Imogen supported to make international lacrosse debut

Forces Children Scotland supports Imogen’s international lacrosse success.

Imogen received a grant from Forces Children Scotland to help self-fund a trip to Prague to represent Scotland at the European Championships earlier this year.

Funds have also been awarded to help Imogen travel to Hong Kong to compete at the World Lacrosse Championships in Hong Kong next year.

Lacrosse is a sport that Imogen describes as ‘fast, competitive and team-orientated’ and its popularity continues to grow in Scotland.

When asked where and when the spark of passion first ignited, Imogen said:

“Being a Force’s child, I was fortunate enough to go to Queen Margaret’s School in York where I was introduced to the sport as an 11-year-old.

“Since then, I have played for Muenster University, Yorkshire, North of England, Fettes College, Capital Lacrosse Club (Edinburgh), Edinburgh University, and now Scotland.”

Imogen’s dad was commissioned in April 1990 into the 1st Battalion The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and has served on Operations in Iraq and extensively in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

His career has seen deployments to over 28 different countries including South Korea, Nigeria, Ukraine, Japan, and Colombia on short-term training missions, and was posted to both the Ministry of Defence in London and NATO HQ in Brussels.

In May 2022, he was appointed Deputy Commander 19th Light Brigade, based in York.

Growing up with a parent in the armed forces can provide many unique opportunities and challenges.

Imogen reflects on her experience growing up as a forces child:

“I am not going to pretend that growing up within an Armed Forces family has been easy.  Over the last 18 years, I have lived in 10 different houses, in four different countries.

“In that time, Dad has deployed to the Falkland Islands, Iraq, completed three tours of Afghanistan as well as travelled to 25 other Countries on shorter training jobs.

“Sport has been very much my ‘go to place’ … ‘where I can be supported by my Team, the coaches, and friends’.  I look back on many aspects of my childhood with affection, but it would be strange not to mention the pandemic that fell in the middle of my GCSEs.

“We were based in Germany at the time, it was hard being at School in England with my parents being stuck for long periods Overseas, and travel being reduced to the absolute minimum.

“With regards to the best things, well I go back to my sport, I loved playing lacrosse for Muenster, skiing as a family, and the many and varied opportunities to travel.”

Having pursued her love for sport and recently made her debut for Scotland Under 21’s, Imogen reflects on how it felt to represent her country:

“I was extremely proud to represent Scotland at both the Home International Tournaments in 2022 and 2023.  In addition, I played for my Country in the European Championships, in Prague during the Summer of 2023.”

Imogen has made an impressive start to her international career and was awarded Most Valuable Player for her performance against Israel at the European Championships.

Not only is Imogen keen to pursue further international success, but she aspires to inspire future generations, particularly, girls, to get involved in Lacrosse.

When asked what she would say to peers from armed forces and veteran families, who could also benefit from support from Forces Children Scotland to dream big and pursue their passions, Imogen said:

“Challenge yourself and remember, organisations like Forces Children Scotland are here to help.  Service Families make a huge sacrifice, and it is lovely when this is acknowledged, and people offer a helping hand and more importantly support.

“The grant from the Forces Children Scotland has made a huge difference to me.  Both the European Championships and the World Championships were self-funded; hence every contribution is so important. Thank you so much!”

Describing himself as a #ProudDad, watching Imogen represent Scotland, we asked him to share his thoughts about the importance of charities, like Forces Children Scotland.

He said:

“Military family charities are hugely important.  Forces Children Scotland has been at the forefront of the support being offered to our Service families.

“It has helped hundreds of children and young people from our Armed Forces and Veteran’s families through adaptive courses, sport, adventurous training, and other wellbeing activities.

“It also builds camaraderie and friendship amongst a community of children that has had it tough in so many different ways.  Long may it continue.”

We wish Imogen continued success representing Scotland in the future!

Help us support more young people, like Imogen, from armed forces and veteran families to reach their potential and thrive.