Kitsap Sports Council

The Kitsap Sports Council salutes all of you

2007-06-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Anne Blair, Chip Faver, Ted Thetford, Laurie Meyers, Paul Peterson, Don Atkinson – these are just a few of the key movers and shakers moving and shaking all things sports in Kitsap.

You may not have heard of these individuals or their organizations – but each is instrumental to the success of sporting endeavors on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Without the tireless efforts of these folks - and many others not mentioned here - our ability to attract and support sporting events and facilities would be nearly non-existent.

These are the people that work the front lines – in nearly anonymous fashion. As I approach my one-year anniversary as director of the Kitsap Sports Council, I would like to acknowledge and shed some light on some key behind-the-scenes organizations that make OUR sporting experiences whole and fulfilling.

The Kitsap Public Facilities District. The KPFD is an independent municipal corporation managing Washington state sales tax rebate funds allocated to Kitsap County. Projects selected to receive funds from the KPFD have included the very successful Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside, the rehabilitation of the Kitsap Sun Fairgrounds & Events Center and the North Kitsap Regional Events Center.

The Kitsap Parks and Recreation District. The mission of the Facilities, Parks and Recreation Department is to enhance the health and well being of all the residents of Kitsap County through responsible, innovative and cost effective development and management of open space and natural areas acquired and provided for beautification, urban growth buffers, passive recreational use, habitat preservation, storm water control, bicycle and pedestrian trails and land banked for future opportunities. Parks also oversees and develops active parks, which provide areas for a variety of organized and casual recreational uses. The District also presents and manages organized recreation programs and special events offered to a wide spectrum of age and interest groups.

The Zone Sportsplex. The Zone is a multi-sport arena that includes three automated batting cages for baseball, softball, and fast-pitch, a 10,000-square-foot baseball/softball turf field, a live pitching and hitting tunnel, and a large clean turf indoor boarded soccer field. Additionally, The Zone will have 12 large screen TV's, a full-service cafe', and arcade soon!

District IV Youth Soccer. DIV provides organization and oversight to the Youth Soccer program in Washington State in and around the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas - a massive geographic area encompassing over 8,000 households.

Kitsap BlueJackets, USSSA and the CloverLeaf Tavern. Three Kitsap institutions – all influenced by the leadership and energy of one man – Paul Peterson – and all influencing the lives of thousands of Kitsap sports fans and residents, Paul oversees major softball and baseball tournaments in the area (year-round), serves up some of Kitsap’s best pizza at the Cloverleaf and – is a part-owner of the Kitsap BlueJackets. Whew.

The BlueJackets begin their third season in West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL), the premier West Coast summer baseball league that showcases top collegiate baseball talent. An important consideration is that many of the players on the BlueJackets’ roster (and others throughout the league) have already been drafted by Major League Baseball teams.

Founded in 2004 by local Kitsap County businessmen and women, lead by general manager Rick Smith, the BlueJackets’ mission is to provide fun and affordable family entertainment and promote athletic competition.

The Kitsap/Bremerton Athletic Roundtable. This is an amazing organization that has been in existence 40+ years, bringing support and scholarships to young athletes throughout Kitsap. The Roundtable is comprised of the movers and shakers in Kitsap sports – and business - across the board.

As stated above- this listing is only a small sampling of the many great organizations and individuals making Kitsap a great place to live, work – and PLAY!

The Kitsap Sports Council salutes all of you for your on-going efforts and outstanding example.

Peninsula Youth Football - Now 30 Years Old!

2007-02-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Located in Gig Harbor, Peninsula Youth Football begins its 30th season in 2007. Their new chairman, Mr. Ken Uddenberg has been working diligently to strengthen youth football (the American kind!) strong throughout the Peninsula.

From Ken himself on upcoming events:

" Ben, We have a league meeting February 26th and a Parent Meeting March 5th. Any contacts I can make before then regarding potential opportunities/interest for scrimmages, games, tournaments, all star type events, that would be great.

We are going to host a quarterback/receivers camp in August. Jason Gesser (confirmed) and Jack Thompson (tentative), former WSU quarterbacks will be featured instructors for QBs. Gesser was drafted in the NFL and is currently playing Arena Football. Thompson played in the NFL following a great career at WSU. Paul Skansi (Peninsula High & UW star, NFL player) and a couple former college receivers will lead the receivers. We would be happy to invite players from Kitsap programs. "

If you are an administrator or have an interest in volunteering or lending expertise - especially in trying to make contact with other programs in the region for possible games, tournaments, end of season all-star events, etc., please contact Mr. Uddenberg, at:

Chairman, Peninsula Youth Football
7525 Pioneer Way Suite 103
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 851-8355 (800) 320-9640
www.kenuddenberg.com
ken@kenuddenberg.com

Attention Youth Groups - Simple Fundraising Strategy!

