforce, which is so crucial to our future. I hope as you read this report you will reflect on the exciting developments, statistics and achievements and tell other people about them. We know we need to do more with communicating our messages and look to members to help us in ways of doing this even better. There is so much good news and so many opportunities for lacrosse that we all need to be helping to raise the profile outside the sport, as well as inside it, in order to achieve our vision. My thanks go to all our volunteers, our professional staff and particularly to our new CEO, Mark Coups, for what has been a very successful year.
Sue Redfern English Lacrosse Association, Chair of the Board 03| English Lacrosse Annual Report
30%
66%
English Lacrosse in Numbers
Membership has increased by 66% to over 28,000
200,000 120%
Increase in University BUCS registered teams.
24,000
Increase in affiliated clubs.
People participate in lacrosse annually.
84%
Increase in registered volunteers.
English Lacrosse registered playing members.
England is the 1st country to successfully bid to host 2 world championships in consecutive years in 2017 and 2018
Two national lacrosse centres are being developed at both Surrey Sports Park & Manchester University. Each centre will host the 2017 Women’s World Cup and 2018 Men’s Lacrosse Championships respectivley. Corporate partnerships have been established with Rathbones Investment Group, Under Armour Apparel and Manchester City Council. *Statistics taken between the period 2009-2014 English Lacrosse Annual Report| 04
CEO Report It is my pleasure to provide an annual overview after completing my first year as your Chief Executive Officer and what an exciting year it has been for Lacrosse.
Mark Coups English Lacrosse, CEO
There has been a key theme present in the many formal and informal meetings I have held over the past year, confidence. With the Lacrosse community and wider stakeholders, time and time again discussions have reflected the need for confidence. The confidence to make the most of the huge opportunities we have at the present time to make Lacrosse a major team sport in England.
My predecessor David Shuttleworth, who retired in 2013 after 25 years as CEO, rightly deserves credit for laying the foundation down of the growing sport we enjoy today and it is our task to have the confidence to build on this legacy over the next decade. In order to build on the legacy, as a sport and individuals, we have to think, act and deliver differently than in the past. I have spoken to staff and volunteers about the level of professionalism required when presenting and delivering our sport now and in the future so that we can exploit the increasing number of opportunities available to Lacrosse as a result of the work achieved in the past. These conversations have been very well received and our presentation and delivery has been enhanced. As is so often the case, our opportunities do not present themselves without challenges that must be addressed. Lacrosse has three significant challenges, a) continuing growth, b) 2 Senior World Events and c) increasing demands of volunteers and staff to administer, service and resource the sport. These challenges need to be met in a landscape of shrinking central governmental resources and the requirement of doing more with less. As this annual report testifies, the sport is continuing to grow at a significant rate, geographically, institutionally and numerically. Growth in Lacrosse is our key strategic priority. To achieve this we must all make the most of enhanced opportunities, ensure that delivery in all areas is of the highest quality possible and maintain the enthusiasm required to motivate others to enjoy our fantastic game. That being said, there is a pressure to develop our service and we must understand that the pressure on our volunteers and staff to assist in this will be great and only with a co-ordinated, supportive approach can we build on the success achieved during the last 5 years. The geographical growth in the sport, driven by the University Lacrosse ‘INTO Lacrosse’ programme, is providing an increased number of recreational Lacrosse clubs. These clubs, such as Falmouth, make the sport truly national for the first time.
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They must be embraced and nurtured, along with our more established clubs, therefore creating a long-term foundation for providing a significant base for the expansion of the sport in the long term. English Lacrosse now has 28,000 members, 100% increase in the last 5 years and it is expected that the number will double again. The membership now includes over 20,000 playing members with the majority being aged 18 to 24 and the sport has 250,000 people with a lacrosse stick in their hands each year. The sport has a significant challenge to provide the various formal and informal playing opportunities for these individuals to play as well as continuing to develop new participants. The awarding of both the 2017 Women’s World Cup and the 2018 Men’s World Championship during the last year is a proud moment for Lacrosse in England, as no other sport has previously been successful in hosting back to back World Cups the UK. The confidence displayed by the international community in awarding us these two World events is extremely pleasing and we must make the most of the opportunities these events provide. I am delighted to announce that our partner sponsor Rathbones Brothers Plc will be the title sponsor for the 2017 Rathbones FIL Women’s World Cup and negotiations are in progress about securing a title sponsor for the 2018 Men’s World Championships. The task of organising, administering and developing the two championships should not be underestimated, however, working together and accessing as much support from inside and outside the game as possible we are confident that Lacrosse in England can deliver 2 memorable World Class events. The increasing demands placed on both volunteers and staff has to be acknowledged and their work is to be praised. During the past year I have been working hard to ensure that volunteers are consulted with and listened to, enabling staff to tailor the support required. I have also encouraged volunteers to communicate with staff on a regular basis to improve the knowledge of the successes, issues and barriers faced at a local, regional and national level. This is a start of a conversation and I strongly believe that communication is everyone’s responsibility and I will continue to encourage regular and open dialogue. In successfully meeting the demands of growth and the delivery of 2 World events staff and volunteers must work seamlessly and confidently together. I would like to thank the Chair, Board members and staff for all their hard work and support during the past year, it has been greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank all of you that perform volunteer and professional roles in organising, administering and servicing the sport, because without your help we will not succeed.
