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Olympic stars battle for funds

by Victoria Morley
21/ 5/2008

FOUR of Stockport’s most talented lacrosse players are in the centre of a funding debate that could change sporting history.

The dedicated young athletes -who have all been chosen to play for England’s Under 19 Lacrosse Team in the World Championships this year - are fighting for their game to be nationally recognised.

The off-field battle began last year when Anthony Boyle and fellow England team members Tom Bailey, Pete Hayes and Anthony Hayes, who are all 19, were forced to pay £4,000 each to represent their country at the games in Canada this July.

Andy Boyle, of Woodsmoor, whose son Anthony plays for Manchester Waconians, said: "The lads decided to take a year off studies to concentrate on gaining selection for the England team. They have had to work full time to help pay for the honour of representing their country.

"My son Anthony was at Ridge Danyers last year but rather than go to university has taken a job in Stockport. Obviously, any fundraising by the parents’ committee will help to offset the high cost of preparing and sending this elite squad of young men to play for England, but this is only a small portion of the overall costs involved."

The funding problem arose because lacrosse is currently recognised as a development sport and only funded at club level. However, it is not recognised as an Olympic sport and so players cannot get funding from UK Sport for international events.

Stockport MP Ann Coffey has taken their campaign to Parliament and hopes rules on sports funding will be changed to make sure lacrosse competitors receive financial assistance to enable them to compete internationally.

After she raised the issue in the Commons, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe promised to review the funding rules for lacrosse.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "I pay tribute to the youngsters who are going through to the world championships. These people have fallen through the gap in terms of the relationship between Sport England and UK Sport."

For more information on the team visit www.englishlacrosse.co.uk.