2007-02-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

From our good friend Pat Kirschbaum from the County:

Attention Youth
Sports Groups
Local Fundraiser Opportunity

No money up front = No Risk (Plus you're doing our environment a favor!)

Instead of washing cars at a gas station/convenience
store, where dirty, soapy water goes straight down
drains to streams, groups can sell coupons that are
good at participating commercial car washes from
Port Orchard to Bainbridge Island!
Now friends and family can support your cause
year-round without having to be at a specific place at
a specific time — and they get a
service they need!

For more information check out
www.kitsapgov.com/sswm/carwash.htm

To get coupons today, contact Mike at
360-697-1144 or 206-842-7167.

Sponsored by :
Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management
Program and participating commercial
car wash operators

WSYSA District IV - Challenge Cup - Next Two Weekends

2007-02-12T11:38:00.002-08:00

Each year, the Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA) offers its associations and districts the opportunity to how one of the three state finals tournaments held in our state. This weekend and next, at Silverdale Stadium, our regional district - District IV - will host the Challenge Cup.

This tournament brings 30 of the second-highest ranked teams at all age brackets (u-11 through u-19, boys and girls) - an amazingly high skill level will be on display.

If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering, advertising or attending, please visit www.d4soccer.org, or call Lloyd Hansen at 360-286-3591. Lloyd, with Don Stephenson, are the Sponsorship chairs.

This is an amazing event, run by some great folks. DIV and Kitsap appreciate your support of this great event.

We'll all be in The Zone this weekend - and much more!

2007-01-25T14:59:00.000-08:00

Greetings sports brethren!

January 2007 (is it nearly already over??!!) has proven to be the busiest month in the brief history of the Kitsap Sports Council - and the accomplishments are significant. Meetings, reports, planning sessions, new business, old business – whew!

But first - this breaking news!

The Zone Sportsplex in Poulsbo, is opening for use this weekend! That's right - following all of our extreme weather over the past couple of months, our good friend Ted Thetford will be throwing the doors open for indoor soccer play starting Saturday - and I hear there is a ribbon-cutting ceremony pending as well. It is incumbent on all of us to get out and support this man and his team - The Zone is a project nearly five years in the making and already ranks as a great testament to perseverance. Good Luck Ted!

And don’t forget our good friend Kara Morkert at Silverdale’s Dance Gallery. Kara, if you don’t know, has been operating the original Dance Gallery in Port Orchard for the past 12 years. She is nationally renowned for her work, skills and training of young dancers. Overflow at the P.O. facility prompted the opening of the Silverdale facility. Well done ma’am! For more information, please contact her for a schedule tailored to all ages, at 360-698-2393.

Next up, for the last two weekends of February, will be District IV youth soccer's wonderful Challenge Cup tournament to be held at Silverdale Stadium. This will be all of Kitsap’s chance to see the second-highest level of soccer in our state – all in our own backyard. From what organizers tell me, sponsorship opportunities remain.

As far as Sports Council operations are concerned, we have completed the first-ever "Year In Review" and can attribute over $1.6 million in economic impact directly attributable to sports. An amazing number that will surely grow.

Concurrent with this impact is funding - I would like to personally thank our county commissioners, our various municipalities, the many visionary Kitsap individuals and organizations and our own Public Facilities District for their feedback and time concerning the Sports Council.

It is a significant effort getting an organization like this off the ground and without all of your help, it would not have happened.

Last, but not least, I would encourage you to join me at the KPVCB Annual Meeting, to be held Feb. 7 at the Silverdale Beach Hotel in Silverdale. The luncheon begins at 11:30 sharp. This meeting provides a great opportunity to meet the “movers and shakers” in our community and to learn about tourism, economic development and to see that – yes! - we all have an important role in these matters. Contact our office and make your reservation now. Stay tuned for updates on new and exciting events in 2007.

Best wishes, Ben

Silverdale Welcomes The Dance Gallery (2.0!)

2007-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

This just in from our good friend Kara Morkert at the Dance Gallery for all parents tired of running between activities!

"Join hundreds of families that are saving valuable hours each month by scheduling music or dance classes for different children at the same time.

The Dance Gallery School of Music and Dance has completed its Grand Opening in Silverdale! The facility features music lessons and dance classes for all ages.

The new, second location for the Dance Gallery's School of Music and Dance can be found at 9311 Silverdale Way. The original location remains in Port Orchard.