Mark Coups English Lacrosse Association, CEO English Lacrosse Annual Report| 06
Board Report Key Objectives of the Committee
Key Aims of the Committee
1. Financial reporting and monitoring significantly improved; Financial Manager appointed; Financial officer recruited.
1. To realign the Board from an historically operational role to a strategic role.
2. Enterprise Board set up; Managing Director appointed. 3. Recruitment of independent Board members out to tender and job role agreed. 4. Roles and responsibilities of Chair/CEO agreed; Board away day with facilitator to progress other issues; Action plan to progress move to strategic board agreed.
2. To ensure improved financial management of English Lacrosse, including the implementation of the Enterprise Company and setting up of its Board. 3. To establish an effective combined men’s and women’s performance structure led by a senior member of staff. 4. To progress recruitment of additional independent Board members. 5. To review Board member roles, responsibilities and development.
The English Lacrosse Board is in the process of transition from an historical game representative Executive Committee to a new style business and strategic Board. This process has consumed a considerable amount of time over the last 12 months and Board members have had some challenging times considering the implications of changes to roles and responsibilities, the purpose and remit of the Board itself, and moving more decision making and responsibility to the Executive paid staff. 2013/14 was also the first year for our new Chief Executive Officer which has provided an impetus for a fresh approach and review of the ways in which Board members can and should work with the senior staff of English Lacrosse and how communications can be improved between staff and the Board. We have reinvigorated invitations to senior staff to present to the Board on strategic issues relating to their area of work and to have subsequent discussions with the whole Board. This will now be an ongoing regular activity. Board members have for some time been seeking improved financial reporting and monitoring and this has also been a significant focus for its work over the last 12 months. In particular the board has had a number of discussions on the appropriate level of financial staff that should be employed by English Lacrosse to achieve the desired outcomes.
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During the year an external consultant was employed to assist in these matters. Board members have been involved in the recruitment of the new financial staff. The English Lacrosse 10 year strategy has been reviewed and updated and a qualitative monitoring system has been agreed. The setting up of the Enterprise Board is still in its infancy and there are ongoing discussions about how the two Boards need to interact and what activities will pass through the Enterprise Board. As the key role for the Enterprise Company is to find alternative ways of raising money for English Lacrosse the relationship between the two sets of staff and the two Boards is essential, particularly with two major world events being hosted in England in the coming years. A number of Board members have now attended a two day Institute of Directors (IOD)/Sport and Recreation Alliance (S&RA) course for Directors of National Governing Bodies. All Board members were invited to a half day facilitated workshop to help us in the transition to a more strategic/business Board, which was well received by those present and it has now been agreed to make this an annual whole day event. In addition to this the Board has agreed to an annual planning workshop with all senior members of English Lacrosse staff.
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Finance Governance & Human Resources Report Key Objectives of the Committee
Key Aims of the Committee
1. Financial information improved and enhanced.
1. Provide enhanced financial information to the board, staff and the committee.
2. Professional finance staff recruited.
2. Recruit and employ professional financial management for the organization.
3. Introduced a new budget format for the 2014 – 15 financial year. 4. Introduced new contracting, staff handbook and appraisal system for all staff.
3. Provide a new budget format for the organisation. 4. Revise, agree and implement a new Human Resource structure for the organisation. 5. Ensure that the organisation delivers a strong end of year position.
