Lacrosse Club achievers (From Penarth Times)

Lacrosse Club achievers

THE WELSH Lacrosse Association is delighted with the achievements of two young players from Penarth Lacrosse Club.

Michael Gamble, who has been a member of Penarth Club since the age of nine, was awarded the John Buckland Cup for the most outstanding young Welsh Player for the year 2001 after the European Championships in July.

Michael, a third year Bio-Medical Science Student at UWIC, Cardiff, was selected for the U-14 boys' team, and then progressed through the WLA Centres of Excellence teams before being chosen for the Men's squad when he was only 16.

His first introduction to Lacrosse was at Cogan School at the time when John Buckland was very involved in Welsh Development. John was a great enthusiast who inspired many young players so it was fitting that one of these young men was the first winner of this prestigious annual award.

The WLA are not only indebted to John Buckland for his work in development but also to his family for donating the Silver Cup in his memory.

Another young man who was influenced by John is Matthew Wills. He, too, followed the same route as Michael through the U-14 team and Centres of Excellence and Development before being chosen for the Welsh Men's team when he too, was only 16.

Matthew has just graduated in Sports Development and Coaching at Sheffield University and has been appointed as the first full-time Development Officer for Welsh Lacrosse.

Matthew will be involved in promoting and developing Lacrosse in Llanelli and Swansea as well as Torfaen, Monmouth and Newport whilst other qualified young coaches in Cardiff and Penarth will continue to maintain the progress already made in their areas.

The Welsh Lacrosse Association is delighted with this appointment which is a result of the great support received by the Welsh Sports Council, the Sports Development Officers in South Wales and Penarth Lacrosse Club.