Sports Off The Beaten Track

CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA

Football.  Baseball.  Soccer.  Basketball.  Tennis.  All sports we see happening frequently on the various bases.

But what about those of us who joust or curl or steeplechase or ice dance or polo-it or synchronize our swimming?  Where do we go to get involved on this little island??

Well, Peggy has help for those of you who “lacrosse” — or for those who would like to… or maybe even for any of you can spell it and just want to find out what it actually means!!

For those with high school lacrosse players, adults wanting to play lacrosse: There is a FREE lacrosse club on Camp Foster. We have a high turnover of players, and we always need new players. Those new to the sport are also welcome! Practices and home games are always free. Travel with the team is optional when a game is planned elsewhere. Loaner equipment is also available, free of charge, but if you are PCSing here, please consider sending your equipment (you cannot buy it on island).

The adult teams include members from all ranks and services, civilians, spouses, and university students, both American and Okinawan All ranks, all services, all dependents, and all nationalities are WELCOME to play. We accept all levels of lacrosse playing experience from beginners – advanced.  There are no fees to play, and no time commitments, just a desire to play.

{information updated March 2010}: We have added a youth lacrosse program which includes youth boys and youth girls, grade levels 5 – 9.  Additionally, we will teach grades 1 – 4 and high school students to play lacrosse.

Practices are on most Sunday afternoons, 12 noon – 2 or 3, on the fields behind the gym or nearby. Stop by or email us for more info. We also have a website: okinawalacrosse.com
which is somewhat under construction, managed by one of the Okinawan men’s players on the team.  For more information, click here to download an informational flyer from March 2010.

And if anyone else has info on these less mainstream sports, please fill us in!  I did always want to learn how to keep my body lifted out of the water — and ooohhh, those sparkly swim caps!