LEH celebrated a historic achievement on Sunday 8 March as the or U19 A team were crowned National Schools Lacrosse Champions, completing a remarkable season that has already seen the school lift the South East Region Cup just weeks earlier.
Following a series of impressive performances during Saturday’s rounds, both the LEH U19 A and U19 B teams progressed to the national championship, underlining the depth of talent within the school’s lacrosse programme. The U19 A team gave their all in a run of impressive performances throughout the competition, advancing confidently to the final where they faced a strong challenge from runners-up Godolphin.
In a thrilling and fiercely contested final, our Senior Team delivered a composed and determined performance to secure the national title, bringing a season of exceptional achievement to a fitting and much-deserved conclusion.
The victory also carried a light-hearted twist: in school lacrosse circles there is a long-standing superstition that teams who win their regional title rarely go on to claim the national crown. LEH’s U19 A squad clearly had other ideas. By lifting both the South East Region Cup and the National Championship in the same season, the team not only capped a remarkable campaign but also boldly consigned one of the sport’s favourite myths to the sidelines.
Rowena Cole, Head, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the girls and what they have achieved. Their determination, teamwork and commitment have been inspiring to watch throughout the season. This success reflects not only their hard work but also the dedication of our fantastic sports department and coaches, who have supported and guided our students so brilliantly. This was a display of exceptional teamwork, belief and talent. It is an achievement we will never forget – and one that has inspired everyone at LEH.”
Head of Lacrosse, Chris Summers, added:
“I am so proud of this group of girls for what they have achieved this season. They have become a family that cares about and supports one another both on and off the field. The journey from preseason to now has been the team taking it one day at a time, one practice at a time, and one game at a time. To be crowned National Champions at the end of the season is a testament to their hard work and is something that can never be taken away from the players.”
Rich Lalor, Director of Performance Sport, highlighted the commitment behind the victory:
“The amount of work the girls have put in to reach this point has been extraordinary. Early morning strength and conditioning sessions, break time wall-ball, after-school training – they have given everything they had, not just this season; it’s been many years in the making. Today the girls have shown exactly what that dedication can lead to.”
U19 A team captain Molly said:
“We had a team saying all season – the longer the string, the higher the kite flies – and that became our mantra. That’s what we’ve been focusing on – working together to reach the highest of heights. It’s a feeling we will never forget; this team will always be a family.”
Our U19 B team also played with great courage and determination, finishing in the top 8 B teams in the country.
While the Senior Team celebrates this landmark achievement, we will now turn our attention to supporting our younger teams competing in the remaining days of the championships, who will no doubt be inspired by the fantastic performances and success of their older peers.
The national title marks a memorable conclusion to what has been widely regarded as a season of dreams for LEH lacrosse, reinforcing the school’s reputation as one of the leading lacrosse programmes in the country.
Photo credit: Adam Scott Photography @adamscott_photo.
