Building Community Through Lacrosse: An Interview with Nuneaton Men’s Captain Ben Littlewood

Ben Littlewood, unusually with a short pole in the 25/26 season.

Lacrosse in the Midlands has been steadily growing, and one club at the heart of that development is

Nuneaton Lacrosse Club. Based just outside Coventry, the club now fields two men’s teams, a women’s team, and mixed sides — a far cry from its humble beginnings of just a few players throwing a ball around in the park.

We sat down with Ben Littlewood, captain of the men’s first team, to hear more about the club’s journey, its successes, and its ambitions for the

future.

From Throw-Arounds to a Thriving Club

Nuneaton members enjoying a picture together after their May sixes competition

Nuneaton Lacrosse was born when Chris White, a key figure in Midlands lacrosse, moved to the area and put a call out online to see who fancied a game. “It was just three or four lads having a throw around in the park,” Ben recalls. “From there, it steadily grew.”

Fast forward to today, and the club trains weekly at Keresley RFC on the north side of Coventry. With strong links to the rugby community, the club has become a fixture in local sport, sharing facilities and socials with the rugby club. “It’s really nice being part of a bigger community,” says Ben.

A Club Built on Stability and Community

Unlike many university-based clubs, Nuneaton has a strong core of permanent members, giving it a consistent identity. The club also celebrates longevity — after five years, members are named Honorary Vice Presidents, a recognition that keeps alumni connected.

“We try to be as welcoming as possible,” Ben explains. “Whether you’re someone who just wants to train and come to socials, or a highly competitive player, there’s space for everyone.”

Proud Moments on the Pitch

When asked about standout memories, Ben doesn’t hesitate: winning the Minor Flags tournament a few years ago. “It was such a good run, and lifting that trophy was unforgettable. The coach ride home was one to remember!”

Nuneaton LC lifting the midlands cup in the 24/25 season

Last season was another highlight. The men’s first team went undefeated in the Midlands League and put in a strong showing in the Intermediate Flags competition, falling to a tough Walcountian side. “It was good to test ourselves at that level. We’re really excited for the upcoming season.”

Players to Watch

Ben highlighted a few standouts from the squad:

• Charlie Allen – “An absolute wall in goal. He used to play pole, so he reads the game brilliantly.”

• Reece McNamara – “An engine in midfield, hustling for every ground ball and putting constant pressure on.”

• Carl Maitland – “A nightmare to defend against. He keeps you moving and can either sting a shot or feed a teammate.”

He also points to Will Monks, fresh from representing Wales at the European Championships, as one of the club’s newest and brightest young prospects.

More Than Just Lacrosse

A typical evening post-training at Nuneaton LC!

Community is central to Nuneaton Lacrosse. From pub golf to go-karting, from fireworks nights at the rugby club to post-game pints, the social side is just as important as the competition.

And while the club is still young, volunteers play a huge role. Chris White not only runs the club but also manages the entire Midlands Lacrosse League, while others like Charlie and Annie have been instrumental in developing the inaugural women’s league, Caity and Alex running sixes tournaments with international teams participating and people like Jamie, Jess and Izzy who continue to create social events for the  enjoyment of the club.

Looking Ahead

Short term, the goal is clear: retain the Midlands League title and push deeper into the Flags competition. Long term, the focus is on gradual growth, especially supporting the women’s side and developing future talent.

A dream for the future? Growing the game even further. With the inaugural women’s midlands league opening this season, Ben highlights a dream that would be incredible for the future. A Midlands junior league. “We’ve never had one,” Ben says, “but it would be amazing to get to the point where local clubs can field youth teams against each other.”

Why Join Nuneaton?

For Ben, the answer is simple: “Lacrosse gave me a real sense of community when I moved here. I’ve made friends, had something to work towards, and had loads of fun doing it. There’s no pressure — whether you want to play every week, join the mixed team, or just come along to socials, you’ll be welcome.”

Nuneaton Lacrosse has come a long way from its humble beginnings, and under the leadership of players like Ben and the tireless work of volunteers, it continues to grow. Whether you’re an experienced player or brand new to the sport, there’s a place waiting for you in the Nuneaton lacrosse family.

Full interview below (Transcript)

Transcript:

Interview with Nuneaton Men’s Captain, Ben Littlewood

Interviewer: Hi Ben, thanks for joining us. Can you start by telling us a little bit about Nuneaton Lacrosse Club?

Ben Littlewood: Of course. Nuneaton Lacrosse Club was originally based in Nuneaton, but we’re now closer to Coventry. We currently have two men’s teams competing in the Midlands League, with our first team also playing in the Southern Flags Intermediate competition. We’ve fielded mixed sides in the past, and our women’s team has just started competing in the Midlands Women’s League.

Interviewer: Where are you based and when do you usually train?