The school offers a wide variety of dance classes such as:
Ballet*Pointe*Jazz*Tap*Lyrical*Funk*Modern*Adult*Turns & Leaps*Kinder Dance and Mom and me, for all ages and abilities.

In addition to the dance program they will also offer a complete music program consisting of Piano*Keyboard*Voice*Electric/Acoustic Guitar*Bass Guitar*Flute*Clarinet*Saxophone*Trumpet*Violin*Cello*Children’s Choir *Adult Choir *Preschool Music Program* Theory and Music History - with both private and group lessons available.

The Dance Gallery is proud to expand from their original location in down town Port Orchard to serve Silverdale and surrounding communities. Since 1994 almost 5,000 students have taken lessons at The Dance Gallery. The Gallery started as a very small studio, but has grown to become one of the largest - as well as the only - music and dance school in Kitsap County.

Lessons are available with over 13 different instructors. Lesson times are available 6 days each week, with qualified, Professional and caring instructors who offer a variety of backgrounds and teaching styles to ensure that parents and students can find a good personality fit."

The School’s mission is “To provide their students with quality instruction and a professional, caring atmosphere so that they may enjoy music and dance for their lifetime.”
For your free report on how to choose a music or dance school please visit: www.thedancegalleryinc.com or call: 360-698-2393

And I'll bet that until now none of you thought of dance as a "sport?" Well, Kara is one of the premier competitive dance instructors in the United States (plus I'll bet she'd wrassle up a pretty good argument concerning the merits of dance as "sport!")

Congratulations from all of us at the Kitsap Sports Council!

USSSA Softball Insurance Information from OJ

2006-11-27T15:21:00.000-08:00

This just in as well - a busy (snow) day:

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here is some good information for teams looking for team insurance.
You will need to register as a USSSA team before purchasing the insurance.
If you need to register in WA. for Baseball please contact me and I will send your team information and check off to the State Office.
Once they input your information into the system. Then you will be able to purchase team insurance.
The timeframe for the new insurance is a good deal. Be sure to ask me any question you want. I will try and direct you to the proper web site.

Sincerely,
OJ Simpson
USSSA Baseball Director of WA.

Reminder! Kitsap PFD Grants Still Available!

2006-11-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

From our good friends at the Kitsap Public Facilities District:

The Kitsap Public Facilities District (KPFD) announces the establishment of the KPFD EventFund to support Kitsap County-based organizations interested in producing or hosting local and regional sports tournaments and special events.

The KPFD EventFund will make awards ranging from $1000 to $5000. The purpose of KPFD EventFund is to twofold: 1) to stimulate economic activity by supporting business that work to attract out-of-county participants, families and tournament enthusiasts to Kitsap County; and, 2) to provide family-centered entertainment and healthy recreational opportunities for Kitsap County residents.

“One of KPFD’s guiding principles is to work through partnerships that promote economic development in Kitsap County. The KPFD EventFund is another example of how the KPFD is using taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively to benefit directly the families, businesses and communities served by the KPFD,” stated Walter S. Draper IV, Chair, KPFD. To receive funding, events must be held at one of the three public facilities developed with KPFD-managed funds including the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside, Kitsap Fairgrounds & Events Center, or facilities within North Kitsap Regional Event Center, currently under development in Poulsbo.Application deadlines are January 9, 2007 and May 22, 2007. Funding decisions are competitive and will be announced January 25, 2007 and June 28, 2007. Information and 2007 Application & Allocation Guidelines are available on-line at www.kitsap-pfd.org or by contacting KPFD Administrator Anne Blair at (360)337-5356 or ablair@kitsap-pfd.org.

The PFD is providing a nearly-unheard-of opportunity for Kitsap, particularly all our user groups.

Thank you from the Kitsap Sports Council!

Olympic Duals Wrestling at the Pavilion Dec. 8-9

2006-11-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

This just in from our good friends Doug Dowell and Steve Polillo - let's all get out and support this great event!

PRESS RELEASE FOR:

Location: Kitsap Sun Pavilion

Date: Friday, December 8 (Junior Varsity); Saturday, December 9, 2006 (Varsity)

Time: First Round of Wrestling is scheduled to start at 9:15.
*** See the complete schedule at the end of this press release.

Participating Teams (16):
Olympic, Central Kitsap, Klahowya, North Kitsap, Bremerton, A.C. Davis (Yakima), Sequim, Shelton, Olympia, Foss, Bethel, Graham-Kapowsin, Wenatchee, Auburn-Riverside, Marysville-Pilchuck, and Prairie.

