TopJLax

How do players in the UK go about making the next step and getting themselves onto a college programme in the US? Whilst it's not impossible, take Sam Russell (Whittier College) or Thomas Brooks (Manhattan) for example, there certainly isn't an established system for exposing the talent pool of UK players to our stateside neighbour. Cue Scott Weddell stepping up to the plate, and his brainchild England Knights Lacrosse. TopJLax went along to meet Scott and find out a little more.

Scott Weddell has been an avid fan of NCAA lacrosse for many years. One of the features of college lacrosse that he has become increasingly interested in is the recruiting process, where coaches watch for players committing to a college and then try to get the early scoop on them. How do scouts go about getting the early scoop? They do this by checking out the many team websites & videos available on the internet, looking at touring team websites like the CNY Roadhawks, Canada Edge, Top Gun Fighting Clams and Baltimore Crabs, or visting these teams in person when they play in summer showcase tournaments all over the United States. Every town and state have a travel team to showcase their talent and the best teams send hoards of players to Championship winning University’s. 

Scott noticed, whilst coaching at Camps in the US and previously when touring Philadelphia with the England U19 team, that England produce great athletes that can compete at this level. He recalls from his U-19 tour: "When we played Haverford school on their Alumni day, the team included National Championship goalie Dan Wigrizer (Duke) & Johns Hopkins standout Kyle Wharton, we competed with them for four quarters in what turned out to be a two goal game.". These experiences convinced Scott that England have the talent pool and would one day become a recruiting pipeline for US University’s. To get there he believes our blue-chip players just need more high level coaching and experience against top class opposition.

Looking inwards at the UK Scott realised that there were no U18 touring teams in the UK and one day he decided that he needed to be the first to create a UK based travel team, which he has called English Knights Lacrosse. He comments that "With the experience I have gained from many years of coaching at this level I believe I can identify talented players and provide each player with high level of specialist positional coaching (based in the UK & US) and strength & conditioning programs."
 

The plan for an England Knights Lacrosse US tour is for players to attend a four day camp that provides high level instruction by elite University and High school coaches and also to play daily games in a NCAA Division 1 setting. The team would then travel to a four day showcase tournament, this will provide an opportunity for UK players to be recruited by US High Schools & Colleges and gain the team/coaching staff invaluable experience against the best players and teams in the US & Canada.

Following on from this Scott tells us that the team will: "provide the players with advice, support and overviews on the US recruitment process and will tape every game so that the players can create highlight films to provide to US coaches, we will also create Bios for each player via a website so that their information is easily accessible (with security). We will always stress the importance of Academics and try to make every trip educational as well as an enjoyable experience."

Knights Lacrosse is a not for profit organisation and will provide UK coaching (excluding pitch hire costs) for free and the US Camp at a discounted rate. The tournament will currently cost the usual entrance fee but both Camp and Tournament will include all meals and housing.

Scott's missions is "not about making money and I am trying to make the most of the contacts I have made and the experience I have gained over the years. I want to give these players an opportunity to develop as an athlete, improve English based players to also improve our national squad, continue their education and to also experience different cultures. I am not making dreams come true but am giving them an opportunity to take the next step, following the US model that is tried and tested."

Whilst only in its fledgling stage, organisations like England Knights Lacrosse are beginning to emerge around the UK, and this can only signal great times ahead for Lacrosse in the UK. Our sport is still small on a national scale, and it often takes the commitment and dedication of a few people to make these things work. Here @ the Gamma Gamma Frat House TopJLax are always open to promoting these organisations, because it is only going to make the sport we share even better. 

England Knights Lacrosse are interested in any donations or sponsorship deals to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to travel, if you would like any further information on English Knights Elite Lacrosse please email scott.weddell@ntlworld.com