thedrifter
09-26-03, 06:10 AM
Sticks and stones may break some bones...
Lacrosse Club shares nation's oldest sport
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003925087
Story by Sgt. Chris Eriksen
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan (Sept. 25, 2003) -- On a hot humid morning they gather their sticks. Their weapons of choice come from combat centuries old. Their tactics center around the same centuries-old combat: send a stone through a set of poles using only their stick, skills and wits.
Though their weaponry and protective equipment have changed with time, their determination to achieve victory, in this ancient game, has not. What started off as a simple game of sticks and stones centuries ago has now accumulated into what is known as the fastest modern sport on two feet: lacrosse.
The Okinawa Lacrosse Club (OLC), which formed in May 2001, has been practicing several times a month for over two years now. Originally formed for the 2001 International Lacrosse Friendship Tournament in mainland Japan, it is now comprised of over 30 service members from various units and bases islandwide.
The team has participated in three International Lacrosse Friendship Tournaments in mainland Japan that has enriched their lives, according to David Degn, midfielder, OLC.
"The lacrosse program out here is an excellent experience that more people should take advantage of," said Degn. "The trip to Osaka was one of my most memorable experiences overseas."
The OLC has hosted two Friendship Games for Team Zipang and the Japanese Lacrosse Association team on Okinawa over the past two years as well. These games have both fostered camaraderie and broken barriers with members of the Japanese teams, according to Robert Marshall, defenseman, OLC.
"The camaraderie between the players is great and the interaction with the other teams at the Friendship Games was fun," Marshall said. "Getting away to the International Friendship Games in mainland Japan help reduce cultural barriers somewhat so we could relax, be ourselves and just enjoy the games and each other. I very much enjoyed playing with the folks from Team Zipang and the JLA."
The team offers servicemembers a chance to stay in shape and meet others with similar interests both American and Japanese, according to Degn.
"You can stay in shape, have fun, and meet international players," Degn said. "I think lacrosse is the only sport America can call it's own and the fact that other countries are learning to play is fantastic."
OLC offers new players the chance to learn lacrosse and gives experienced players a place to play. Lacrosse doesn't require a great deal of skill, according to Robert Hallett, attackman, OLC.
"Skill levels vary among every team and most players are not judged by how well they play but how hard they play," Hallett said. "All you need to play lacrosse is to be in shape as the game requires lots of running. If you're an athlete, as most military personnel are, you can play the game."
"If you can throw and catch a baseball, you can throw and catch with a lacrosse stick as the motion and mechanics are generally the same," Hallett added.
According to Hallett, the attraction to lacrosse, and its recent explosion of growth in the U.S. and overseas, is due to its quick, violent style of play.
"It includes the physical contact of football or hockey, the close proximity of play of basketball, the speed and endurance of soccer and fundamental throwing and catching skills of baseball - all popular sports in most U.S. schools," Hallett said. "Even for the fans, it is an enjoyable game to watch due to its fast paced, aggressive style."
Another reason to play is that the relationships formed among players are very tight, according to Hallett.
"Often you'll find that most tournaments include an after game party where lies are shared, stories are told and the camaraderie of just playing the game are enjoyed," Hallett said.
The team meets as often as possible to play pickup games and improve their skill level. Attracting new players and interest in the sport has become a main focus of the practices now, according to Marshall.
"We need new players," Marshall said. "We need to have a reason to play each week instead of just before a game. We would like to get a box lacrosse league sponsored by (Marine Corps Community Services) as well."
The team has plans to host additional Friendship Games with several teams from mainland Japan this coming fall or winter, according to Marshall.
Practices are held Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the roller hockey ring on Camp McTureous. All players of any levels are invited to come out and join the fun of the fastest game on two feet.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392502112/$file/Lacrosse02.gif
Austin Myler, mid fielder, Okinawa Lacrosse Club, and Austin, Texas native, fights for the ball in a face off with a Team Zipang Lacrosse Club mid fielder. The OLC hosted Team Zipang from Tokyo, Japan, during the Friendship Series Game, recently.
