Tukwila, WA – The Space Needle Shootout, the largest lacrosse tournament in the Northwest, returns to Starfire Sports in Tukwila with over 60 teams, this Friday for the weekend, rain or shine.

The shootout, known as a evenly split Canadian-American tournament, boasts teams from Washington, Oregon, Utah, British Columbia, Maryland and Montana, and showcases lacrosse from U-12 teams through U-18 teams.  In it’s seventh year, the shootout begins Friday at 5 p.m., with opening games in all four age divisions.

The Shootout grew seemingly instantaneously from a 12-team local gathering to today’s 64-team international event.  Hosted by the Seattle Starz organization, it’s become a fixture in the winter lacrosse schedule.

“We created the Shootout just to provide an event in December that kids can play in,” said Fred Wilmot, the tournament founder. “I think we all were amazed when it started growing – I mean, who wants to come to Seattle in December?  But now, we’re consistently getting top teams from across the border and across the country. The shootout helps develop American field players to compete with talented box players on the same field.  I think they both learn something from each other.”

The Canadian invasion will be the story of the 2010 Shootout, since, in the ’09 event, teams from Canada packed the finals in every division, filling all eight berths.  This year the teams from Victoria, PacRim and New West all return to defend their crowns and prove that it was no fluke.  Follow the Seattle Starz Elite after a 5-1 East coast tear, and a handful of Division I hopefuls take on friendly rivals the South Sound Starz, and Oregon’s best as they try to unseat B.C. as the reigning region of Lacrosse.

“One of the most beneficial things for players playing in the Shootout is the competition between Canadian and American styles of field lacrosse”, said Doug Locker, NLL Washington Stealth General Manager. “The impact of Canadian players on the NCAA field game is no longer a novel trend, it’s an established fact. The Space Needle Shootout provides an opportunity to expose that lacrosse style to players who do not have a box lacrosse background.”

In addition to the plethora of talented teams, and fans descending on Tukwila, Warrior Lacrosse will be hosting three clinics over the course of the weekend, Breakaway Sports will have all the latest gear, and the Washington Stealth will host the coaches in a Saturday night social.  Come see why some of the best talent in B.C. comes down to battle in the crucible of the new lacrosse cradle.  Find out why box skills in the field game is rapidly becoming the gateway to college lacrosse.  The shootout will also have film of the weekend posted with our friends at InsideLacrosse and of course, here at Walax.com.  Stay tuned for stats, scores , pictures and video throughout the weekend and after.

Walax.com is the premier provider of Lacrosse events, camps, clinics, and leagues in Washington.  For more information please contact info@walax.com or go to http://www.walax.com for details.

Thanks to Michael Kennett with the Washington Stealth for passing this along to me in a press release – budding lacrosse players, check this out!

Everett, Wash – The National Lacrosse League’s 2010 Champions Cup title holders Washington Stealth have teamed up with Walax.com, the leading source of lacrosse information in the northwest, for the first installment of the Stealth Lacrosse Academy.  Stealth coaches and players will be on hand to instruct Puget Sound lacrosse players for an eight-week indoor lacrosse training program beginning September 11.

Participants in this session of the Stealth Lacrosse Academy include Head Coach Chris Hall, and players Jason Bloom, Rhys Duch, Chris O’Dougherty and Lewis Ratcliff. The fall training camp is open to youth (grades 5/6), middle school (grades 7/8) and high school (grades 9-12) lacrosse players.

Ratcliff, a nine-year NLL veteran and 2010 Champion’s Cup MVP, will be taking on the role of floor director for the Stealth Lacrosse Academy Indoor Lacrosse Training Camp.  “I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with the Stealth to bring the great game of indoor lacrosse to the Puget Sound Region,” said Ratcliff.

The sessions will take place at Woodinville Indoor Soccer Center, located at 12728 N.E. 178th Street, Woodinville, WA 98072.  They will begin on September 11 and continue every Saturday until October 30.  The final session will consist of a playoff, with the emphasis on selecting a junior Stealth squad to compete with other junior teams in the United States and Canada.

The Stealth and Walax.com have provided youth and high school lacrosse players with numerous field lacrosse clinics throughout the Puget Sound, but this will be the first in-depth session solely focused on teaching and playing the indoor game.

