Lacrosse is another sport you can play at an elite level in College, whilst continuing your education. And that is exactly what Sarah Butler did.
Sarah, from New Zealand, begun life as a student-athlete in 2012. She was part of the Longwood University Lacrosse team, where she spent four years bettering herself in an environment which opened up doors for her to have a successful career, representing her country at the highest level – including captaining New Zealand in the 2022 Women’s World Lacrosse Championships!
Now a PE teacher of Lacrosse at Downe House School in England, she is also playing club Lacrosse in London and continuing her international career. I recently sat down to chat with Sarah. We talked about her Lacrosse journey and how the four years she spent as a student-athlete propelled her career.
New Zealand training, in preparation for the 2022 World Cup.
The Journey
At a young age Sarah, and her family, moved to Melbourne, Australia. She started playing Lacrosse at 13 years of age and it was when she was 15 that she really decided to take it seriously. Her club wanted to start a girls junior team which made her realise she wanted to take Lacrosse seriously, pursue a career, and make it her main focus in life – which she has done! During her high school years she attended a specialist sports academy to aid her development as much as possible. It was during this time that she begun looking into the US College pathway.
Sarah decided she wanted to pursue the “American dream” after being inspired by her high school coach, Kirsten Stone (Loyola University Maryland, class of 2008). Kirsten was who Sarah looked up to. She told me how Kirsten would talk about all the different aspects of College life and that inspired her to want to have the same experience! The key thing that stood out to Sarah was the training regime. Twenty hours of practice seemed like a dream for her, and she was determined to make that a reality. Her determination in the sport is what drove this pathway to become a reality, along with opportunity of being able to continue her studies and having a new experience, in a new country.
US College Lacrosse helped Sarah become a better player, and propel her international playing career
Sarah explained how being able to play, practice and train twenty hours a week was the dream for her. It allowed her to fully immerse herself in the game and put in the work where it really mattered, in facilities that really allowed her to do that. Furthermore, playing College Lacrosse transformed her skills – not only individually but her whole Lacrosse IQ improved. Her focus and determination improved, as well as her understanding of what it meant to be part of a team. Her love for the whole game sky rocketed! Now, Sarah is set to travel to Hong Kong to represent New Zealand in the Asia Premier Sixes Tournament and she says she owes a lot of her success to her College career.
When reflecting on life as a student-athlete and what she would tell anyone else looking to pursue this pathway, it was apparent Sarah shares the same thought as I do – go for it! She said she only had positive experiences from her four years at Longwood, from playing College Lacrosse. The support, both athletically and academically, was second to none – not only from her team but the entire university. They’re all behind you wanting you to be successful. However, similarly to myself, some of Sarah’s core memories also came from the overall American experience. The different traditions and holidays leave you with amazing memories, and she’s made friends for life!
Sarah playing for Longwood University. An NCAA Division One school in Virginia.
Life after being a student-athlete
Sarah graduated in 2016. She moved back to New Zealand to spend one more year at Teacher College, continuing her higher education and becoming a qualified teacher. She continued her playing career, as well coaching, at the national and international level. In 2019, Sarah coached the U19 New Zealand team at the World Cup. She says what she learnt at College has enabled her to create her own teaching and coaching philosophy.
Nearly 10 years since graduating, Sarah is training for her fourth World Cup, in Poland 2026 – an opportunity which she firmly believes is largely down to her development in the years spent as a student-athlete.
It was great to chat to Sarah. Not only to get an insight in to her career, but also to hear about how US College gave her some of the best years of her life – like myself and the rest of the Athleticademix team! It goes without saying, we wish Sarah the very best of luck in her upcoming games and tournaments!
Sarah in action for New Zealand vs Hong Kong.
If you’re interested in exploring this pathway, to further your own career whilst earning a degree, get in touch! You can complete our Free Assessment or email me directly daisy@athleticademix.com
You can also read more here about Lacrosse at College.
