Former Welsh lacrosse player, Storm Trentham, achieved a lot in her playing and coaching career in Wales, but the story of how she helped bring the sport to Kenya is nothing short of life changing.
After a successful playing and coaching career in both Wales and briefly in Australia, Trentham had decided she wanted a new challenge. A challenge that led her to Africa.
In 2007, she volunteered for a sports charity in Kenya and every trip to the country, highlighted the fact that the boys had plenty of sports to play, whilst the girls did not.
What began as just taking some lacrosse equipment out there whenever she got the chance, turned into so much more. “I never intended for it to turn into an international setup, it really was just to give the girls something to get involved in”, said Trentham.
“I was still heavily involved with Wales [lacrosse] during these early years so, there was no way I could get involved with two international programmes. It was the 2015 World Cup that changed my thoughts to get it from a recreational sport to making history”.
After years of hard work, over 400 young women have now signed up and are playing lacrosse regularly within Kenya. Not only that but in 2019, Storm and the girls made history when they travelled to the Under 19s World Championships in Canada to compete.
Speaking on the experience in Canada, she said: “Every day was a first for the girls. From using washing machines to toasters, for some going into a big shopping mall and all sorts. So many things we take for granted in the western world, yet for our girls, it was fascinating.
“Once we got to the World Champs venue, the girls were more than celebrities. Everyone wanted to meet them, have photos. Even the likes of the USA and Canada, who were the big guns of the event.
“It was pretty special, and the players deserved every bit of it. What I really loved was that they weren’t just the all-singing, all-dancing Kenya team. When they got on the pitch, and particularly when we narrowly lost to Germany by 1 goal, who finished top 8, that result really made people think ‘wow Kenya are here to play too!’. I was proud of how they conducted themselves in an alien environment and situation.”
After what was a life-changing experience in Canada, the girls are now aiming to compete at the next World Championships in 2022, which will take place in Shamrock, Ireland.
Storm’s work has saved the lives of so many young girls. Girls whose lives now revolve around the sport, and this can be seen from the pride that each and every one of them radiate.
From Wales to Kenya, she cannot say enough nice words about her experiences. “I’d take being in Kenya, in our slums, with these kids over any 5* holiday, I’d rather give a child a year of school fees than receive birthday presents, etc, it just changes your mindset as to what is important in life.
“It makes you realise that so many people need support, and not in a huge way, but we can really change lives, without really having to change ours.
“The kids of Kenya have impacted my life more than I have impacted theirs and I’m truly grateful for each and every one of these players in my life.”
Ben Evans Portfolio 