Westonbirt’s Head cheers alumni on in World Lacrosse 2024 Women’s U20 Championship

The World Lacrosse 2024 Women’s U20 Championship is currently underway in Hong Kong and Westonbirt School is delighted to have two of our former students playing in it.  The tournament, which last took place in 2019, features 20 teams from across the globe and continues until August 24th.

Carys Johnson, who left Westonbirt in 2023 and is currently studying at the University of Nottingham, is representing England and Francesca Di Mauro, who has just received her A Level results, is representing Italy.  At the time of writing, the tournament is still at the pool stage, with Italy already gaining a place in the quarter finals and England needing to win their final pool game convincingly tomorrow (Tuesday 20th August) against Ireland to also secure a place.

Westonbirt’s Head, Natasha Dangerfield is currently in Hong Kong, to support our alumni and also in her official role as President of England Lacrosse.  She reflects on the importance of the sport in both the school’s life and her own:

“As the Head of Westonbirt School I am excited and very proud, to be able to see two competing players representing their country at the World Championship. Being a keen lacrosse school, we know the hard work and dedication that goes in to making the cut at this level is significant, so to cheer them on with pride will mark all we as a school community feel for their endeavours. Meeting some of our alumni this week will be a chance to share that community more broadly.

There is much to look forward to, not only as these championships brave the Hong Kong weather, but also as the world of lacrosse works towards the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. To see so many countries represented at this champs is hugely promising.

It’s also wonderful to see parents cheering on their daughters and ex team mates, whose allegiance was sealed first at university and then through national representation ourselves, lead our Under 20 teams in Scotland, Gill Aldcroft and England, Vic Alexander.

In all of this, the thread of lacrosse has sealed a network which has been embedded in my life. I know this is the same for many more in our global lacrosse community and we would not change it.”