In New Zealand we play lacrosse on farming fields. It’s chaos…there are sheep-dogs running around attempting to “round up” the players, cows moo-ing from the side line, and sheep meandering in front of goal when you are about to shoot (in fact, we call it “sheep” space to goal). We play lacrosse in gum boots, use a kiwifruit for a ball, and generally after the games we get together and have a bbq, eating only NZ lamb/beef, pavlova, and drinking Lion Red (beer).

In an attempt to find out how lacrosse is played on the other side of the world, I came to Scotland. I had to find out for myself if it was normal to scoop up a cow pat every time you went for a ground ball.

I haven’t been in Edinburgh long, but the trainings and games I have taken part in have been brilliant. I have to say the style of play over here isn’t dissimilar to that in New Zealand, although it tends to be a little more “physical” at home. I found I could understand the style of the game with no problems. If anything at home we focus more on set plays and structured combinations at training, as opposed to just playing and seeing what we can create.

Defensively we are more aggressive in NZ – and by aggressive I mean that I usually come away from a weekend game with a few bruises…as a defence player you seem to be able to get away with a lot more at home. With regard to attack the focus seems to be the same…moving, moving, moving….picks, snappy effective cutting, working the ball around and letting it do the work, drawing double teams and using the free player, and of course, exciting fast-break situations.

Playing against the U19 squad out at Musselburgh was an experience – after dealing with the fact that I had chosen to play lacrosse in potentially the coldest location possible (and I didn’t have tights, not a fan), I then saw the army of 35 U19 players – who were to face our team of 14. 23 subs vs. our pitiful 2…I didn’t like the odds. But the game was very competitive and so much fun to be a part of. I think the Scotland U19 Squad is doing fantastically, they certainly have a very strong base to build on and some very talented players – I wish them well with their preparation for Canada in 2007.

I would like to thank the members of Edinburgh Thistle for welcoming me into their club, esp. Emily, Claudia, Cosh, and Fiona. It’s been a short, but wonderful experience and I am so glad I came to Edinburgh.

I’d also like to use this opportunity to invite all lacrosse players in Scotland to come and play in Auckland, New Zealand. We have an established league set up which runs from October until the end of March (we play in our summer), with men’s and women’s clubs all over Auckland. Coaching opportunities are also available, and we can assist you with information on getting accommodation and employment too – please email me if you are interested annastrand26@hotmail.com You are all so welcome, we would love some of you to come over for a season and I can promise that you will love New Zealand! Oh, I should say in case you weren’t sure, that I was joking about the sheep/cows/kiwifruit etc. And you won’t need to bring your tights.

Anna Strand
NZ Lacrosse