Firstly, really sorry about that awful pun. It's a lot harder than you think to come up with a sentence including the word Beanz. Moving on from that, meet Carl "Beanz" Maitland, a UK lax demi-god of epic proportions. He's going to be playing in the festival surrounding the Worlds that is so very close to starting. We thought we'd have a word with him to hear about his story, where he's "Beanz" and how he got there... ok, we'll stop it now.
TopJLax: Hey Beanz, welcome to TopJLax, how are you doing today?
Beanz: I’m great mate, thanks for having me!
TopJLax: No problem, thanks for joining. It seems to us like you've been in and around the UK lax scene for a while now, so tell us, when and where did you first get involved in the sport?
Beanz: I first got involved at University, Gloucestershire to be precise. It was established in 1996 so when I joined in 2006 it was well under way and knew exactly how to develop freshers! Having a good coach (Andrew Dillon) and good experienced players around me especially Alex Smith (St Mary’s MD) made me the player I am today.
TopJLax: It certainly does pay off having an experienced core around you to learn from. Can you remember your experience of your first competitive game, what was it like, and were you dumped on your ass at all?
Beanz: Sure, my first game was against Canterbury, we won by about 20 goals thanks to a couple of Americans and one from me. I definitely got taken out, a long pole if I remember rightly... straight to Big Jim and the twins!
TopJLax: Wow that seems painful, amazing you are the stud you are today with a knock like that. Lesson to everyone new, a box is the way to go. So after Gloucester you recently made the transition of heading to play for Wilmslow LC, what prompted that move?
Beanz: After moving back home from Uni I of course wanted to carry on playing- I definitely got the Lax bug-so the obvious place was Wilmslow being only 30 mins away! They are one of the best Northern teams around so I knew I was in good hands.
Beanz: I’m great mate, thanks for having me!
TopJLax: No problem, thanks for joining. It seems to us like you've been in and around the UK lax scene for a while now, so tell us, when and where did you first get involved in the sport?
Beanz: I first got involved at University, Gloucestershire to be precise. It was established in 1996 so when I joined in 2006 it was well under way and knew exactly how to develop freshers! Having a good coach (Andrew Dillon) and good experienced players around me especially Alex Smith (St Mary’s MD) made me the player I am today.
TopJLax: It certainly does pay off having an experienced core around you to learn from. Can you remember your experience of your first competitive game, what was it like, and were you dumped on your ass at all?
Beanz: Sure, my first game was against Canterbury, we won by about 20 goals thanks to a couple of Americans and one from me. I definitely got taken out, a long pole if I remember rightly... straight to Big Jim and the twins!
TopJLax: Wow that seems painful, amazing you are the stud you are today with a knock like that. Lesson to everyone new, a box is the way to go. So after Gloucester you recently made the transition of heading to play for Wilmslow LC, what prompted that move?
Beanz: After moving back home from Uni I of course wanted to carry on playing- I definitely got the Lax bug-so the obvious place was Wilmslow being only 30 mins away! They are one of the best Northern teams around so I knew I was in good hands.
Photo from Sawyer Photographic
TopJLax: Wimslow, being a historically "established" lacrosse club in the north, must be pretty different to a "University set-up" in the South. Would you agree?
Beanz: Universities are learning, quickly, but the biggest difference is the training and coaching. It involves so much more intensity, technical ability and depth of knowledge. At Wilmslow I am learning all the time, and I'm playing in a completely new level/type of lax I never expected and as a result I fell even more in love with it!
TopJLax: Beanz, we at TopJLax don't think that's possible, you surely can't be more of a lax fanatic than before? So beyond Wilmslow you've also been involved in the Scotland set-up for a while - what has that experience been like and how can they expect to do at the Worlds?
Beanz: The experience has been amazing, playing at that level, against international teams is where any player should aim to be. There is a lot of expectation both internally and externally to achieve at the Worlds. Im expecting top 10 at least but I know the main aim is Playoffs and to turn a few heads.
TopJLax: Well you certainly turn our heads every time you crank at the goal Beanz, for sure. The other team we often see you pull on the jersey for is Gin 'N Juice, - we saw you play at Blues and it seemed to us that you dominated that final. What tips would you give to any youngsters who wanted to pull on a Juice jersey in the future?
