Lottery award assists World Cup aspiration

Tuesday 5 June 2001

Scotland's senior women's lacrosse team were given a boost today with the announcement of 20 individual Talented Athletes Programme (TAP) athlete awards totalling £15,000.00 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund.

The game of Lacrosse was born of the Native American Indian, christened by the French and adopted and raised by the Canadians. Rooted in Native American religion, lacrosse was often played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, develop strong, virile men and to give thanks to the creator.

The first women's lacrosse game was played in1890 at St Leonards School in Scotland. More than 110 years on, women’s lacrosse is becoming ever more popular. The women's game rewards agility and speed and the senior women's team will hope to have these skills in abundance when they compete in the World Cup at High Wycombe, on 7th to 14th July 2001.

Caroline Rae, the World Cup Squad Manager for the Scottish Lacrosse Union, said: "The support of sportscotland has meant a great deal to the squad over the last few years. Our preparations towards this year's World Cup have been long and hard and we hope that we can demonstrate the benefits that the funding has given us when we get to High Wycombe."

Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "The TAP programme allows our athletes to receive the best coaching and preparation possible to reach their full potential. We are proud to see that many funded athletes represent Scotland successfully at the highest level, enabling the country to be recognised world-wide."

• The lottery award will fund the team in preparation for The World Cup at High Wycombe from 7th to 14th July 2001. Other countries competing are: England, Wales, Australia, Canada, USA, Japan and Germany.
• To date nearly £8,650.000 has been spent on funding TAP athletes.
• The list of women to receive funding are as follows:

Lacrosse Awards

20 awards totalling: £15,000.00