Keeping all the balls in the air

By Laura Kenworthy 2min read

Many people find the PGCE year exhausting: a bit of a juggling act, involving a lot of running around in small circles. But for Jocelyn Robinson, this has been more literal than for most. The 29-year-old former events manager has spent the past year combining her intensive teacher training with preparing for the Lacrosse World Championship.

Taking place in Maryland, USA from 30 June, the championships bring together 30 international teams to compete at the highest level.  Jocelyn, who grew up in the Wirral, has played for Wales since the age of 15.

“I played at school, and then joined a local club,” she says. “It offered lots of sports, and tapped into great systems. When I was 15 I went for trials and the Welsh team just felt right. They're like my family now." 

Jocelyn continued playing lacrosse while studying Politics and American Studies at Swansea University. A year abroad at Colorado State University “reignited my love for the game”.

“We were treated as athletes. We trained in the morning pre-lectures five times a week.”

The combination of mental and physical demands has always been part of lacrosse’s appeal.

“It’s the speed of the game. I’m a mid-fielder, and you have to be able to run! Also it’s very tactical and technical. It’s good for my brain!”

After graduating, Jocelyn worked as an events manager for Saracens Rugby, balancing the job with a continuing commitment to her sport. Last autumn, she began the PGCE History course at Homerton, simultaneously becoming heavily involved in the Cambridge lacrosse scene, playing for the University team as a Player/Coach, gaining her Blue, and taking part in UCAPP, the University of Cambridge Athlete Performance Programme.

“You’re monitored and watched all the time in the PGCE course. It’s quite full on so, although the year leading up to the World Championships is intense, lacrosse has been a great energy release.”

Jocelyn received a £500 Horobin Sports Fund Award from Homerton towards the cost of taking part in the World Championships, a contribution which made it possible for her to attend.

“The award went to the cost of the flights, and made a huge difference. Homerton has been so supportive.”