Beanz: Universities are learning, quickly, but the biggest difference is the training and coaching. It involves so much more intensity, technical ability and depth of knowledge. At Wilmslow I am learning all the time, and I'm playing in a completely new level/type of lax I never expected and as a result I fell even more in love with it!
TopJLax: Beanz, we at TopJLax don't think that's possible, you surely can't be more of a lax fanatic than before? So beyond Wilmslow you've also been involved in the Scotland set-up for a while - what has that experience been like and how can they expect to do at the Worlds?
Beanz: The experience has been amazing, playing at that level, against international teams is where any player should aim to be. There is a lot of expectation both internally and externally to achieve at the Worlds. Im expecting top 10 at least but I know the main aim is Playoffs and to turn a few heads.
TopJLax: Well you certainly turn our heads every time you crank at the goal Beanz, for sure. The other team we often see you pull on the jersey for is Gin 'N Juice, - we saw you play at Blues and it seemed to us that you dominated that final. What tips would you give to any youngsters who wanted to pull on a Juice jersey in the future?
Beanz: Summer lax is all about the fun, so just do that, always enjoy yourself, bring out the tricks but most of all play by the Juice code…..
TopJLax: You're going to be playing up at the Worlds...but I'm sure you'll have a bit of time to be a spectator too. Which pro player/team are you most excited to see?
Beanz: For me it’s the Iroquois Nationals, (if they make it here - Visa trouble we hear) they invented the game, they have a different style and a passion that just outdoes others. I'm also looking forward to seeing Paul Rabil - he has everything, strength, speed, vision, a world record shot but most importantly great flow!
TopJLax: Your playing involvement at the Worlds has been in part funded by "Express Electronics" how did they get involved?
Beanz: Express Electronics, a huge thank you to them and their support. It is mainly my Managing director, Alex Devey , who has a passion for supporting Lacrosse. He has strong links to the states and enjoys watching the fastest game on two feet.
TopJLax: Good on them, we'll put a link up to them as a company who supports UK laxers. Finally, a word about your weapon of choice ... what head do you play with and how do you like it strung?
Beanz: I'm currently rocking a Brine E3 on a STX Sci Ti, it's great for facing off. I love soft mesh with loads but not too much whip. 1 Nylon, 1 straight hooter and a U holder. I can only bring it out in the summer though, crap English weather. (You should see the mud in winter).
TopJLax: It's been a pleasure Beanz, as ever. Stay fresh, play hard, and keep doing your electronic thing. For everyone out there, you can catch Beanz playing at this weekends Lacrosse tournament in Manchester (in case you haven't heard about it, it's kind of a big deal).
TopJLax: You're going to be playing up at the Worlds...but I'm sure you'll have a bit of time to be a spectator too. Which pro player/team are you most excited to see?
Beanz: For me it’s the Iroquois Nationals, (if they make it here - Visa trouble we hear) they invented the game, they have a different style and a passion that just outdoes others. I'm also looking forward to seeing Paul Rabil - he has everything, strength, speed, vision, a world record shot but most importantly great flow!
TopJLax: Your playing involvement at the Worlds has been in part funded by "Express Electronics" how did they get involved?
Beanz: Express Electronics, a huge thank you to them and their support. It is mainly my Managing director, Alex Devey , who has a passion for supporting Lacrosse. He has strong links to the states and enjoys watching the fastest game on two feet.
TopJLax: Good on them, we'll put a link up to them as a company who supports UK laxers. Finally, a word about your weapon of choice ... what head do you play with and how do you like it strung?
Beanz: I'm currently rocking a Brine E3 on a STX Sci Ti, it's great for facing off. I love soft mesh with loads but not too much whip. 1 Nylon, 1 straight hooter and a U holder. I can only bring it out in the summer though, crap English weather. (You should see the mud in winter).
TopJLax: It's been a pleasure Beanz, as ever. Stay fresh, play hard, and keep doing your electronic thing. For everyone out there, you can catch Beanz playing at this weekends Lacrosse tournament in Manchester (in case you haven't heard about it, it's kind of a big deal).
