Sheffield looking to shine again
Since its formation in 1983, Sheffield Steelers has been the leading men’s lacrosse club in Yorkshire, competing in the North’s top division, and providing a number of players for the national team. It also now has a women’s section in the club, which has helped to broaden the playing opportunities as well as expand the volunteer base.
From its early days, the club ran a junior programme involving local schools - and was until recently the only club in the North outside Greater Manchester running such a scheme. This has successfully introduced many youngsters to the sport, but the levels of activity had begun to decline for a variety of reasons.
In 2023 The Lacrosse Foundation approved a grant of £4,250 to help the club reinvigorate their junior programme, providing playing equipment (junior sticks, helmets & gloves; and junior rage cage goals) plus coaching provision (training courses, including First Aid course, & costs for 100 hours coaching time). This enabled the club to go into schools in the local S10/S11 area, focusing on boys & girls aged 9-11, and ensuring that those transitioning to field lacrosse could do so with kit of good quality and in a safe environment.
Junior development (as all those active within it will recognise) is an ongoing effort to introduce and recruit new players - and in an area away from the traditional heartland of the game, to also raise the profile and awareness of the sport.
Over the last twelve months, the Steelers club has introduced the following initiatives:
After-school club
Towards the end of last year, some club members went into Morning Assembly at some of their local primary schools to introduce the club, the sport of lacrosse, and how the children could get involved. Some of the students from these schools joined the after-school club set up by the club, which is open to children aged 8 to 12. With 10 juniors now part of this group, some of them had the chance to play their first match as part of the Richmond LC's team at the National U12's Lacrosse Tournament in May.
Busy in June
During June 2025 the club has been particularly active, and has:
worked along with the “4 Sheffield School Sports Partnerships” as part of city-wide lacrosse event held at the Olympic Legacy Park under the ‘Sheffield Schools Get Active’ initiative. Attended by over 100 children from 6 primary schools with their PE teachers, nine volunteer coaches from the club led the skills sessions & pop games; and following positive feedback, further events will be run & CPD offered to teachers.
attended the 4th annual “Olympic Legacy in Action” community day at the Legacy Park. This time lacrosse shared the main pitch with the two Sheffield football clubs (Wednesday & United) and rugby league – with over 3,000 youngsters attending the event. Led by club volunteers, lots of children as well as parents had a go with sticks & enjoyed taking shots a club goalie. Once again, great feedback received from the event organisers who confirmed lacrosse would be invited back next year.
spent a day at Abbey Lane Primary School as part of their sports week – to help the children learn the basics of catching and throwing. Club coaches have also been invited to go into the nearby Totley School next term.
Summer skills
And over the school summer holidays, the ‘Steelers Summer Skills Sessions’ are being run on Saturday mornings 10:00 - 11:30 (26 July - 30 August), aimed at boys & girls aged 8 to 12, at Taptonville Field off Manchester Road, Sheffield.
Such junior development is key to the future of the club, and the continuing existence of the sport in the city of Sheffield. We wish the club every success in its efforts, along with the support it receives from the wider lacrosse community.