The Hope Behind the Washington Games
I’ve just come back from the Washington Games that took place today at Marymoor Park and it was really refreshing to see people out on the field just enjoying and celebrating the game. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen regularly but when you think about what the Washington Games represent then it’s perfect that the games worked out the way they did.
Initially the plan was to run a 16 team tournament with the games split between 5/6 and 7/8 boy’s teams. Although the signup was great, a number of teams unfortunately dropped out due to player’s summer plans. We had considered cancelling the event but sat and thought about what we were trying to achieve. This wasn’t mean to be the most competitive tournament in WA, it was about bringing together teams in an Olympic style games but also keep the ‘friendship games’ type feel.
Instead, today a smaller event took place, with teams playing each other in a competitive but very cool environment, a real feel of love for lacrosse and just a friendly environment for players and fans. All the players left with a special edition t-shirt and medal for competing and I think at the end of the day winning was good but taking part was even better.
The WA games has several purposes – The vision for the games is to be recognized as one of the finest amateur sporting events in the NW, one of the best state games in the country and an effective sports marketing tool for youth obesity prevention in Washington. Currently there are 40 states that host a state games, and as a result hundreds of thousands of young sportsmen and women between 8 and 18 will be showcasing their amazing abilities around the country.
Everyone who attended today was completely surprised just how much effort has been put into the statewide Washington Games and the number of sports that are taking part (over 20 in all). The feedback was what a great idea it was and the hope that it will grow year after year. I personally would like to thank Ralph Morton and his team at the Seattle Sports Commission for reaching out to lacrosse and inviting us to be part of this very special event.
We were very proud to have been part of his huge countrywide initiative and can’t wait to create a much larger tournament next year that will encompass both girls and boys in the youth and HS levels. Let’s come together again next June and show not only WA but other states around the US just what Washington lacrosse has to offer.
This was the first major weekend of events for the overall Washington Games with many more taking place between now and the first weekend in August. If you have some free time and are looking for something to do, why not check out some of these other great WA game sports:
Archery – July 19at Skookum Archery Club
Badminton July 18-20 at Mercer Island Community Ctr
Baseball July 24-27 at various locations
Fencing July 19-20 at Rain City Fencing
Figure Skating July 10-13 at Olympic view Arena
Golf (was June 29-30)
Gymnastics (was July 12)
Inline skating July 13 at Skatebarn West
Karate July 26 at Edmonds CC
Lacrosse (was July 12)
Rowing July 19 at Lake Stevens
Skateboarding July 13 at Skatebarn West
Soccer July 30-Aug 2 at Starfire Sports
Softball July 17-20 at various locations
Squash July 18-20 at Pro Sports Club
Swimming I (was July 10-12)
Swimming II July 18-20 at Coleman Pool
Tennis (was July 5-6)
Track and Field I July 12-13 at West Seattle Stadium
Track and Field II July 16 at Shoreline CC
Ultimate Frisbee July 12-13 at Magnusson Park
Weightlifting July 19 at Reed Sports Complex
Wrestling July 26-27 at Fife High School
Just one final thought and one of the messages Poweredbyyou.org is trying to get out during these games.
The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12-19 more than tripled in the last 20 years.
Approximately 46% of our states 8th, 10th and 12th graders on average have no physical education class during the average week.
60% of adults in WA were overweight or obese as of 2006
In WA, four chronic diseases linked to obesity account for more than half of all deaths amongst adults.
$8.8 billion was spent in the State of WA on obesity related health issues.
The focus of Powered by You is to reach the younger more impressionable generations by promoting and encouraging health and activity through events like the Washington Games. It uses the influence of sports marketing to shed light on the issue of obesity, the number one most preventable cause of death and disease. By providing participants with knowledge, motivation, self confidence and positive role models, it empowers youth to make healthy lifestyle choices.