Bolton Primary – and the EVA that may help lacrosse to stick

In Summer 2024, as part of the Cumbria lacrosse expansion project, Vics Law delivered an introductory training course in Carlisle to a group of school teachers.  The purpose of the course was to provide initial CPD to those attending the day, so they could then introduce the sport to their pupils at their own school.  And one of the better outcomes would be if they could also then in turn support the roll-out the sport to other schools in their surrounding area.

Bianca Cousin, a Teacher & PE Lead at Bolton Primary School (located between Appleby & Penrith) was one who did just that.  In September 2024, TLF approved a grant of £750 to provide the school with a set of 36 Pop-Lacrosse sticks and balls & 4 goals, which would initially enable Bianca to self-deliver lacrosse to Y3-Y6 pupils at Bolton Primary within the curriculum and as an after-school activity. 

Back in 2022, Bolton Primary and seven other local primary schools had formed the Eden Valley Alliance (EVA), as a way of more effectively spending the Government Sports Premium funding, and to offer the children from these rural school communities the chance to mix, compete and engage in physical and sporting activities.

Lacrosse was an ideal sport for this – and six of the eight schools came together to take part in a Lacrosse Festival in May 2025 with 90 pupils enjoying the day.  CPD was given to staff as part of this Festival and some of these designated adults then delivered some of the activities using Lacrosse skills cards, and the teachers being given some planning/lesson ideas to take back to their schools.  The great news is that Lacrosse is now part of the sporting calendar within the EVA, as well as each school's curriculum plans.

Challenges & how does TLF and the lacrosse community overcome them?
The challenge now, as in other locations remote from an established lacrosse club, is how does this initiative continue to develop?  

Q1: How can the EVA establish a network with other schools outside their catchment, to maybe establish a wider inter-school 'competition'?
A: Jo Racle (former player & coach) is voluntarily leading on the ‘Cumbria Expansion’ project. She is in contact with Bianca to look to support her initiative as part of looking to grow lacrosse in and around Penrith. Tournaments in both North & South Lakes are being scheduled & funded by TLF. Jo is supported by both Mike Orme (ex-Heaton Mersey LC), and Vics Law for the coaching.

Q2: How do we ensure lacrosse continues in the EVA schools, accepting that teachers move on from jobs to new employment elsewhere?
A: Providing CPD to more teachers & involving them at the schools can hopefully ensure there is continuity of engagement in lacrosse.   

Q3: What outlet is there for these pupils, if they wanted to continue with lacrosse after Y6? [Border City LC & Kendal both a 50-min drive away].
A: This is a key challenge, for how TLF ‘evolves’ the various projects we have supported in Cumbria, so that it is sustainable. Without a solution, we risk having given the children a taste of lacrosse, and then having to accept their involvement in the sport ends there.