“We have been planning for the launch of the Stealth Lacrosse Academy since we arrived in Washington,” said Stealth President David Takata.  “Through the Academy, we will ensure that the region’s lacrosse players will receive top-notch instruction from professionals with a proven track record of building athletes in a challenging, but fun environment .”

Youth players will receive 20 hours of professional indoor lacrosse training for just $250.  High school players get 12 hours of training for just $150.  In conjunction with the announcement of the Stealth Lacrosse Academy, the region’s leading lacrosse gear retailer, Breakaway Sports, is offering special box lacrosse equipment at more than 30% off regular retail prices for players enrolled in the training camp.

For more information on the Stealth Indoor Lacrosse Camp, visit www.stealthlax.com.  A registration form is available at www.walax.com.

The Washington Stealth professional lacrosse team resigned Mercer Island resident Jason Bloom to another season. The captain had 111 loose balls in 2010 and scored 11 points on two goals and nine assists, despite being a largely defensive player. The team won the National Title this past season in their first season in Everett.

According to a press release from the team: “Having our Captain Jason Bloom amongst our first group of signings was very important to our organization,” said Stealth General Manager Doug Locker.  “Jason is an exceptionally talented player who provides stability on and off the floor.  He is a natural leader and we could not be happier to have him with us again this coming season.”

For more on the Stealth visit their homepage.

This was passed along to me by the Stealth’s media people. If you are interested check out the contact information on the bottom.

Two-day Event Kicks Off Saturday Night with UMBC’s Kelly Berger

Everett, Wash. – Since the Washington Stealth moved to Everett from San Jose, Calif., last summer, their mission has been to assist with the growth of lacrosse in the Northwest. The Stealth has put together a number of boys’ lacrosse clinics and camps throughout the Puget Sound Region with many more in the works. This weekend, the Stealth will give both the girls’ and boys’ lacrosse players in the area the chance to learn from the best in their sport.

The Stealth, in conjunction with WALAX, present the first installment of the “Stealth’s Speaker Series” this Saturday with the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach, Kelly Berger. Entitled “Playing at the Next Level”, Berger’s presentation will prepare local girls’ lacrosse players for the level of play in college and what college coaches look for during the recruitment process. The presentation is free and open to the public. It will take place from 6pm-7pm on Saturday, April 24th at the Oakes Room at the Holiday Inn located at 3105 Pine St., Everett, WA 98201.

“We’re excited to launch the ‘Stealth’s Speaker Series’ and support the continued growth of girls’ lacrosse in the Northwest,” said Stealth General Manager Doug Locker. “Having our first speaker be one with a resume as impressive as Kelly’s provides a great opportunity for the girls’ lacrosse players in the area.”

Berger is in her first season as the Head Coach of the NCAA Division I UMBC program after spending two seasons as an assistant. She excelled as a player at James Madison University, where she was a two-time team captain and three-time leading scorer. She was twice named All-American and three-time All-South Region selection. Her senior season, Berger was a Tewaaraton Trophy finalist, an award given to the nation’s top lacrosse player. She has also spent time as a member of the U.S. National Team.

Along with her presentation on Saturday night, Berger will be running a girls’ lacrosse clinic at The Overlake School in Redmond, Wash., on Sunday, April 25th. From 9am-10:30am, Berger will provide instruction to local girls’ lacrosse players on all aspects of the game. The clinic is also free and open to all ages.

“It’s fantastic for the girls’ lacrosse programs in the area to have the support of the Stealth,” said The Overlake School’s girls’ lacrosse Head Coach Sue Haviland. “To have a Division I Head Coach here to speak to the girls and teach them on the field is great for the growth of the game in our area.”

While the girls get instruction from one of the nation’s top coaches, the boys will get an opportunity to learn shooting skills from two of the National Lacrosse League’s best shooters. Paul Rabil and Lewis Ratcliff will be at The Overlake School to put on a shooting clinic for boys lacrosse at the same time. The shooting clinic is also free and open to the public.

“It’s all about community,” said Overlake’s boys’ lacrosse Head Coach Henry Valentine. “I’m thrilled that the Stealth has kept their word and are continuing to grow the game. We’re very excited that The Overlake School will be working with them on this.”

The Overlake School is located at 20301 NE 108th Street, Redmond, WA 98053. For more information on the events this weekend, contact Stealth Director of Communications Michael Kennett at (425) 322-2633 or at mkennett@stealthlax.com.

