Young coaches are thanked for service (From Penarth Times)

Young coaches are thanked for service

WILLIAM Evans, of Penarth Lacrosse Club, was presented with the John Buckland Cup at the recent Annual General Meeting of Penarth Lacrosse Club. The award was presented by Gordon Shumack, chairman of the Welsh Lacrosse Associ-ation, and is made to the Best Young Player in Wales Men's Lacrosse.

The Welsh Under 19 coaches selected Will after his performance in the World Under-19 Championships in Baltimore, USA last year.

This summer, along with ten of his Penarth team mates, Will was part of the 23-strong Welsh Senior Men's Squad who gave a very creditable performance in the European Champion-ships in Prague.

The Wales Ladies Team finished as European Women's Champions. Will is hoping to be selected for the Welsh squad for the World Cup in Ontario, Canada in 2006.

In making the presentation, Gordon Shumack also thanked Will for his contribution to coaching the Penarth Junior side, along with team mates Andrew Ford and Sophie Peregrine, who coaches the Junior Girls team. Will and Sophie have also assisted with coaching at several Penarth primary schools.

Will leaves Penarth for Swansea University, where he has been awarded a sports bursary, while studying for a BSc degree in Geography and Sophie will study Radiography at Liverpool.

Both will be playing lacrosse for their university teams. Andrew plans to start a year in industry and will continue to coach the Penarth juniors.

Club secretary Christine Shumack presented each of the three young coaches with a cheque in thanks for their service and commitment to lacrosse in Penarth.

She said that it was very heartening to see players who were prepared to put something back into their sport.

Andrew, Will and Sophie all began their lacrosse careers at Evenlode Primary School, before moving on to Penarth Lacrosse Club.

Will and Andrew have also competed coaching courses this summer. Both are already qualified referees.

Penarth are always on the lookout for new players, both male and female, at all levels of the game.

Indoor training begins at Penarth Leisure Centre on Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm for U14s and 6pm to 7pm for over 14s. More information can be obtained from the Penarth Lacrosse website or from Chris Shumack on 2070 8966.

Penarth Men have their first home game at the Athletic Field on October 9 against Hampstead. Face off will be at 2pm. Spectators are always very welcome and admission is free.