CLUB HISTORY

When did Lacrosse come to Reading ?

In May 1883 a team of Iroquois and Canadians visited Reading as part of an exhibition tour of the country. We believe this was the first lacrosse match, of any kind, ever to be played in Reading.

Lacrosse has been played at several girls' schools in and around Reading for over a century.

Schools such as Queen Anne's in Caversham have a proud record of winning national championships at different age-groups. The Berkshire Wanderers women's team also based themselves in Reading for many years.

However there was no men's lacrosse until 1999 when Trevor Rogers and Andrew Doney founded the club after both relocated from Manchester which for many years was Britain's strongest area for the game.

Trevor was heavily involved with Poynton Lacrosse Club for many years, in particular, helping to rejuvenate their Juniors’ Programme.

Andrew grew up playing lacrosse for various clubs, before migrating South to Reading. Along with Trevor's son Adam, they played for Beckenham LC (London) for a few seasons, before deciding to set up a club in Reading. They felt Reading was a perfect location for a new club in the South of England, bridging the gap between the London and East clubs and those in the West of the country. New players were attracted to the game and the club membership soon grew. The club started initially with just one Men's team, but has expanded rapidly. We now have two men's teams and a women's team as well as a growing junior programme.

April 16 1999 Club founded. Men's 1st team play first competitive game

Oct 1999 Men's 1st team debut in SEMLA (South of England Men's Lacrosse Association) Div III

Apr 2000 Men's 1st team gain promotion in first season

Apr 2000 Men's 1st team competed in the Berlin Open Club Tournament

Sep 2000 Our first LDO : Ryan Wellner arrives

Mar 2001 Host SEMLA Flags Finals Day at IBIS Club

May 2001 Men's 1st team competed in the Berlin Open Club Tournament for second successive year

Sep 2001 Our second LDO : Jeff Cady arrives

Oct 2001 New Ladies' & Juniors' teams formed. Juniors play first ever competitive games

Dec 2001 Men's 1st team defeat a Div I team for the first time

Jan 2002 Men's 2nd team formed. Played first ever game

Feb 2002 Ladies' team play first ever full competitive games

Mar 2002 Host the All-Berkshire & Regional POP lacrosse Tournaments

Mar 2002 Juniors' team complete first full season in SEMLA U13 Junior league

Apr 2002 Men's 1st team win 'Poynton/Reading Challenge Trophy' (for the first time)

Apr 2002 Men's 1st team win ***SEMLA Div II League title***

Apr 2002 Men's 1st team win SEMLA Intermediate 6 'a' Side Competition

Apr 2002 Men's 1st team promoted to Div I (after only three seasons)

Sep 2002 Our third LDO : Rob Warner arrives

Feb 2003 Wildcat players make South of England team

Mar 2003 Men's team finish in highest ever position in the league (3rd)

Sep 2003 Our fourth LDO : Robbie Gilliss arrives

Mar 2004 Wildcat Ladies Team crowned Champions of West League