Brighton lacrosse team features eight players related to teammate

BRIGHTON lacrosse players have long considered the Bombers a family club. Their men’s division two team is proof – eight players and the coach are related to at least one teammate.

25/06/2015 Brighton Lacrosse Club's division two team members L-R Ian Williams his son inlaw Christian LeRay and grandson Khi Wiliams 14, John Mathwin and his nephew Jai Raymond and Shannon Lim and his son Arlen Lim 13 . Pic Mark Brake

BRIGHTON lacrosse players have long considered the Bombers a family club.

Their men’s division two team is proof – eight players and the coach are related to at least one teammate.

There are three main families – the Mathwins, Williamses and Lims.

John Mathwin coaches his brother Peter and nephew Jai Raymond, Ian Williams is teammates with his son-in-law Christian LeRay and grandson Khi Williams, and Arlen Lim plays alongside his dad Shannon.

“For some people a club is a family so to have your family members play with you inside such a close-knit club is something that is pretty rare,” Shannon, 40, says.

“The majority of juniors here come in because their parents or family members are playing the sport.

“To actually see them going through the junior ranks then eventually play with you is fantastic for any club.”

Shannon says he never expected to play in the same team as Arlen, 13, but it happened earlier this season.

“It was a special moment to run onto the ground for the first game with him.

“He’s had a lacrosse stick in his hand since he was young. He scored a goal.”

Raymond has been at Brighton for more than two decades after following his uncle Peter into the sport.

“It's a fabulous family club with the right sort of environment you’d want your kids at,” Raymond says.

“There’s a real camaraderie at trainings.”

The Bombers are top of division two and gunning for a premiership after losing back-to-back grand finals.

“We’re getting sick of being bridesmaids,” Raymond says.