Eastside. New team started up by parents in the Samammish/Bellevue area. Parent initiator Jessanne Allen reports that 18 girls are committed to playing and there may be more. Eastside has been awarded ten new STX sticks.

Seattle Girls School. Nearly the entire school is trying out for the squad! Coach Sarah Bergman reports that the 32 students (all 6th graders) at this new school have expressed serious interest in lacrosse. SGS has been awarded ten new STX sticks and a pair of goals and nets.

5 New Boys Youth Teams Awarded New Start Program Grants

The Washington Chapter of US Lacrosse announced this week that 5 new Youth Teams were awarded new equipment grants to begin the 2002 Season. These new teams were provided new goals, nets, 5 sticks and 4 pairs of gloves to help offset the costs of starting their new teams that will compete in the Washington State Youth Lacrosse League.

"The growth of lacrosse in the state of Washington is very exciting" said Matt Hipps, Youth Development Director for the Washington Chapter of US Lacrosse. " These new equipment grants will help these dedicated programs get started for the upcoming season where 10 teams will compete in the league."

Teams that were awarded the grants:

West Bellevue Lax

The West Bellevue Youth Lacrosse team has formed for the 2002 season. The team was encouraged to begin play this season due to the large amount of interest in West Bellevue. Historically, these boys have played on the established Mercer Island Youth team who has grown to such levels that they could no longer take players from other areas. West Bellevue already has 25 boys interested in playing. Head coach for the team is Ryan Maskill - the parent coordinator for the team is Nikette Pujalet .

Maple Valley Youth

Lacrosse began in Maple Valley at the HS level 3 years ago. The growth has been tremendous with 3 teams of over 50 HS kids participating in the 2001 season. To further support the growth and begin a feeder system for the HS teams, Maple Valley has started a Youth team for the 2002 season. There are already over 30 Youths signed up to participate. The head coaches for the new team are: Travis Cornelsion and Weston Butt, the parent Coordinator is Mark Conelison

North Kitsap Youth Lacrosse

Based in Poulbo, the North Kitsap Youth Lacrosse club has organized for the 2002 season. The team hopes to become a feeder program for a HS team that plans for form for the 2003 season. Head coach for the team is: Brian O'Connor The team already has a great web site: www.nklax.org

North Seattle Youth Lacrosse

Bellevue Youth Lacrosse

A group has formed of 4-5-6th graders who will practice and scrimmage on Sunday mornings this coming spring in Bellevue. The team will be coached by veteran Seattle area club player Steve Wisman. The parent organizer for the team is Lodie Grub. To view their site: Click Here