Ben: We’re based at Keresley RFC, just north of Coventry. Training takes place on Wednesday evenings. In the summer, it’s usually from 6:30–8:00pm, and in the winter we move under the floodlights from 7:00–8:30pm.

Interviewer: Does the club have a mission or philosophy that drives it?

Ben: Not formally, but our aim is to be as welcoming as possible. We cater for all types of players — from social members who come to the odd training session and enjoy the socials, to highly competitive players who want to play regularly. It’s about making sure everyone has a place.

Interviewer: What makes Nuneaton unique compared to other clubs in the region?

Ben: We’re built around a core of permanent members rather than a transient student base. That consistency creates a strong identity and lasting friendships. We also have a tradition where members who reach five years are made Honorary Vice Presidents, which helps recognise long-term commitment.

Interviewer: How did the club get started?

Ben: It began a few years before I joined. Chris White moved to the area and organised a throw-around in the park. Just three or four people came along, but from there it steadily grew into what we have today.

Interviewer: How has the club progressed since then?

Ben: In the early days, games relied on borrowing players just to make up numbers. Now we have over 30 players also registered with the rugby club, plus many more social and mixed members. On Facebook, we’ve got around 150 members, but our regular playing base is closer to 60–70. We now field two men’s teams, one women’s team, and also play mixed lacrosse.

Interviewer: What does your partnership with Keresley RFC bring to the club?

Ben: It’s been brilliant. We moved there about four years ago, and since then we’ve been able to use their pitches and facilities for both training and matches. Beyond that, we’ve become part of their community, joining in with events like fireworks nights. It’s great to be part of something bigger than just our own club.

Interviewer: What has been your proudest moment as a club?

Ben: For me, it has to be winning the Minor Flags a few years ago. The run we had was incredible, and lifting the trophy at Horsham was a highlight. The coach ride back was unforgettable!

Interviewer: How did last season go?

Ben: Really well. We went undefeated in the Midlands League, which was a fantastic achievement. In the Intermediate Flags we came up against a very strong Walcountian side, who are now in the Southern Premier League, and although we lost, it was a great experience to compete at that level.

Interviewer: How are you feeling about the upcoming season?

Ben: Excited. Summer always makes things a bit stop-start with people away on holiday, but we’ve been building momentum recently with friendlies and strong training sessions. The squad looks great, and I’m looking forward to both the league and the Flags.

Interviewer: Where do your players typically come from, and what’s their background in lacrosse?

Ben: It’s a real mix. Some are university students who return home in the holidays, but most are people who learned the game at university and then moved to the area. What’s nice is that we’ve attracted players who thought they might stop after uni. Our schedule — league games not being every week and friendlies being flexible — allows people to keep playing without huge pressure.

Interviewer: Can you highlight a few standout players from your squad?

Ben: Sure.

• Charlie Allen (Goalkeeper): An absolute wall in goal. He used to play defence, which gives him great insight into how attackers move.

• Reece McNamara (Midfield): A real engine. He fights for every ground ball and constantly puts opponents under pressure.

• Carl England (Attack): Very difficult to defend. He keeps defenders moving and can both finish and feed.

We’ve also got Will Monks, who’s recently represented Wales at the European Championships. He’s still young and developing, but already an excellent addition.

Interviewer: How important is the social side to your club?

Ben: Very. We don’t play every week, so socials really help keep people connected. Whether it’s pub golf, bowling, go-karting, or simply a pint in the clubhouse after training, the social atmosphere is a big part of what we do.

Interviewer: Do you run youth or development programmes?

Ben: Not until recently. We’ve had a few juniors in the past, but outreach is something we’re beginning to explore a little more seriously now. With links to Warwick and De Montfort universities and people like Alex Kelly doing school outreach, there’s potential to grow youth lacrosse in the area.

Interviewer: What role do volunteers and coaches play in the club’s success?

Ben: A huge role. Chris White in particular does an enormous amount — from coaching, to organising fixtures, to running the entire Midlands League. On the women’s side, Charlie and Annie have done fantastic work building the programme. Others like Caity and Alex have also put in a lot of effort organising tournaments and events, with Izzy, Jess and Jamie doing a lot around the social side too. It’s very much a team effort behind the scenes.

Interviewer: What are your short- and long-term goals for the club?

Ben: Short term, we want to retain the Midlands League title and push further in the Flags — ideally reaching the semi-finals or final. Long term, it’s about steady growth. We’d like the women’s side to play more regularly and both men’s teams to continue improving. A dream would be establishing junior lacrosse in the Midlands. We’ve never had a junior league here, and it would be amazing to see that one day.

Interviewer: Finally, why should new players or supporters join Nuneaton Lacrosse?

Ben: Speaking from personal experience, the club offers a real sense of community. When I moved to the area, lacrosse gave me friendships, goals to work towards, and a balance alongside work life. Whether you want to play competitively, socially, or just try something new, you’ll be welcomed.