Boom.
Big mic drop.
The NKI25 was the biggest and best yet, as we promised. So much so that we are already signing teams up for next year and the super exciting thing is that some of those are teams that have expressed serios interest have never entered before such as Midlands ladies and a number of International teams from mainland Europe. We would also like to see the return of teams such as England U20, Wales and England masters and there is a very strong case for North West to split and return to entering Cheshire and Lancashire teams again.
Huge effort by Nederlands who with just under 4 months to get organized not only managed to bring a squad but make the final where they lost 7-2 vs North West. Although they travelled a little light on numbers they ran North West close 4-3 on the Saturday, managed to squeeze in a full exhibition game in the evening vs Wales senior squad losing by one late goal.
As always our referees worked very hard over the weekend. They blew their whistles, ran as fast as their little legs would carry them, threw flags and the odd gang sign!
A huge thank you has to go to Glenn from UK Lacrosse Live, his work over 2 days filming games from the men's and women's event is very much appreciated and the lacrosse community are lucky to have him. You can catch the action on his YouTube channel. It is important to us all that lacrosse is viewed by not by those who play it here in the UK but by those who don't, just think how wide a reach the sport would have in this country if we to share content more regularly on our our social media platforms.
Also a huge thank you to Chris White from Midlands for videoing games from the men's tournament. You can watch those on the Nuneaton Lacrosse YouTube channel. The fact that so much of the NKI25 was videoed is amazing.
We also had a number of incredible photographers over the the weekend including Jill Sargent-Wilkinson, Show Me Your Reel and Geoff Quinn.
Although Wales Dragons had a tough time over the weekend in terms of results, they were all smiles over the 2 days and see the Nick Kehoe tournament as an great opportunity to give squad players experience playing at a higher level.
Success stories in our little sport seem few and far between in recent years but the lacrosse scene in the Midlands in growing and developing at a steady rate. This year they finished 5th from 11 teams, winning the plate competition. The Midlands will also be fielding a ladies team in the NKI26 and there is a possibility they will also field a a men's development team. A huge round of applause to the Midlands game growers, you know who you are and we tip our hat to you good sirs.
Scotland has supported the NKI for countless years and continue to bring 2 men's squads and now 2 very competitive ladies teams to the ever growing event. We appreciate their efforts and the ease of communication from the senior men's management team in the run up to the tournament. The Scotland program see the event as an important date in the lacrosse calendar, we look forward to your return in 2026.
South of England once again entered 2 teams in the men's competition, it's far to say this year was not to be as they seemed not be as deep as previous years. No doubt they were missing a new of talented players attending the Box tournament in Prague. South will look to improve on their final placing in the 2026 Nick Kehoe tournament.
Over countless years English Universities has been a team that has supported the NKI. Under the guidance of Matt Nadin, players gained valuable playing experience against players of a higher caliber than most students compete against on a week to week basis in their regular season. We'd like to also see the Inspire Program by England Lacrosse join next years tournament as well as English Universities as University lacrosse has been the biggest growth area of the sport in the past decade and yet is still an area where playing experience and coaching is badly needed. More players need to transition to club lacrosse post University and continue playing the game, giving these students more chances to play the sport against club players gives them excellent engagement opportunities.
A huge effort by Yorkshire, who for the first time ever entered a ladies team in the tournament. A real credit to all those involved in making this happen and we very much look forward to your return next year.
First timers in the ladies tournament was Pink Gin & Juice which had a good number of Wilmslow based ladies who might of got the results they wanted but they certainly had a great time on the Sunday and are looking forward to next year already.
Heaton Mersey Lions competed for the second year running and have gone from strength to strength, the team is a real credit Kim and Steve Morley who have worked tirelessly to improve the girls program at Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Club.
Home Nation Lions mixed team entered the tournament this year and provided stiff opposition within the women's tournament. It was the first time they had attended the NKI and all players looked the experience and atmosphere.
Scotland took the ladies title and we hope they will return next year to defend it as the event grows in terms of number of teams and quality of play.
As more pictures become available from the weekend we will keep updating this blog page so keep your eyes peeled in the coming days.
It's important for the organizing committee here at Wilmslow Lacrosse Club that we deliver a more professional tournament year on year. The feedback we have had to date has been excellent but we are committed to making improvements going forward. We 100% believe that the event can host more teams and that tournaments such as the NKI help inspire players and push them forward to not only become better at the sport but enjoy the experience so much that one day they will give back to the sport that has given them so much.
