Westonbirt School Makes History with Record-Breaking Lacrosse Achievement

15 March 2025

For nearly a century, Westonbirt School has nurtured a proud tradition of lacrosse, and over the past two decades, its lacrosse programme has steadily gained recognition and achieved significant success. Each year, more than 45 schools and 182 teams participate in the four-day National Schools Lacrosse Championships, a prestigious event held since 1944. This weekend-long competition sees schools from across the country battle for the top spots.

Over the last decade, the U19 Westonbirt team has steadily climbed the leaderboard. In 2023, they placed in the top eight and in 2024, they maintained that position. This year marks a historic achievement with both the U19 and U15 teams finishing in the top five nationally – U19 securing a place in the top four and U15 in the top five.

“Reaching the final four of the U19A National Schools Championship is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and teamwork of this team over the last five to seven years, and I couldn’t be more proud!” said Coach Wilson. “It reflects not only the growth of our programme but also the spirit of our players. Our captains – Taya Dangerfield, Erin Brady, and Sophie Ellis – have been the heart and soul of this squad, and I’ve seen first hand their leadership and passion for the game.”

First team co-captain Taya Dangerfield, who began playing lacrosse at eight, shared how her time at Westonbirt has shaped her. “Representing Westonbirt has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here,” she said. “Joining the first team at a young age pushed me to refine my skills and grow into the player I am today. The older players set a standard that motivated me to reach my full potential. We went into this year’s competition aiming to give our all, and we did just that. This achievement shows our hard work, perseverance, and belief in each other.”

Reflecting on her time as co-captain, Erin Brady shared, “Captaining the first team this year has been an amazing experience, and I loved every second of playing with this team. Playing lacrosse for Westonbirt has been something I’m incredibly proud of, and while coming top 4 was a fantastic way to end my time at school, what I will miss the most is my teammates.”

The inspiration from the older players continues down to the U15 squad, who also made school history by finishing in the top five in the country. Goalkeeper Alex Suarez-Yard reflects on their achievement this past season: “After a tough start to the season, finishing 5th at nationals has been so rewarding. We didn’t go into the competition expecting to win or place as high as we did, but we came together as a team, supporting each other through every match. This past weekend has been an amazing way to end our season, and I think I speak for the whole team when I say we’re incredibly proud of the high standard we played at.”

Coach Wilson expressed his pride in seeing the U15 striving for excellence. “It is fantastic to see the U15 team pushing to these high standards, and to know a future generation of players have been inspired,” he said. Looking ahead, he is eager to see how the programme evolves, adding, “I am excited to see the programme continue to push forward and put Westonbirt on the map.”

Taya was also awarded this year’s Vivien Jones Memorial Award at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships. This prestigious MVP honour is given to the player who demonstrates not only excellence on the field but also leadership and embodies the true spirit of the sport.

“Winning this award is an achievement that fills me with immense gratitude and pride,” Taya said. “Being a captain has taught me that true leadership is not about standing out alone but lifting others up in an environment where everyone can excel. This award belongs to the team as much as it does to me because without everyone’s dedication and trust, this journey would not have been possible. I am grateful to Mr Wilson, whose belief in our potential and relentless encouragement has shaped not just my performance but also my understanding of what it means to lead.”

This achievement for both teams highlights not only the talent but also the dedication and perseverance shown by the players throughout the season and over the years. It serves as an inspiration for the next generation of players, and all eyes will be on Westonbirt next season as they aim to build on their historic achievements.