LACROSSE

That this House notes that lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports both in England and internationally and is played by children, men and women from a variety of backgrounds; congratulates the England Men's U19 lacrosse squad which is to take part in the World Championships in British Columbia in July; further notes that, although lacrosse benefits from Sport England funding for development, it receives no funding for its elite athletes who compete in England's international squads; regrets that the families of young England players are required to cover the considerable costs of training and competing on behalf of England and that the cost of competing in the World Championships is likely to be around £175,000; and calls on the Government to ensure a fair allocation of resources in order to address the lack of funding for international lacrosse squads which could result in the loss of promising England players who can no longer afford to pay to compete.