Top of lacrosse! (From Free Press Series)

Top of lacrosse!

2:00pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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LAURA Warren is arguably the best lacrosse player in Europe.

The 27-year-old from Caldicot has just returned from her third senior World Cup with the Wales squad. There, despite Wales only placing sixth overall, she finished top goalscorer in the tournament and was named in the World XI squad.

Of the other 10 players making that list, all were from finalists USA and Australia.

On being touted as Europe’s top talent, she said modestly: "I suppose that makes sense. It sounds weird when I hear people say it, but I suppose it’s right."

The 2009 World Cup Lacrosse Competition was held in Prague in June. 16 nations entered with Wales just losing out to Canada in securing a semi-final spot.

Warren admitted: "I had hoped we’d finish third or fourth so that was a little disappointing. We just a bad day."

But Wales’ under-achievement takes nothing away from Warren, who is one of only three players to be selected for the World XI in two successive World Cups – her first was in the 2005 tournament held in the USA.

She does not even play for a club over here. Instead, she juggles her business as co-owner of Curves Gyms in Chepstow and Caldicot with national squad training weekends every fortnight and also coaches Wales’ under-19 side.

Warren, whose family are from Llantrisant near Cardiff, said: "I first started playing at primary school when I was about nine, then went to a school in Cardiff which played it.

"Later I got a scholarship to play at university in Maryland and got paid to play as I studied which was great.

"Over in America it’s a big deal. They get up to 40,000 people going to watch.

"It’s a bit of minority, niche sport here, but as I’ve grown up with it I’ve always known people who play and I’ve met lots of friends through training. And a lot of my other friends have at least heard of it and just about understand it."

Warren returned from the USA in 2004 when she completed her degree course – but would love to return to coach Stateside professionally.

Warren’s next goal is preparation for Wales’ series of home internationals with England and Scotland in the spring. She is also already looking towards the 2013 World Cup, possibly in Australia.

"The only thing is it’s such a small sport here we have to pay for all our own training and travel and equipment. It can get a bit expensive", Warren admitted.

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