Awards:
- Most Team Falls (Trophy)
- Individual Sportsmanship Award (Trophy)
- Team Sportsmanship Award (Trophy)
- Co-3rds, 2nd, & 1st Place Team Trophies
- Medals to the individual wrestlers from all the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams

Aim of the Tournament:
- Provide a first-class tournament experience for our local athletes
- Serve as the major fund-raiser for the OHS wrestling program

Admission:
- Adults = $8.00
- Students, Seniors, Children (6-12yrs) = $4.00
- Children 5yrs & under = free
- Olympic H.S. students with ASB = free

Announcer:
We are fortunate to have Mr. Richard Chwaszczewski, one of the main announcers for the state tournament, serving as our announcer for the Dream Duals.

Safety Measures:
A team of certified athletic trainers will be on site during the competition. In addition, we will also have an ambulance and aide crew standing by on site thanks to our local KCFD.

If you have any questions or want more information please contact:
Doug Dowell (Tournament Director)
(W) 662-8615
(H) 662-0585
Email: dougd@cksd.wednet.edu

On behalf of everyone involved in planning the 2006 OLYMPIC DUALS, I would like to personally THANK YOU for taking the time to review this press release and for any coverage you extent to this event. It is my sincere desire that this tournament will provide a lasting memory for our young athletes. At the same time, it is also my hope that the community will come out and witness the skills, the dedication, and the sportsmanship that our young wrestlers are developing through athletic competition.

Yours in Sport,

Doug Dowell

PS:
A detailed time schedule as well as direction to the Kitsap Sun Pavilion can be found below for your information.

Olympic Duals
December 9th, 2006
SCHEDULE:

START: FINISH: ACTIVITY:
7:00 8:00 Weigh Ins at the Kitsap Sun Pavilion
8:15 8:40 Coaches Meeting in the Coaches Room
8:40 8:50 Warm Ups: “A” Teams
8:50 9:00 Warm Ups: “B” Teams
9:00 9:15 A) Team IntroductionsB) Color Guard’s PresentationC) National Anthem
9:15 11:00 WRESTLING ROUND # 1
11:00 12:45 WRESTLING ROUND # 2
12:45 1:40 Break : All Mats Washed Lunch for Coaches !!! Possible Raffle ?
1:40 1:50 Warm Ups: “A” Teams
1:50 2:00 Warm Ups: “B” Teams
2:00 3:45 WRESTLING ROUND # 3
3:45 5:30 WRESTLING ROUND # 4
* 5:30Or at the finish of Round # 4 matches 5:45 A) Roll Up Mats (We would REALLY APPRECIATE your help!)B) Possible Raffle ?
5:45 6:00 Award Presentations:- Most Team Falls- Individual Sportsmanship Award- Team Sportsmanship Award- Co-3rds , 2nd, & 1st place Team Trophies - Individual Medals to each wrestler from the top 3 teams

Directions to the Kitsap County Fairgrounds
1200 NW Fairgrounds Road
Bremerton, WA 98311
(360) 337-5350

Family, friends, and fans;
The Olympic Dream Duals will be held in the Kitsap Sun Pavilion, which is located at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.

From Winslow Ferry (Highway 305):
Follow Highway 305 to Highway 3 Southbound (about 3 miles.) Take Kitsap Mall/Silverdale/East Bremerton Exit off Highway 3. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Stay straight to go onto NW Waaga Way/Highway 303. Take the Ridgetop Blvd ramp. Turn right onto Right onto Ridgetop Blvd NW. Turn left onto NW Myhre Rd. NW Myhre Rd becomes Tracyton Blvd NW. Turn left onto NW Fairgrounds Rd. Fairgrounds is at top of hill.

From the Bremerton Ferry:
Upon leaving the ferry you will follow Washington Street until you come to Warren Avenue. Turn right on Warren Avenue and proceed out of town on Warren. You will go past Olympic College and over the Warren Avenue Bridge. Warren Avenue will turn into Wheaton Way after crossing the bridge. Stay on Wheaton Way until you are out of town. Stay on Highway 303 until you come to Fairgrounds Road. Turn left on Fairgrounds Road and go until you come to the Fairgrounds.

From Tacoma:
Take Highway 16 North to Bremerton from the I-5 Freeway just South of the Tacoma Dome. Outside of Bremerton, take the Highway 3 exit towards Silverdale and the Hood Canal Bridge. Once on Highway 3, proceed until you come to Silverdale/Newberry Hill turn off. At the bottom of the off-ramp turn right and continue into Silverdale to Bucklin Hill Road. Turn right on Bucklin Hill Road and go until you come to Nels Nelson Road. Turn right on Nels Nelson Road and continue until you come to the Fairgrounds.

Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Club Announces Innovative Fields Fundraiser with The Zone!

2006-11-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Indoor soccer has arrived conveniently located near Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap! The Zone Sportsplex, a brand new facility in Poulsbo, Wash. is now accepting team registrations for indoor leagues for all ages including adults, and will begin its first-ever season January 6, 2007.

The season will last for 8 games, with matches held on weekends with no practices. Form your own team and register with the Zone directly. Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer players and coaches who sign up before 12/30 can receive a $50 discount per team.

BIYSC has entered into a partnership with the Zone to receive a donation towards B.I. field improvement for every kid who plays. Go to their new website for indoor soccer registration forms, as well as information on soccer training and many other programs - www.zonesportsplex.com

This is a great way to maintain skills and have a lot of fun during the winter!

FLASH! - This just in from Ted: "In addition to our partnership with BIYSC, The Zone has signed a partnership with NK Little League where the major benefit is that they will be hosting one day of their league tryouts at The Zone, instead of out in the elements. The Zone has also signed a partnership with the NK soccer club to let the club use The Zone as its home base where they can host meetings and have access to an office donated by The Zone. We have also signed a similar agreement with KYLA as in the NKSC deal."

The Zone Readies to Open

2006-11-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

Soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, golf, lacrosse, birthday parties, after-school programs, summer and holiday camps and clinics and ... moms and seniors just taking a walk? That's right: A remarkable sports and community facility is blooming in Poulsbo, and don't let the name fool you – Ted Thetford’s Zone Sportsplex in Poulsbo is sure to have something in store specifically for you.

With a projected opening date of December 15, 2006, the project marks a dream nearly ten years in the making. Thetford is the owner operator of , located at 21291 Urdahl Road NW and is fronted by Finn Hill Road, just West of Highway 3 in Poulsbo.

Ted's mission is to provide our community not only with a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, but a place for all ages to meet, participate in and enjoy sports and other non-sports activities - and even share a meal together. The Zone Sportsplex is a 46,000 square-foot facility featuring year-round sports programs for youth and adults at nearly all levels of play.

The Zone Sportsplex is a 46,000 square-foot facility featuring year-round sports programs for youth and adults at nearly all levels of play. It features:

A 100’ x 100’ turf field
One 60’ baseball/softball infield
Fully climate controlled year ‘round
Hitting/pitching tunnels

Also on-site will be a full-service café, conference/party facilities and a family-friendly sports restaurant/bar.

The Kitsap Peninsula Sports Council salutes Ted for his resourcefulness and his vision and wish him, his family and his staff all the best.

Ben Pecora Named Kitsap Sports Council Director

2006-08-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

The Kitsap Peninsula Visitors & Convention Bureau today named Ben Pecora as its Sports Council Director. The council is an arm of the KPVCB charged with enhancing the lives of peninsula residents while expanding tourism through sports and sporting events in the region.

Pecora comes to the directorship following a lengthy and diverse career in sports marketing, public relations, journalism, promotion and event management. Over the past 15 years he has overseen the growth and development of events ranging from grassroots to global in scope. His strengths center around an ability to work with a wide array of leaders and initiatives and have included service on behalf of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Diadora America, Seattle Sounders, United States Cycling Federation, Manchester United, Nike, United States Soccer Federation, Washington State Youth Soccer Association, Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Association, Pacific Northwest Golf Association and The Hutch Award.

He has a long history of fundraising in the Northwest, including Children’s Hospital and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He is a Northwest native and ten-year resident of Kitsap County.

Pecora has also dedicated a great deal of his career to child-related causes and has overseen, implemented and promoted high-profile regional events such as the Merrill Lynch Invitational charity golf tournament, the Hutch Award fundraising luncheon, the Pacific Northwest Golf Show and the USSSA Majors softball championship.

He regularly consults with organizations such as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Supersonics and Qwest Stadium.

He is a successful volunteer youth coach in the sports of soccer, Little League baseball and Little League softball.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am about this position, the commitment of our area leaders and the Kitsap Peninsula as a whole. The upside is huge,” said Pecora from the

KPVCB offices. “I am a true believer in the possibilities of the region – we possess beauty, real resources, a dedicated base of sports leaders and strong political leadership.”

“Ben brings us great experience, contacts and energy to a post that has long been in our planning,” said KPVCB director Grant Griffin. “We’re lucky to have him on board and excited about the possibilities he brings.”

Pecora aims to bring an aggressive and inclusive leadership to sports groups and businesses while providing growth opportunities on the peninsula.

“We can do great things here,” said Pecora. “I already have several key initiatives in development which can provide immediate benefit and revenue to the region– it’s time to put the pedal to the metal.”