Performance Lacrosse at Stowe has quickly evolved over recent years, fast becoming a top-flight destination for aspiring lacrosse stars, whether they be seeking an international career in the game, or simply enjoying participating at their own level.
We provide for all and believe the coaching structure helps players of all ability to achieve their maximum potential. As a result, our fixture list has developed into a strongly competitive program, playing some of the best girls’ schools and Universities alike, sometimes requiring some travel, however the results are extremely encouraging. We field three senior teams and five junior teams at U15 and U14 level. Although Lent is our key term, all age groups have the ability to play throughout the Michaelmas term, developing skill sets and allowing for our strong performances at every age group at the National Schools.
For our top teams, all of our fixtures are highly competitive against some of the best girls’ schools and Universities in the country. Although there is no league for lacrosse, we make sure to put out a tough schedule for every age group and enter every age group in the National Schools lacrosse tournament. In 2015, the Senior 1st XII won their division in the tournament, and in 2017 came 8th in the nation – a best ever finish for Stowe Lacrosse, having beaten eventual national champions Benenden in the pools.
As an extension to this, we now regularly have a number of girls representing at International level, including but not limited to Camilla Harvey-Scholes (Stanhope 2016) representing Wales U19, Philippa Stacey (Stanhope 2017) with England U23 touring Japan in June 2018, and Olivia Thomas (Nugent 2018) taking gold with England U20 at the 2018 European U20 Championships.
We help provide the girls with the opportunity to trial for club teams outside of school, help girls through the county and regional selections and then some on to World Cup selection.
Participation
We have a number of development and participation teams. At Stowe Lacrosse, we believe that everyone should get the opportunity to play this tremendous sport. We field a program for our senior 2nd and 3rd XIIs, as well as U15B and U14 B, C, & D in the pupils first year of Stowe Lacrosse.
Outreach
We work closely with Winchester House to develop the sport there, giving many aspiring Stoics a head start with lacrosse. Furthermore, there is a strong history of hosting taster sessions, followed by tournaments, on the South Front between several schools.
Facilities
The pupils have access to some of the best pitches in England, with all three match pitches and both practice pitches located on the South Front, with views of the extensive grounds and follies providing a backdrop which is second to none. Sports Scholars are automatically invested into the Performance Program, where they receive a weekly session with Stowe’s in-house strength & conditioning coach, as well as a weekly one-to-one with the Head of Lacrosse to discuss and plot their athletic development and personal sporting aims.
Staff
Much of our talent is home grown, and we produce highly talented lacrosse players at every level with all our teams having two members of staff coaching them during the week. We have a wealth of knowledge and talent in our coaching staff that includes former international players and coaches, all headed up by Mr Rob Ingham Clark, whose coaching highlights include Assistant Coach for Luxembourg in the 2018 Men’s World Championships, present English Universities Head Coach & South U19 Boys Head Coach. Other members of staff include Mrs. Jayne Duckett, who played for Scotland (1983-1994), including captaining the side for two world cups and winning bronze in 1986, Giles Cuddy who captained Wales Dragons (2010), South Of England and for England Box Development Squad, Kieran Garvey who played for English Universities (2018) and South East Universities (2017 & 2018) and captained the University of Kent Men’s 1st team (2017/2018) as a Sports Scholar, and Gabriella Valentine who played for Wiltshire & Dorset (2010-2012), was selected for the training squad for Centex (2010-2012), & also captained at the University of Kent Women’s 1st team (2017/2018).
Lacrosse as a Passion Some of our best results come from our lower teams. From A to C we run full fixture lists and celebrate performance, commitment and importantly passion and enjoyment. Lacrosse is a game that brings out the best in the individual behaving as a team player. We coach to develop the mind, to overcome obstacles and to make decisions, as an extension of our entire academic and pastoral programme.
Master in charge: Mr Rob Ingham Clark