 | | | The English National team Photos provided | | | | | | As the World Cup wrapped up in Brazil, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Lacrosse Championships got underway in Denver. Miramonte graduate Josh Roden is competing for England.
Roden's father, Danny, played in four World Championships for England, so lacrosse is in his blood. "One of my earliest memories is carrying the water out at half time for my dad's lacrosse teams," Roden said.
Roden, 26, first moved with his family to Walnut Creek when he was nine and half years old. "Being a new kid and having an accent made me stand out quite a bit," Roden said. "But, I've always been pretty good in new situations."
Stateside, Roden had his first opportunity to play lacrosse for the Lamorinda Club team.
"I'd seen my dad play, played a bit of catch, but playing for Lamorinda Club was my first experience with lacrosse," he said. "We practiced at OIS, so it's funny how that's where we'd end up moving to."
Three years after moving to Walnut Creek, his family relocated again, this time to Durham, NC. "We stayed there for a year and a half then moved to Orinda," he said, just in time for him to begin high school.
While his younger brother was at OIS, and younger sister attended Sleepy Hollow, Roden kept busy at Miramonte, running cross country for two years, playing soccer, participating in drama, and playing varsity lacrosse all four years.
"[Making] varsity my freshman year, I think I was a bit out of my depth. It forced me to get better quickly," Roden said. And alongside his father, he turned himself into a standout.
"Dad was an assistant for my freshman and sophomore years then took over the head coach role," said Roden. "He knows the game inside and out and did a really good job getting everyone to buy into the team."
By the time Roden was a senior, the Mats had become a real contender, and he said there were many great moments.
"We made NCS by beating Acalanes at the end of my senior year which was great; I think that was the first year we made it," he said. "But on a personal level, my proudest moment was being named an All-American that year."
After graduating from Miramonte in 2006, Roden went on to play four years at Chico State. He graduated in 2012 and returned to England to work as a Local Development Officer for English Lacrosse.
"I was working as an LDO for English Lacrosse and playing for Timperley Lacrosse club. I went to an open trial for the National Team," said Roden.
But actually making the team is something Roden never thought possible. "Playing in the World Championships is incredible," he said. "It's been a dream for a long time but one I didn't think was realistic."
With Roden playing attacker, England completed their round robin pool play yesterday. They faced Iroquois National on July 11, losing 15-4. They played Canada on July 12, losing 23-4, and fell to Australia, 10-7, on July 13. The team took on the US on July 14 and Japan yesterday (results posted after press deadline). They hope to make the semifinals on July 17.
Roden's family made the trip to Denver to see him play.
"I grew up hearing all about the games my dad played in, all his lacrosse tours, and to have the chance to play for England at the World Championships, like he did, is really special for me," Roden said.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA