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Lacrosse teens hope to go Stateside
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| Sophie Brett in lacrosse action |
TWO schoolgirls who play for Beckenham Ladies and England under-19s lacrosse teams are aiming for scholarships in the US.
Camilla Hayes and Sophie Brett, both 16, are studying for exams which American universities and colleges use to help select applicants.
They hope to be selected for a hugely competitive scholarship for students with exceptional sporting talent.
Along with two others, Emily Steel, 17, and Helena Brett, 16, they already play for England under-19s and were selected as non-travelling reserves for the U-19 Lacrosse World Cup in Canada last summer.
As well as playing for both Beckenham Ladies and Croydon Foxes, the girls are all members of CENTEX (The English Lacrosse Association's Centre of Excellence) where they are coached by members of the England senior squad.
The cost of US education is on average £15,000 per year so the girls are playing lacrosse as much as possible in order to be selected for scholarships.
Camilla said: "I think lacrosse should be more covered in the UK, everyone who plays it enjoys it."
The girls are working hard to shed the sport of its private school image by coaching children in various comprehensive schools around the borough.
Camilla added: "The biggest difficulty is explaining to new people what it is."
By coaching youngsters from an early age they hope to encourage more people to take up the sport, as that is how they all got started.
Lacrosse is played by around 2,000 people in the UK while in America some games are watched live by up to 50,000 people.
Paul Brett, 50, from Orpington is the chairman of Croydon Foxes and proud father to two of the girls, Sophie and Helena.
He said: "Lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet, when the girls coach in the schools there is a lot of enjoyment.
"It's a sport where there is great a respect for opponents and referees, but lots of camaraderie and it has a great social side.
"If you show aptitude, as these girls have, you can go a long way."
By Dan Coombs
11:37am Thursday 17th January 2008
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