Lacrosse Team’s Cup Success

Report by Jack Groves, Physical Education with QTS student.

An enthusiastic and jubilant crowd cheered the University of Brighton’s men’s lacrosse team on to a resounding 20-3 win versus Reading in the British Universities & Colleges Sport Lacrosse 2015-2016 South Eastern Conference Cup final on the all-terrain pitch at the Eastbourne campus.

Despite the pouring rain the supporters filled the artificial turf pitch (ATP) to the brim and provided an electric atmosphere to encourage the team on to a cup final win that exemplified the talent of the team and team spirit of the university as a whole.

Lacrosse team member Anthony Panteli elaborated on the fantastic atmosphere: “The atmosphere was pretty overwhelming. A few days prior to the game a buzz began over Facebook as more and more students begun to share a page to promote our final game.

“Lacrosse usually gathers a few spectators but never have I seen our ATP so packed full of support, even throughout the rain!! People were chanting and singing songs in support and the whole team couldn’t thank them all enough for sticking around right until the end of the match.”

The University of Brighton lacrosse teams are made up of students across a variety of courses including sports and exercise science, sport coaching, physical education and physical education with QTS and there are teams for both male and female students. Whilst men’s lacrosse is relatively new, it is one of the fastest growing sports in inter-university competition and this was exemplified by the magnificent turnout on the day of the cup final.

So what makes this sport team special?

Anthony reckons the team’s philosophy of inclusion plays a big part: “I think what differentiates us from all other sports is that we only have one team and whoever wants to state that they are available for a game WILL play. We always include our newer players and they will always get game time, regardless of the score as men are always coming on and off the pitch due to the intensity and physicality of the game.

“We are also the only team to have mixed social events which include both men’s and women’s teams. This really keeps morale high on game days as well as if both teams have a home game, we will be around to support each other.”

This magnanimous team spirit is present across the whole campus, with students often involved in one or more of the many successful sport teams, societies and social events. In turn contributing to the lively social atmosphere of the university as a whole.