England Women’s Lacrosse News from Lacrossetalk magazine Jan 2005 England’s preparations for the World Cup are maintaining the intensity established with the summer tour Down Under. The latest round of squad building and player preparation comprised a lightning tour of the top colleges (and a couple of clubs) on the US East Coast. England Head Coach Lois Richardson takes her senior squad back to school, testing her players against the cream of America’s East Coast college teams. Much was learned, but a few lessons were taught, too. Here Lois explains how the US tour sets England up for the big exam, next year’s World Cup   I HAVE BEEN determined to prepare a group of players who can rise to every challenge on and off the pitch, under the most difficult circumstances and in the most highly charged situations. These individuals will be mentally tough, supportive and loyal, professional and completely committed. They will all be team players and their shared aspirations and vision will be as one. To this end 33 players, including many youngsters who lacked tour experience, travelled Down Under in the summer. England won the B Test series in Australia and pushed the full Australian national side ever harder throughout the final week. We conceded the final test 7–9, winning the second half 6–3. After Australia the natural next step for us was a tour of the top US colleges. Taking on these college teams would be a supreme challenge for the 25 players selected to go, and would furnish us with another benchmark as to England’s progress. Putting theory into practice Our tour of US colleges lasted 16 days and took in 16 games. Every game was hard fought. The results speak for themselves, with the England team winning 12 games. The intensity of the tour, coupled with the travel and the competition – often two games per day – should make the forthcoming World Cup seem relaxing in comparison! James Madison, Loyola, Johns Hopkins and Delaware gave us four uncompromising competitive and physical challenges, but we had decided from the outset to focus on the games against Maryland and Princeton. These are two of the best-known collegiate sides in the States. Both are famous for their consistent accumulation of victories at the highest level and both are known also as sparring partners for the American national side, which has not always beaten them! The Maryland and Princeton matches were to be floodlit games on astroturf. Upon arrival at each venue a distinct sense of excitement and expectation (and some nervousness) affected players and management alike, but as the warm-up started and the adrenaline kicked in the feeling of camaraderie and the determination to give everything for each other became quietly but clearly apparent. On and off the pitch we achieved our professional objectives, proving time and again that we are a national side to be reckoned with. The half-time scores reflected the extreme excitement of the supporters and the highly competitive nature of the play: at the half England trailed by only one goal to Maryland and were drawing 5–5 with Princeton. The physical nature of the game played by the colleges and the pre -meditated use of stick on body was something we were growing used to, and despite the peristent on- and off-ball fouls our players dug deep and refused to be riled. The defence, under the superb leadership of Alex Harle, held well, with the slides ricocheting fast and constantly repelling the American bodies. In attack the unit took on a new and greater cohesiveness than hitherto seen, with Sarah Butt, England’s co-captain, helping to set up and execute many of the plays and creativity in the perimeter. England’s shooters have a way to go to match the top Australian and American shooters, but we are learning fast and closing the gap. One minute from from the end of the Maryland game it seemed like we had the college beaten. We ended up being given a reminder of that valuable lesson, to never relax until the final whistle. The game finished honours even, a 7–7 draw. In the Princeton game we took an even share of possession but we were found wanting in the area of double teaming. The Princeton attacks made the most of this weakness and they were relieved, we believe, to finish the game eventual winners, 10–7. Next: The World Cup The US tour was highly intense and very competitive, and gave us a great opportunity to learn how to work together in a high-pressure situation. Naturally we also enjoyed taking time off together, too. Overall, the tour has enabled us to establish a new cohesiveness and to develop a team spirit of one body, one mind. I have no doubt that these people, players and management alike, are prepared to go far more than just an extra mile for each other. The competitive play we experienced in Australia and the United States has been vital and the opportunity to practice together and learn is irreplaceable. Of far greater consequence, however, is the bond that we have created and that will continue to grow stronger. It is my firm belief that this is the way forward for England. The most successful team is never simply the one with the best players; it will always be the one that is made up of selfless individuals willing to go beyond pain for each other. Finally, I must thank all the players for their wonderful commitment, help and tireless efforts. And while I don’t like to single out individuals, I do want to recognise the special input and unerring support of some of the unsung stars of the tour: the steadfastly loyal management team who accompanied us, namely Annie Richards, Sian Macrae, Nat Burley and Jo Lupton. Thank you, too, to the people who help us and support us, in so many different ways. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by me and by the England squad.