The committee has three significant tasks to complete during the year. The committee needed to analyse the financial management of the organisation and the information required to ensure that it was fit for purpose, having made the decision to not out source our finances during the 2012/13 year. The committee also needed to develop its financial planning, especially considering the new funding agreement with Sport England for the 2014 to 2018 period and the successful bids to host 2 World Championships. Finally, the organisation’s Human Resources needed to be improved and take into account a larger workforce working to more up to date practices. The financial management of the organisation was assessed by the committee on receipt of the 2012-13 audit report. The committee, working with the auditors, identified the requirement for an auditor level financial secondment to work inside English Lacrosse to understand the companies’ requirement for financial information, processes and procedures. The secondment from Beever and Struthers, working with the committee and the CEO, identified the staffing required to deliver the information, process and procedures once they were established. The secondment was undertaken in September 2013 and continued until 31st of March. New systems were agreed and implemented, policies and procedures were reviewed and developed and financial information was produced in a more timely and digestible way. The committee identified during this period of time that high level financial management staff
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were required for English Lacrosse in the future and recruitment was undertaken to employ a senior Finance Manager. This has been completed and new staff will start in June 2014 to undertake the roles. The enhancement of the financial information also highlighted the need to develop our budget setting process, which would to assist in the expansion of the business and in maximising the resources available to support the growth of the game. This has now been completed, with the help of all the committees, and a new budget is now in place for 2014 – 15. A four year projection for all funded activities has also been developed. The committee completed a review and realignment of English Lacrosse’s human resource system for staff. To assist with this task SHE:Q Consultancy was engaged to provide advice and support. The review addressed the need to develop a new system of contracting staff, development of improved job descriptions and person specifications, a new staff handbook and an improved appraisal system. All of these tasks have now been completed. The committee has also been addressing the overall staffing requirements for the organisation in the future, taking into account levels of government and non-government funding and the current staff have been informed that a restructure will be taking place during the 2014 – 15 year. Finally, the committee has been considering its own role, taking into account that professional employed staff now undertake both the financial and human resource functions in head office. Proposals on the future of the committee are being discussed for implementation in the next 12 months. N.B. To date audited figures for the year 1st April 2013 - 31st March 2014 have not been released by Beever and Struthers, English Lacrosse’s auditors. Audited accounts will be available for the 2014 AGM on the 22nd June.
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Committee Reports
Men’s Playing Committee Report Key Objectives of the Committee 1. Running men’s lacrosse through the respective League Organisations and Regions. 2. FIL rule changes adopted and introduced in September 2013. 3. Selection of Referees and Assessors to officiate at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships (WC2014) this July completed. 4. Embryonic National Club Championship with associated Youth event set up for June 2014. 5. Officials training programme – 11 courses delivered with 128 attendees.
MPC’s primary role is the organization of men’s Lacrosse through the respective League Organisations, Sub and Regional Committees. Organisation The setup of the North West Lacrosse Association (formed from the merger of Cheshire and Lancashire). Youth There is still a need to establish a Youth Strategy group. Rule Changes The FIL rule changes were adopted and introduced in September 2013. The recommendation is that the new Unified Field dimensions come into effect on 1st September 2015. Work has commenced on the next round of rule changes for presentation to the FIL General Assembly Meeting in Denver in July. European Club Championship £1500 was allocated to support the clubs competing in the European Club Championship (Ken Galluccio Cup) held in Ghent. Spencer is to be congratulated for winning the Championship and Stockport finished in 3rd position. The England bid to host the 2014 Championships was unsuccessful and the championship will be held in Ghent again. Policy Manual The Policy Manual has continued to be extended to include relevant policies and procedures so that these are documented in one place and on the web site. The main item of consideration this year has related to Disciplinary matters and clearly this will need further attention.