The Washington Stealth professional lacrosse team captains, Jason Bloom (a Mercer Island resident) and Jamison Koesterer sent out this letter via press release about the team’s upcoming playoff chances.

Dear Washington Lacrosse Community,

As you are probably aware, we’re putting together a great inaugural season here in Washington.  Speaking on behalf of our teammates, we all feel very fortunate to be playing in front of some amazing fans, and in a state where lacrosse is absolutely taking off.  All of the pieces are in place, and we are playing some of our best lacrosse of the season.

The Stealth has a phenomenal opportunity this Saturday to secure first place overall in the National Lacrosse League, and play all of our playoff games in front of you at home!  We have our sights on a Championship season, and are gearing up for another huge game this Saturday at the Comcast Arena at Everett against our archrivals, the Edmonton Rush.

There is no doubt about it, this is the biggest game of the season; winning this game will not only lock up a West Division Title, but more importantly it will also give us the best record in the NLL and keep us at home for all of our playoff games in front of you, our dedicated fans!  Please help us spread the word to the community- to your friends, family members, lacrosse fans and simply just fans of any sport.

We’re looking for another huge and boisterous turnout this Saturday and we need you to help us make Comcast Arena one of the most intimidating buildings for opposing teams to play.  Your energy is contagious, so let’s pack the place this weekend and show the lacrosse world what Washington lacrosse is all about!

See you Saturday,

Jason Bloom & Jamison Koesterer

Visit the Slealth’s Web site for more details on the team, tickets and schedules.

Here’s press release from Michael Kennett with the Washington Stealth lacrosse team. If you are heading up to the game, make sure to take donation and if you don’t have any other plans for that night, why not take in a professional sporting event and help the community out at the same time?

Everett, Wash. – On Friday, Feb. 19, the Washington Stealth will be holding a food drive and fundraiser to benefit Northwest Harvest during its game against the Calgary Roughnecks at the Comcast Arena.  Northwest Harvest and its 300+ partner food banks across the state of Washington provide nutritious food to those in need, and this weekend will be another opportunity to help.

“We are excited to begin this partnership and work with the Stealth for a long time,” said Cherry Street Food Bank Manager, Matt Campbell, who is in his third year with Northwest Harvest.  “We hope people will come out and support the team and help out Northwest Harvest in the process.”

Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Northwest Harvest.  Monetary donations will also be accepted.  The Stealth will also be making a $5,000 donation to Northwest Harvest at halftime.  Fans can also bid on autographed Stealth merchandise and prize packages during the game, with all the proceeds benefitting Northwest Harvest.

The event gives Northwest Harvest a chance to further broaden its reach throughout the state of Washington.  “We have food banks across the state, including a number of banks in Snohomish County,” added Campbell, “but we haven’t held too many events in Everett.  The Stealth are getting noticed up there and they provide a great avenue to help out the community.”

Northwest Harvest receives no city, county, state, or federal funding for operating expenses and relies solely on contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and other organizations.

The Stealth take on the defending National Lacrosse League Champion Calgary Roughnecks on Friday at the Comcast Arena at Everett.  The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.  Tickets start at just $13 and can be purchased by calling 877-MY-75-TIX or at www.stealthlax.com.

Mercer Island local and member of the Washington Stealth professional lacrosse team, Jason Bloom, has been named a captain for the team with Cam Sedgwick and Kyle Sorensen named assistant captains.
Jason, who is in his fourth year as an National Lacrosse League player, previously playing for Boston and Colorado, grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia.
I had the chance to interview Jason a couple of weeks ago at his ‘other’ job as a real estate professional in downtown Bellevue. He was great to talk to and really gave me a sense of just how accessible lacrosse is at the professional level (a goal of most teams, players and the league in general).
During the 2009 season with the Boston Blazers, Jason played in 16 games, had 13 goals, 10 assists and earned 23 points for the team, all while commuting for games and practices from Florida, where he was finishing his master’s degree.
In a press release sent out by the Stealth head coach Chris Hall said “Jason was an obvious choice for us” and that he has shown exceptional leadership qualities during the short time he’s been with the team (Jason was an offseason acquisition to the team this summer).
The Washington Stealth kick off their season Jan. 9 at Comcast Arena in Everett, taking on Colorado Mammoth (Jason’s old team) in the first professional lacrosse regular season game in Washington state.
Check out www.stealthlax.com for more information on the upcoming season.