Farewell to popular skipper (From Penarth Times)

Farewell to popular skipper

GARETH SHUMACK (Shu) aged 19, club and senior men's squad captain at Penarth Lacrosse Club had the biggest shock of his life when confronted by cheers and thunderous applause at a recent surprise farewell party at the Athletic Club.

Players and friends were keen to wish Shu the very best of luck before he left for College in the States. It has been a long held dream that one day he would attend College in America to study and play top quality League Lacrosse.

Although offered a number of places all over America, it was Wagner that he set his heart on. The College Lacrosse programme has a new management structure and is developing a new team which Shu will be part of. He commences his first term at Wagner College, Staten Island, New York on August 26 and was expecting a quiet evening with his close friends before leaving for four years or more to play Division 1 Lacrosse.

Gareth's love of lacrosse was triggered at the age of nine when introduced to the game at Ysgol Pen-y-Garth by visiting American American Lacrosse Development Officer. He has worked hard for many years to reach the standard of lacrosse required to be considered good enough to play in the States.

He has been a wonderful ambassador for the game over many years coaching, refereeing and developing the game in schools and clubs throughout the area and beyond. He captained the Welsh U-16 squad in 1999 and has played for the senior Welsh squad for the last four years competing in three European Championships. This year he travelled to Perth, Australia where he took part in the World Lacrosse Championships and had the honour of carrying the Welsh Flag at the opening ceremony and was awarded the most improved player award of the national squad.

Chris Lloyd, founder and president of the club, whose encouragement has spurred Gareth on to become the player he is today, made a delightful speech on behalf of club and Welsh Lacrosse Association. She presented him with a gift from the club and to his great surprise was presented with the John Buckland Trophy. Matt Greenly, on behalf of the Senior squad presented him with a digital camera to ensure his exploits in the States are captured.