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Disciplinary Matters The 2013 Iroquois Cup encountered a number of difficulties in terms of behaviour in the match. Subsequent investigations highlighted the need for guidance to be given to Clubs and Officials. It was noted that a Code of Conduct needed to be introduced. National Event Officials assignments will now be made by the Referees and Rules Committee. Discipline Rules and Procedures Discussions with the League organisations to establish a common penalty for expulsion fouls has not as yet reached agreement. It will be proposed that for BUCS games and Tournaments that an expulsion fouls will result in a two game ban. National Club Championship John Sharples and David Shuttleworth, have taken note of players, clubs and administrators views of the existing Iroquois Cup and Wilkinson Sword structures. This, together with support from Manchester City Council for a National Club Championship, has led to a revision of the Iroquois Cup with the pilot event taking place in June. Budget provision has been made to support travel for Southern-based teams. World Championship 2014 Denver Selection of Referees and Assessors from England officiate at the FIL World Lacrosse Championships in Denver in July. The selection process has been robust with all candidates receiving a minimum of five on-field assessments as well as a fitness test. 11 Referees and 3 Assessors have been selected. English Lacrosse Referees Training Programme 11 Level 1 and 2 training courses delivered. 128 candidates have completed the course. 124 sat the Level 1 exam with109 passes (pass rate of 88%), 4 sat the level 2 exam with a 100% success. Universities Entries increase year on year in the BUCS, there are currently 76 teams, from 61 Universities (88 from 73 with Scotland and Wales included). New entries include Bradford, Coventry, Kings College, Surrey, UCL 2nds and UWE- Bristol 2nds.
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Women’s Playing Committee Report Key Objectives of the Committee
Key Aims of the Committee
1. South East Region continues to thrive and develop. The new style league structure was successfully introduced in the South West. The junior game in the North is developing well.
1. To embed the new regional structure and revitalise the club game.
2. The review of WPC roles and responsibilities was completed and a new way of operating the WPC committees was successfully introduced.
3. To successfully implement the WPC events programme.
2. To review the performance of the WPC Committees and ways of operating.
4. To introduce the Super League.
3.The Development of the Super League, including recruitment of the teams and marketing of the event was completed in time for the first weekend. 4. All WPC championship events were held, with strong support from the players, despite the weather!
WPC, its Sub and Regional Committees are suffering from a lack of volunteers to support the development and organisation of the women’s game. As a result, WPC reviewed the way it operated and identified two committees, Rules and Umpiring and National Events,that needed to operate differently. The National Events Committee was disbanded and the responsibility for the organisation of the events was divided between two members of WPC, whose role is to work with the Regions and those commissioned to deliver the events. This worked well and will continue next season. The review of Rules and Umpiring resulted in the agreement that responsibility for the development of umpires would transition to HO and WPC would remain responsible for the deployment of umpires for WPC events and for the rules of the game. The four major events for which WPC are responsible are the Senior Regionals, Junior Regionals, NUCCs and the National league Championships. WPC Events & Winners Senior Regional Tournament: A – South East, B – South West Junior Regional Tournament: A – South West, B – South West NUCCs - Oxton National League Championships - Oxton
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The season has been a successful one on the field for our umpires with eight individuals resident in England being selected to either umpire or attend as Technical Delegates at the 2013 World Cup in Canada. A Level 3 course was held at the Junior Regional Tournament and was a sell-out. The introduction of a requirement of a Level 2 rating or higher to umpire in the higher divisions at National Schools, saw the standard of umpiring rise and, for the first time, the three umpire system was used at the U19A Tournament. Season 2013-14 welcomes the women’s Lacrosse Super League. It was a key recommendation of the competitive review undertaken by WPC in 2010, and this summer it begins on the next stage in its journey. The demand for places in the Super League franchises was overwhelming, with more than 160 players registering in hope of a place. The lucky 90 players have been drafted into the 4 franchises, Northern Storm, Warwick Mavericks, London Royals and Surrey Jets. They will travel the country playing in a 4 tournament series starting in Warwick on the 18th May and culminating with a finals weekend on the 6th of July at Surrey Sports Park, where the inaugural Super League Champions will be crowned. WPC decided to focus its budget on supporting the Regions for development of the club game and other activities. In addition, we supported the organisation of our events, administration of the Committees and the participation of Oxton at the European Club Championships, which they won for the second time in a row. South West Region Our key objective last season was to regenerate club level Lacrosse in the South West. With the help of development funding from English Lacrosse, we implemented a new league structure consisting of monthly tournaments at a central location (which still involves an average of two hours’ travelling each way for the majority of clubs). This was largely successful and feedback from the clubs has been good. We have started the payment of coaches for both junior and senior teams and whilst we had no difficulty finding coaches for the junior teams, it was difficult to find coaches for the senior teams and once again numbers at senior trials were poor. For the forthcoming season 2014-2015 we will continue to invest in the SW league to consolidate the new league structure and also aim to help new / struggling clubs with funding if needed. We will also look at the senior regional structure to ensure a more successful season.
