Pride, Passion and Team GB: LEH Alumnae Bound for Tokyo

Hannah Thurston, Class of 2018, Cece Green, Class of 2018, and Charlie Wilson, Class of 2019, are set to represent Team GB Lacrosse at the upcoming World Cup in Tokyo, taking place in July 2026, marking a significant milestone in their sporting journeys and a moment of real pride for the LEH community. For alumnae following their progress, it is a striking reminder of how far the journey from school sport can reach, from the playing fields of LEH to the global arena. 

All three are part of a remarkable generation of LEH lacrosse talent who came through the school during a standout era of success, including the unforgettable National Schools Lacrosse Championship-winning squad of 2018. That team, featuring Thurston, Green and Wilson among others, set a benchmark for excellence within the programme and has since gone on to produce multiple England and Great Britain internationals. The standards, culture and ambition of that group continue to echo through LEH lacrosse today, supported by a high-performance environment including our very own Director of Performance Sport and Team GB Lacrosse Women’s Performance Lead, Richard Lalor, who states: 

“It’s amazing to have three LEH alumnae in one squad – it’s a real inspiration for current LEH students! With Tokyo this summer and the first-ever Sixes European Championship in Salou this November, it’s a very exciting time for lacrosse!” 

What makes their achievements even more striking is the way they reflect the wider ethos of LEH itself. The school encourages pupils to be bold and undaunted in their ambitions, to embrace challenge, and to take responsibility for their own growth. Central to the LEH values are ideas such as choosing to succeed, rising to challenges, lifting those around you, and encouraging personal agency. These principles are clearly visible in the journeys of these three alumnae, as they balance elite sport with demanding professional lives. 

All three women now combine full-time professional careers with international lacrosse, training at an elite level while working in highly demanding roles during the day. Their commitment reflects not only talent, but an exceptional level of discipline, resilience and independence, echoing LEH’s belief in developing confident young women who are prepared to make an impact in the world. 

For Hannah Thurston, the World Cup in Tokyo represents the latest chapter in a journey defined by both high performance and sustained development. After leaving LEH, she continued her lacrosse and academic career at Duke University in the United States, competing in the highly competitive NCAA Division I system while balancing demanding studies. Her progression into the senior England and Great Britain set-up began early through age-group international representation, before earning her senior debut in recent years. 

Charlie Wilson’s journey reflects a similarly impressive trajectory. Also part of that same successful LEH cohort, she has grown into a consistent presence within the England and Great Britain set-up, recognised for her composure, reliability and ability to perform on the international stage. Earlier this year, she presented the winning LEH 1st Lacrosse Team with their National Schools Lacrosse Championship trophy, marking a meaningful connection between her own school legacy and the next generation of LEH players. 

Cece Green, meanwhile, has combined international lacrosse with a parallel professional career, reflecting the modern dual-pathway athlete. Since leaving LEH, she has progressed through the England pathway from age-group representation to senior international honours, while also working as an analyst in the environmental sector. Speaking with pride about her daughter’s achievements, Cece’s mother, Tanya, said: “They are a credit to LEH.” Her journey reflects both ambition and balance, qualities that were evident even during her school years and continue to define her approach to sport and life beyond it. 

In Tokyo, the trio will compete against the world’s strongest lacrosse nations in a tournament defined by speed, physicality and technical precision. Every match will demand adaptability, trust and composure under pressure, with margins at international level as fine as they are unforgiving. 

Beyond the competition itself, the experience represents something more enduring. It highlights not only how rapidly women’s lacrosse continues to grow internationally, but also how far this group has come since their early days in school sport. From National Schools Lacrosse Championship finals to senior international selection, their journeys reflect years of commitment, early mornings and a shared love of the game that began long before Tokyo. 

For the LEH community, seeing alumnae progress from school teams to representing Great Britain is both inspiring and affirming. It reflects the strength of the school’s sporting pathway and its values-led approach, where ambition, courage and mutual support are actively nurtured. As Hannah, Cece and Charlie prepare for Tokyo, they do so carrying years of dedication, development and experience, alongside the pride of representing both their country and a school community that continues to follow their journey with admiration. 

Chris Summers, Head of Lacrosse, says: 

“LEH is proud of our alumnae Charlie, Hannah and Cece, who are representing Team GB and provide our students with role models. To see LEH alumni playing at the highest level of international sport provides our current students with optimism and motivation that they could reach that level.” 

We wish them the very best of luck and look forward to watching them compete in Tokyo this summer.