In the heart of Wandsworth is a club which has built a reputation as one of the country’s strongest.
Spencer Lacrosse boasts a community of thriving men’s and women’s teams, as well as an exciting junior section.
Earlier this year, they went unbeaten in Prague to lift the Ken Galluccio Cup and become European club champions – a landmark moment for a sport still growing its profile in the UK.
With lacrosse set for its long-awaited Olympic return at the Los Angeles 2028 games, and Team GB pushing for qualification, players from clubs like Spencer are helping drive both grassroots growth and international ambition.
One of them is Ben Page-Laycock, who represents Spencer, England, and Great Britain, and whose journey reflects a sport powered more by passion than professionalism.
He said: “What drew me to Spencer was the size of the club and how inclusive it is.
“We all train together on a Monday night, it’s a cool culture going on, and each team has a really strong base of players.”
That sense of community proved vital when Spencer travelled to Prague and won on the European stage, with Page-Laycock relishing both the trip and how claiming a continental title raises the sport’s profile.
He said: “We had a great time as a team. We took a whole crowd of people, friends and family, and some of the younger lads that have been playing with us.
“When people see you walking around with [lacrosse] sticks, and it’s on social media, people notice it a little bit more.
“There’s work to be done in terms of getting lacrosse out there, taking people’s preconceptions and showing them that there’s so much going on.
“There’s so much scope that’s untapped at the minute in the media, so I think there’s a lot of work we can do there.”
But while Spencer can celebrate European success, lacrosse in the UK remains an amateur sport, and even the best players have to juggle careers and commitments to stay on the field.
Page-Laycock said: “It’s always been pay to play, and we’ve done it for the love of the sport.
“We have recently got some funding from UK Sport so that’s massive for the lads, but the more we can get awareness, the more funding we can get, the better it’ll be for everyone.
“We can show the world that we’re not professionals, but we’re trying to compete against professionals.
“We’re always just under those teams that have everyone as professional players, and we’re trying to knock at the door and close that gap every time.”
That motivation has only grown now that players can look towards the Olympics, which means the sport may be taken more seriously at elite and grassroots level.
For Page-Laycock, who also works as a coach, the news was a game-changer.
He said: “Getting confirmation of it going to the Olympics was really massive for us, and we’ve got a real target to aim for.
“When you say it’s an Olympic sport, it has much more pull to it and people appreciate it as a sport for what it is, rather than going ‘Lacrosse? What’s that?’.
“It’s difficult to compete with football and rugby, that’s our biggest problem, but working in schools and trying to introduce lacrosse to kids, grow junior programs and help develop elite players, there’s a place for it.”
From leading school coaching sessions to playing at international tournaments, Page-Laycock values putting on his Team GB shirt just as much as inspiring the next generation.
He said: “You always aspire to play at the top level, and that’s what I’ve been lucky enough to do and every time I wear the jersey, it’s an absolute pleasure.
“I coach at these schools, and I go in and say I play for Team GB, and just being that role model, showing people how to become an elite player, I take that responsibility seriously.”
With qualification for the Olympics starting next year, players like Page-Laycock will be key both on the international stage and back home at Spencer in south west London to ensure the sport continues to grow.
Feature image: Courtesy of Spencer Lacrosse
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