The Kitsap Sports Council salutes all of you

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.