Photo by: Sgt. Chris Eriksen
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Lacrosse Club shares nation's oldest sport
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003925087
Story by Sgt. Chris Eriksen
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan (Sept. 25, 2003) -- On a hot humid morning they gather their sticks. Their weapons of choice come from combat centuries old. Their tactics center around the same centuries-old combat: send a stone through a set of poles using only their stick, skills and wits.
Though their weaponry and protective equipment have changed with time, their determination to achieve victory, in this ancient game, has not. What started off as a simple game of sticks and stones centuries ago has now accumulated into what is known as the fastest modern sport on two feet: lacrosse.
The Okinawa Lacrosse Club (OLC), which formed in May 2001, has been practicing several times a month for over two years now. Originally formed for the 2001 International Lacrosse Friendship Tournament in mainland Japan, it is now comprised of over 30 service members from various units and bases islandwide.
The team has participated in three International Lacrosse Friendship Tournaments in mainland Japan that has enriched their lives, according to David Degn, midfielder, OLC.
"The lacrosse program out here is an excellent experience that more people should take advantage of," said Degn. "The trip to Osaka was one of my most memorable experiences overseas."
The OLC has hosted two Friendship Games for Team Zipang and the Japanese Lacrosse Association team on Okinawa over the past two years as well. These games have both fostered camaraderie and broken barriers with members of the Japanese teams, according to Robert Marshall, defenseman, OLC.
"The camaraderie between the players is great and the interaction with the other teams at the Friendship Games was fun," Marshall said. "Getting away to the International Friendship Games in mainland Japan help reduce cultural barriers somewhat so we could relax, be ourselves and just enjoy the games and each other. I very much enjoyed playing with the folks from Team Zipang and the JLA."
The team offers servicemembers a chance to stay in shape and meet others with similar interests both American and Japanese, according to Degn.
"You can stay in shape, have fun, and meet international players," Degn said. "I think lacrosse is the only sport America can call it's own and the fact that other countries are learning to play is fantastic."
OLC offers new players the chance to learn lacrosse and gives experienced players a place to play. Lacrosse doesn't require a great deal of skill, according to Robert Hallett, attackman, OLC.
"Skill levels vary among every team and most players are not judged by how well they play but how hard they play," Hallett said. "All you need to play lacrosse is to be in shape as the game requires lots of running. If you're an athlete, as most military personnel are, you can play the game."
"If you can throw and catch a baseball, you can throw and catch with a lacrosse stick as the motion and mechanics are generally the same," Hallett added.
According to Hallett, the attraction to lacrosse, and its recent explosion of growth in the U.S. and overseas, is due to its quick, violent style of play.
"It includes the physical contact of football or hockey, the close proximity of play of basketball, the speed and endurance of soccer and fundamental throwing and catching skills of baseball - all popular sports in most U.S. schools," Hallett said. "Even for the fans, it is an enjoyable game to watch due to its fast paced, aggressive style."
Another reason to play is that the relationships formed among players are very tight, according to Hallett.
"Often you'll find that most tournaments include an after game party where lies are shared, stories are told and the camaraderie of just playing the game are enjoyed," Hallett said.
The team meets as often as possible to play pickup games and improve their skill level. Attracting new players and interest in the sport has become a main focus of the practices now, according to Marshall.
"We need new players," Marshall said. "We need to have a reason to play each week instead of just before a game. We would like to get a box lacrosse league sponsored by (Marine Corps Community Services) as well."
The team has plans to host additional Friendship Games with several teams from mainland Japan this coming fall or winter, according to Marshall.
Practices are held Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the roller hockey ring on Camp McTureous. All players of any levels are invited to come out and join the fun of the fastest game on two feet.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200392502112/$file/Lacrosse02.gif
Austin Myler, mid fielder, Okinawa Lacrosse Club, and Austin, Texas native, fights for the ball in a face off with a Team Zipang Lacrosse Club mid fielder. The OLC hosted Team Zipang from Tokyo, Japan, during the Friendship Series Game, recently.
Photo by: Sgt. Chris Eriksen
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: