By Katie Birt and Ellie Gaastra
On the 10th February, 24 players from the Wales Senior Women’s Squad travelled
to Boston, USA on an eight day tour as part of preparations for the European
Championships in July.
The tour schedule gave us an opportunity to compete against high-level opposition and
back-to-back matches mimicked the physical challenges facing the squad in upcoming
tournaments.
The team played a total of five games against a mixture of Division I and Division III NCAA
teams: Harvard University, Babson College, University of Bridgeport, University of Hartford
and Roger Williams University. With a positive set of results winning all but one, the squad
achieved some decisive wins and came away with valuable learning experiences having
competed against some strong teams.
As well as some fantastic lacrosse the team had the usual dose of challenges along the way
– delayed baggage, extreme weather conditions and cancelled games provided some
unexpected ‘adversity and resilience’ training for the team too!
The team were also incredibly grateful for the amazing hospitality from the college teams
that hosted us – from providing some specific coaching clinics, to the incredible ‘tail-gate’
meals after the games, we wish them lots of luck in their season ahead.
Following the tour, the team are looking ahead to the next event, the Home Internationals
Series, happening in Cardiff in April. The squad are excited for the event to return to Welsh
soil and looking forward to performing in front of a home crowd in some no-doubt fiercely
competitive matches.
Management:
Head Coach: Gavin Donaldson
Assistant Coach: William Baxter
Assistant Coach: Kieran Pegrum-Milner
Strength and Conditioning: Ffion Thompson
Head of Medical: Sean Connelly
Sports Massage Therapist: Connor Laskey
Performance Psychologist: Bernadette Kellerman
Boston Tour squad:
Charlotte Williams
Chelsea Nasmyth-Miller
Ellie Gaastra
Ellie Jones
Evie Tipping
Fiona Roberts
Flora Burdett
Harriet Brooks
Hayley Burke
Iris Hampstead
Issy Michelson
Izzy Zealley
Katie Birt
Katie Lehovsky
Katie Parrish
Loulou Rowlands
Madi Jones
Maeve McKenny
Mia Monsen
Nia Martin
Phoebe Smith
Sian Evans-Evans
Sophy Coombes-Roberts
