Bellevue team booted from tourney Rain delays and scheduling conflicts resulted in a pair of District 9 softball teams being disqualified from a tournament after neither could field a team of nine for the title game. The tournament, which was delayed two days for rain, included five teams playing for one spot at state. After winning each of its first three games, EastlakeSammamish was the only remaining unbeaten and was slated to face a team composed of Bellevue Thunderbird, Bellevue West and Mercer Island Little Leaguers in the finals June 29. But several players from each team were also committed to the National Softball Association state tournament, which began the same day. District 9, which made an effort before the tournament to ensure players would be able to participate with both organizations (NSA is a separate softball entity from Little League International), would not reschedule the championship game and instead ruled that both squads were disqualified. District 9 officials declined comment and Little League International Vice President of Communications Lance VanAuken said said the idea of a doubleforfeit was not practical because, “There wouldn’t have been any punishment.”
July 6, 2012 [13]
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Interlake running back Zakir Butte fields a ball at a touch rugby practice for the Eastside Lions. Butte is one of several Saints who have taken to rugby and seen the benefits on the gridiron. JOSH SUMAN, Bellevue Reporter
LIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
masses on the Eastside, he found himself at a dead end. Then he connected with Waisale Serevi. Known around the world as “The King of Rugby 7s,” Serevi is the foremost ambassador of rugby in the United States and in 2010, selected Seattle as the base camp for Serevi Rugby. Shortly after, he tabbed Young to head the youth programming, giving him a chance to make a career in the game he can’t live without. “It’s a joy,” Young said of working for Serevi. “To be able to live my dreams and grow the sport of rugby for a job is a great opportunity.” Along with his work
for Serevi, which includes organizing youth camps and integrating the sport in elementary school physical education programs, Young is the backbone of the Eastside Lions. Founded in 2007, the Lions are the only rugby club on the Greater Eastside and the number of participants has doubled in size each year of the club’s existence. The club was founded by Matt Hudson, but after a year at the helm, an opportunity to coach his alma mater at WSU was too good to pass up, leaving Young in charge. “It’s been great meeting people from all the cities and finding out their interest in rugby,” he said. “It has been a lot of fun to have my passion as a job.”
At home on the pitch When the Eastside Lions
began in 2007 as the Bellevue Tyrants, the program had fewer than 15 kids all ranging from 14-18 in age. Today, the program has grown to field sides at the U8, U12, U14, U16 and U19 levels, in addition to the Super Lions men’s team and a girls program that is still in its infancy but with a dedicated following. Many of the Lions come from football or another sport hoping to stay in
shape during the offseason, but the program has also proven popular with the large ex-patriot communities around the Eastside, including the Keane’s. Ray said one of the concerns his boys voiced about the move to the U.S. was how it would impact their opportunity to continue playing a game they hope to make a career of. “The guys have done a really good job,” Keane said of Young and others involved in growing the Lions’ base. “The key thing is kind of spreading the word.” Young estimates 15 percent of the 150 players in the Lions’ system are ex-pats. Most come from European nations, making rugby a fitting and reliable transitional tool. Keane has been so impressed that he has not only kept his own children involved, but along with another ex-pat from Ireland, helped Young found the “minis” program. Designed to ensure the accessibility of the sport for the next generation of athletes, the minis program is for kids ages five to 12 and was started only two years ago with only the Keane’s and a few others. Keane sees it as the next step in the evolution of the Lions. “It is great to get kids at that age,” Keane said. “I talk to Josh about setting their
sights very high.” More than one player in recent years has done that, as the Lions have players at a handful of collegiate programs around the West and even one, Aladdin Schirmer, who made the United States U20 National Team. With rugby 7s joining the Olympic fold in 2016 and collegiate scholarships available at a handful of schools, Keane and Young believe the opportunity for sustainability is there. Young said many of those who excel at the game have a great deal of athleticism and toughness, but may lack the refined skill set or position-specific attributes desirable for other team sports. Regardless of where one fits on his or her other teams, there is a home for everyone on the rugby pitch. A number of players from the state playoff football teams at Interlake and Bellevue have joined as well, including 2013 senior running back Zakir Butte. “I always tell people to come out,” Butte said. “They have a different perception of it and think it’s all bloody noses and broken bones. But once they come out and see it and play, most people really love it.” Josh Suman: 425-453-5045; jsuman@bellevuereporter.com
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Summertime A great time of year for meeting friends and enjoying life!
O
n Friday, July 13, we will be publishing information about dining, cocktails and happy hours around town. It’s perfect timing with the opening of the city of Bellevue’s downtown Sculpture Walk. PRESENTED BY
Find out where you can dine outdoors, specialties of the house and happy hour.
July 11: GREASE July 18: HUGO
Seating opens: 7 pm $5 - live acts - talent screenings - prizes Movies @ dusk INCREDIBLE C I R C U S AC TS CO S T U M E CO N T E S TS
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July 25: CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE. Aug 1: THE MUPPETS (2011)
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Aug 8: MONEYBALL Aug 15: WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Aug 22: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Aug 29: THE PRINCESS BRIDE Facebook/MoviesatMar ymoor 626406
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