Issaquah Highlands Central Park Turf Fields Nearing Completion!!

Great news for local laxers as the 2 new turf fields on Central Park Pad #3 in the Highlands near completion. This Spring Issaquah Youth Lacrosse will hold it's first regular season game on turf in the City of Issaquah!

In our 2009 season, IYL teams had an estimated 100+ games and practices impacted by grass field closures due to weather related field conditions. The addition of these new turf fields will really help mitigate what has been a huge annual headache for the IYL field operations team.

Next time you are passing through the Highlands take a quick detour and check them out!

The IYL Spirit Gear Store is Open!

The IYL Store is your place to preview and order Spirit Gear, Lacrosse Basics and Seasonal Gifts. All Spirit Gear items are currently available only on a pre-order/pre-pay basis as part of our member's seasonal group orders. Equipment items are generally in stock or offered in conjunction with our preferred community LAX retailers.

2010 Season Spirit Gear Pre-Order Dates:

2009 Holiday Orders - Cut-off for Spirit Gear orders w Holiday Delivery: Nov 30th, 2009
**Items available for p/u on weekend of Dec 19th/20th @ Location TBD.

2010 Regular Season Orders - Cut-off for Spirit Gear orders w Regular Season Delivery: Feb 5th, 2010.
**Items available for p/u at our first regular season games on Mar 6th, 2010.

IYL 2010 Spring Registration is Now Live!!!

Spring Registration is Open Now!

If you are ready for another great season playing the Fastest Game on Two Feet, it is time to reserve your spot on the 2010 league roster. IYL registration is a "First In/First On" model with returning players having priority until December 1st, 2009. If you are a returning player you need to beat the 12/1/2009 priority cutoff date to guarantee your spot on the field!

Register Now

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2009 Space Needle Shootout LAX Tournament

IYL will have two Peak (select) teams entered in the Space Needle Shootout lacrosse tournament being held this December 4th – 6th at the Starfire Sports in Tukwila.

The teams are "U12" (12 years old or younger on December 4) and "U14" (14 years old or younger on December 4). Most 5 & 6th graders are U12, as are some 7th graders. The U14 bracket includes most IYL 8th graders and some 7th graders.

Coaching the U12 team will be Scott Johnston, Adam Kurtenbach and Gregg Harris
Coaching the U14 team will be Mark Greenhall, Jordan Bayly and Eric Bean

The teams will be selected by the coaches based on the following criteria:

1. Age qualifications
2. Commitment to attend all practices and games, if selected (see schedule below)
3. Positional mix
4. Skill and teamwork exhibited at clinics 11/21, 11/23 and 11/27
5. Skill and teamwork exhibited in Spring 2009 season and/or IYL Post-season "Peak" play

Cost: $50 to cover the cost of practice field rental and tournament fees

Number of players: 18-19 per team.

Interested? Check out the Tournament information page for the full skinny!

Critical Public Hearing on Beaver Lake Park Master Plan

The City of Sammamish is holding the 4th public hearing on the Beaver Lake Park Master Plan this Wednesday, 4 November. This is a critical meeting for our efforts to secure all-weather turf fields with field lighting. The last three public meetings have been dominated by the immediate neighbors who oppose fields and lights - we need the Sammamish & Issaquah youth sports community to turn out in force this Thursday and speak up for these critically needed field improvements!

On this Wednesday's agenda will be a presentation of the preferred Master Plan to seek public input. We need to have as many parents and community supports of youth athletics present and in seats as possible to balance the input given to the City Council member, Parks Commission members and City staff who will be present.

The public meeting on Thursday will be held at the Sammamish City Hall, Council Chambers, 801 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, 98075 and runs from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

Your participation is critical!! You can learn more on the Sammamish BLP Master Plan web page. Please take the time to attend and speak up for your child's future!!!

IYL Fall Clinics Set for November 21st, 23rd and 27th!

The IYL Fall Clinics for 5th - 8th grade Boys are live on the calendar! If you are interested in improving your skills and getting back into playing form make sure one or more of the Fall Clinics are on your calendar. Need more motivation? Want more LAX? Two IYL select teams will be drawn from those players attending at least 2 of the Fall Clinics to play in the Space Needle Shoot-out Tournament this December! More info on this tourney below.

The Fall Clinics are FREE and they are for new and returning players. The first Clinic will be held on Saturday, 21 November at Skyline Community Fields, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The additional Clinics will be held on Monday, 23rd November and Friday, 27 November - both additional clinics will end by 9:00 PM. If you have friends who are interested in trying Lacrosse before the regular Spring season begins This Is The Time!

Space Needle Shoot-out Tournament runs 4-6 December at the Starfire complex in Tukwila. The tournament team practices will be held the week of 30th November. IYL expects to field two competitive teams for this tournament drawing from IYL's best - one 12 years old and under, and one 14 and under. There will be a fee of approximately $50 to cover the tourney entry fees and practice field rental costs.

If you are interested in more information about the Space Needle Shoot-out and our selection process, please eMail Coach Bean at coach@thebeans.com. Be sure to include your Birthday (day/month/year) in your eMail.

Late Night LAX with Coach Greenhall

Late Night LAX with Coaching Director Mark Greenhall is coming this week to Robinswood Park in Bellevue!! LNL is Thursday, 5th November, 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM.

This is a Free "all-comers" fun-filled boys clinic with skill drills and games for all Juniors (5/6 Grade) and Seniors (7/8 Grade) players of all experience levels. If you have a friend who is interested in Lacrosse but has not played before - bring him along! If you bring a friend who is new to IYL, both of you will be entered into a drawing for cool LAX stuff!

Cost is $0 - free! But you will need to bring your signed (by both parent & athlete) Concussion Awareness Form to play. Remember to dress appropriately and bring all your gear & water.