E News May 2014
End of the Season
So another season is drawing to a close, congratulations to Northern Champions and Flags Winners - Cheadle, Southern Champions - The Blues, and Southern Flags Winners - Spencer.
The Centurions had another good year continuing our development work to help the sport grow, increasing our membership, rebuilding better links to Northern members, and spending all our money to make it happen.
The AGM will be on Tuesday 3rd June at The Market Porter in Borough Market by London Bridge. The Market Porter is a great pub with a pleasing range of real ales and buxom bar maids. The papers for the meeting and a full report on the year's activities will be posted to you soon.
What's on This Summer
Even though the season has ended there are still lots going on in lacrosse over the Summer.
As well as the AGM next month The Centurions will be holding the House of Lord's Dinner on Friday 27th June celebrating our 60th year. If you haven't yet booked there is still time to do so.
The British National Championships take place over this coming weekend of 3rd and 4th May at Wilmslow LC. Managed by Centurion, Clive Perrin, twelve teams will compete in England's elite tournament. This year The Centurions have sponsored a Development Trophy for development teams to enable those new to elite lacrosse to hone their skills.
May 10th sees lacrosse featuring at the Manchester Rugby 7's Festival at Broughton Park, along with rugby, netball, and Gaelic football.
The weekend of 21st/22nd June sees activity move to the largest lacrosse festival in Europe at The Blues ground in Woodmansterne near Croydon. In lacrosse terms it's BIG. Forty men's and women's teams compete on 7 pitches for two days. Around 800 players and supporters on site, some 600 of whom camp in the party village. It just shows how lacrosse has grown. Visitors are very welcome with food and ale on offer at great prices.
On Saturday 12th July the Northern Centurions will be travelling down the High Peak Canal lunching on a barge. I'm looking forward to meeting up with many of you on the trip.
Bath hosts their annual 8's on 6th September on The Recreation Ground in the heart of the city next to the rugby stadium. Bath is a lovely city to spend the weekend and enjoy a little lacrosse.
The close season then peaks in Ghent. Belgian champions Ghent Goblins will be hosting the European Club Championship - the Ken Gallucci Cup on the weekend of 13th/14th September. England is represented by The Blues and Cheadle as winners of the English leagues. There are now many strong European sides but hopefully one of our champions can bring the cup back to England again. Ghent is a pleasant city for a weekend as a tourist with both Bruges and Brussels a short train journey away if you fancy a longer stay. I've booked an apartment between the sports ground and the restaurant area for my stay.
If you'd like a break from the game over the summer, Centurion Ian Ballantine with Suzanne and Benji are taking over The Kings Head pub in Orford later this month. A fine historic hostelry serving Adnams Ales and fine food situated in a lovely village in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. I'm sure there'll be a warm lacrosse welcome for anyone fancying a few nights B&B, or just popping in for a swift half.
Then the next season...
All the best!
AGM papers, a review of the year's activities, and a subscription demand will be posted soon!