Irwin Mitchell Offers Donation

A Sheffield teenager will have the opportunity to join the best lacrosse players in the country on a trip to the USA, after law firm Irwin Mitchell upheld its longstanding commitment to sport in the city by donating his tournament fees.

Adam Jordan will travel to Philadelphia on the 25th June 2011 to compete with the Knight’s Elite Lacrosse Squad in the Gait Cup, after he was chosen following his participation in the World Championships last summer.

The 16-year-old was handpicked to join the squad, which is only open to the country’s best young athletes, and will now fly out to Philadelphia to compete internationally after Irwin Mitchell offered a donation to cover his tournament fees.

The law firm has a history of assisting Sheffield sport with longstanding clients in the city such as Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and Sheffield International Venues.

Adam, from Crookes, Sheffield, has been playing lacrosse since he was eight-years-old and even represented the England U17s Academy at the World Championships last summer.  He is also part of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme.

He said: “To be chosen to play for the Knight’s Elite Lacrosse Squad is a dream come true and I can’t wait to go to Philadelphia to test my skills in one of the most high-calibre and gruelling tournaments in the world.

“To go out and play in these tournaments costs so much, especially when you have to travel to another country, so I really can’t thank Irwin Mitchell enough for their donation. I may not have been able to make it without their support.”

Adam now hopes the experience he gains while competing in America will help him develop his game to the next level, and even dreams of being selected for a scholarship if he is seen by scouts at the tournament.

David Urpeth, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Adam with his trip to Philadelphia and I really hope the experience will stand him in good stead for the future.

“Irwin Mitchell is committed to supporting the local community and has a tradition of helping local sports clubs. As such, we are pleased we have been able to help Adam realise one of his dreams.”