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Women’s Playing Committee Report South East Region In 2013/14 we saw a growth in number of women’s clubs for first time in 25 years in the South East. Previously fluctuating around the 17 mark we are now at 23 and holding! South East also hosted an ideas sharing sessions for all SE clubs allowing clubs old and new to share information. Clubs were proactive in bringing to the table information on their successes and where needed in bringing a constructive list of issues to be discussed. We have successfully engaged with all our South East Universities via Facebook and Twitter and in most instances are now communicating with these on a reasonably frequent basis. The South East also produced a club guide for university leavers to encourage them to find clubs post university. Sadly due to weather the planned new U18’s schools tournament did not go ahead but this will be pursued in the 2014/15 season. Hosted at Caterham the first South East Junior Rally was held with 5 x U13 teams and 4 x U15 teams battled through the rain to crown Caterham champions in both age groups. Alongside the event we hosted a Level 1 Umpires Course attended by 23 people. Only a few of its 288 fixtures went un-played this season, a huge achievement in a season plagued by weather. Centaurs successfully defended their title as Premiership Champions. Division 1 adopted a new format to allow for the growth in entries and as such also offered a reduced amount of travel for teams. A North/South split was put in place across the region with 6 teams in each division. Final play-off matches were then hosted to bring the 2 divisions back together with final over-all standing as one division. Congratulations to Reading and Reigate for winning their individual divisions and to Reading for taking the main title as winners of Division 1. Our annual favourites the Indoor tournament and South East Clubs and Colleges Tournaments, went ahead and Congratulations to Putney for taking both titles.
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North Region North women’s lacrosse had a mixed season and key objectives for the Region have been successful in some areas and not so good in others. A new league structure saw the original two tier system being replaced by a single Senior League. This was due to the loss of three clubs within the Region, one moved to the South West and the other two have folded. The new league system has been successful and a home and away fixture set-up has seen more regular Saturday afternoon Lacrosse. The Revival of an historic County Competition was well received, and whilst this was meant to be a “ trial run“, it was so successful that this event will become part of the annual fixture list within the region. At Junior level the County competitions have continued to thrive and likewise the Regional programme has worked. Finding volunteer coaches, managers, umpires and volunteers is an ever-increasing problem. However in the forthcoming season 2014/15, we will be able to financially support our regional coaches and management at both junior and senior level. A concerted effort is required to encourage more newcomers to take up officiating roles and we plan to put together a plan to aid this. Although only one Club from the Region entered NUCCS this season, they won.
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Strategic Implementation & Development Board Key Objectives of the Committee
Key Aims of the Committee
1. Achieved Sport England WSP Targets, EL rated Green with Sport England including overall increase in participation of 21%.
1. Implement the 2013-14 Participation Action Plan which supports the delivery of the EL 10 year strategy and 2013-17 Whole Sport Plan.
2. Robust assessments completed of EL strategy and delivery including; Volunteer Development, Marketing & Communications and Player Life-cycles. 3. Completed the modernisation of the committee structure with key stakeholders represented including Universities, County Sport Partnerships, Armed forces, Clubs and Workforce. 4. Increased the number of deployed area officers in new geographic areas from 5 to 10. 5. Oversee investment into local development programmes in clubs and universities through the minor grants system.
2. Provide a forum linking staff with lacrosse volunteers and partners to inform strategic delivery. 3. Analyse key evidence to gain insight and inform strategic delivery to increase participation. 4. Provide a check and challenge forum to ensure investment is aligned to impact. 5. Continue the transition of the committee from a delivery orientated group Technical Committee) to a strategic group.
The SID Committee provides a key role in supporting the Senior Management Group in planning of the strategic programmes to deliver the requirements of the Whole Sport Plan and 10 year strategy. SID has continued to evolve and develop its strategic function from the previous Technical Committee and continues to ensure that its membership reflects the whole game, by engaging with internal experts and relevant national partners. This provides a robust position for SID to contribute to the aims and objectives of English Lacrosse. In particular, during the past year the Committee has supported strategy development to increase lacrosse participation in the following areas: Clubs (Male/Female): 3% growth in registered club sections. Universities: 10% growth in registered BUCS teams, 3000 new students participating and partnerships established with 45 universities through ‘INTO Lacrosse’, study completed investigating behaviours of university leavers and their motivations to continue to play Lacrosse post university. Workforce Development (Volunteering, Coaching, Officiating, Skills): 14% increase in registered volunteers and development of ‘Get Involved’ – a strategic overview of volunteering. Uniformed services: Help for Heroes project established and currently being developed to support overarching inclusion plan. SID is delighted English Lacrosse has achieved all the associated Sport England targets and is looking forward to building on this success supporting the growth of Lacrosse. 19| English Lacrosse Annual Report
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Elite Performance Committee Report Key Objectives of the Committee
Key Aims of the Committee
1. England Women’s Review of World Cup adopted and used for future development.
1. Alignment of the Men’s and Women’s game at Elite level.
2. England Talent Pathway released.
2. Professionalism of the senior elite squads.
3. Team England reporting schedule developed.
3. Establishment of and support to the Talent Pathway – structure and workforce.
4. Improved budget planning and management.
4. Production of information to support the development of the game in the elite pathway.
5. First draft of playing syllabus completed.
The newly formed Performance Committee has brought together the men’s and women’s elite games in a more coherent sense than previously. The group has become more strategic in its thinking whilst dealing with the operational realities of elite programmes in transition. Executive staff have been appointed to manage delivery in this crucial area of the associations work. Representation on the committee has meant that both the women’s game and men’s game have had an equal voice. With the appointment of an experienced National Talent Development Manager a clear focus was given to the work. This has had a significant impact in the coordination of the strategy. The first focus area was the women’s game as Team England had recently completed the World Cup 2013. A comprehensive review was carried out with all the participants, management, and sports science in the lead up to and the playing of the world cup and this information would then confirm and initiate the way forward for the women’s talent and elite programmes The findings of the review were presented back to all key elements of the game. From this the ‘big picture’ was ascertained and this would further drive the development of the Talent Pathway and support to the National teams. Raising the bar across all aspects of performance preparation will be crucial and the key to this delivery will be coaching and coach development. To this end Phil Collier has been appointed to
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Women’s Team Director and also to carry out a coach mentoring project within the talent pathway A comprehensive review of the men’s game will commence following the World Championships 2014. A revised Talent Pathway model was presented in April 2014 and this will form the bedrock for future development, (See, Fig. A). The pathway will be supported by the player curriculum, which will provide a key link between: 1. Talent 2. Participation 3. Workforce development Fig. A
Talent Pathway Team England Lacrosse
World Games/Cup European Champs. Home Countries Tours Touring Teams
England Squad
European Champs. Home Countries Touring Teams
Development Squad
U19 World Games/Cup Home Countries Touring Teams Tours
U19 England Squad
Assessment / selection by appointed England Coaches
England Representation
U17-U19 National Academy
Regional Academy
English Universities
Assessment by Regional coaches entry by Identification
Entry by nomination from teachers, coaches using the produced talent identification and criteria sheet
Clubs & Schools
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International Report The European Lacrosse Federation (ELF) now has 22 members with Russia, Estonia, Ukraine in the pipeline and possibly Greece and Romania in the futures. English Lacrosse bid to host the 2014 Ken Galluccio Cup (European Club Championship) but were unsuccessful and the event will be held in Ghent, Belgium in September. English teams won the 2013 event and Oxton (Women’s) and Spencer (Men’s) are to be congratulated. The ELF at its AGM in June last year agreed to split the European Championship with the next Women’s to take place in 2015 and the Men’s in 2016. Both the Czech Republic and Israel submitted bids to host in 2015 and by a very narrow margin the membership voted in favour of Prague, Czech Republic. The bid process for 2016 is expected to commence later this year. The ELF President resigned during the year to take up the position of President of the German Lacrosse Association and the position is still open. Team England competed in the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Cup in Oshawa, Canada in July 2013 finishing in fourth position. At the FIL Women’s Sector meeting discussion were held on the Rules, the role of Technical Delegates, the International Travel Card procedure and change of countries with proposal going forward to the FIL General Assembly in July of this year. Scotland gave a presentation publicising the 2015 Women’s Under 19 World Championship and Jan Kiddle, Organiser of the 2017 Women’s World Cup being held at Surrey Sport Park, Guildford was introduced to the meeting. The Men’s World Championship, being held in Denver, USA in July, has had a number of issues to consider in relation to whether the Iroquois Nationals (IN) or Germany would be in the top (Blue) division. The end result is that the Iroquois Nationals are in the top division and FIL are dealing with subsequent repercussions. Throughout these deliberations English Lacrosse has supported the position of the FIL Board of Directors.
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