ENGLAND’S participation offered a unique opportunity for most of its players to experience lacrosse on the world stage. The team’s success can be attributed directly to the players, coaches, managers and trainers. Sponsorship from the Man Group, BBC Worldwide and STX, as well as Centurions Lacrosse and a number of individuals, played a significant role in enabling England to field such a competitive team.

England’s offence was led by Lewis Ratcliff (NLL Calgary Roughnecks), who was named to the All-World Team and led the tournament in goals and points. Ratcliff’s performance will almost certainly elevate him to the ranks of the best players ever to have donned the England uniform. Ratcliff was joined in the top five tournament point scorers by team mates Jason Clark (third) and Shawn Cable (fifth). At the other end of the floor, Matthew Roik (NLL Philadelphia Wings) backstopped the defence with a spectacular display of goalkeeping ability.

Due to the immaturity of the indoor game in England, most of the box lacrosse experience was fielded by the Canada-based members of the team. But the Englandbased players demonstrated a natural affinity for the indoor game and rose to the occasion. Team captain David Leach (Hampstead LC) played an impressive tournament, capitalizing on many scoring opportunities. Stalwart defensemanAlan Keeley (Spencer LC) proved size is no obstacle by stifling numerous offensive threats.

Head Coach Chris Hall played a crucial role in preparing and guiding the team through a pre-tournament training camp and throughout the event. Coach Hall proved his extensive knowledge and experience of lacrosse through classroom instruction, training sessions and games. Assistant Coach and Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame member, Jim Meredith, was instrumental in coordinating the team’s offence.

Throughout the tournament England’s trainers Steve Cluney (Purley LC), Greg Hart and Lisa Hoffart (both NLL Calgary Roughnecks) were second to none. They performed the challenging task of maintaining the players’ health and fitness and of treating the inevitable injuries that accompanied the rigorous ordeal of playing eight games over a period of 10 days.

The 2007 WILC provided a valuable opportunity to provide exposure of the indoor game to lacrosse players and fans around the world. Several games were broadcast in North America, Europe and Asia, with an estimated global viewing audience of more than 1.5 million over the course of the event. The event almost certainly will have raised awareness of the game in England and of players like Ratcliffe and Leach. The question we must ask now is, where do we go from here?

If England had not so dramaitically exceeded expectations, perhaps we would not be asking this question. However, considering all that was achieved (within the financial, time and personnel constraints) and the level of interest generated, the possibilities to build on this success are apparent.

To build on this success, the indoor game must be developed at a grassroots level. An ideal scenario would see the establishment of drop-in games, evolving over time into leagues. This can happen through individual initiatives and coordination by the ELA.

The next World Championships are four years away, in 2011. It is important for the next England team that it be able to draw more of its squad from England-based players. This is not to say that we won’t need our Ratcliffs or Roiks – but there must certainly be more Leaches and Keeleys out there who are willing to give this game a go.