Editor’s Note: Let’s all welcome American lacrosse player turned Japanese lacrosse pioneer, Everett Mapp to the team. Everett will be covering the growth of lacrosse, especially at the youth level, while he is living in Japan. It’s time to hear how Everett is growing the game!
[mks_separator style=”solid” height=”2″]
Japan’s famous Samurai Cup has run strong for 10 straight years after planting its roots in 2005. This year was one of the best turnouts, with about 150 teams and nearly 1,500 players ranging from the scholastic division to high school, as well as college players and members of adult club teams.
Although the event isn’t associated with the Japan Lacrosse Association, the club lacrosse scene in Japan is huge and has no problem pulling lacrosse folk together for a play day! Most players in Japan start playing as college freshman, but by the time they graduate they still have the bug and end up joining club teams or as they call it, SHAKAI teams.
The games ran all day Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to about 7 PM with players and coaches from local universities helping to manage the timekeeping and refereeing responsibilities. There were Japanese lacrosse shops with tents out selling goods and former players were in attendance with their kids making for an awesome lacrosse experience. It was a festive atmosphere and despite the cold temperatures, people were having the best time.
The games were 10 minute halves with a 6v6 structure. There were 4 fields of play at Japan’s famous Ajinomoto Stadium, known for big soccer matches in the Tokyo area. The surfaces were wonderful artificial turf, which they call JINKO SHIBA. I have seen a ton of lacrosse games in Japan played on pretty basic dirt fields since there’s not a lot of grass fields out here. You usually get a pocket full of dirt to go with that ground ball, but they seem to manage.
From the quality competition to top-notch playing surfaces, the Samurai Cup was a huge event here in Japan!
World-Class Action
Teams came to the Samurai Cup from all over, including teams from Okinawa, where the US military bases are, the United States and various parts of Asia. The world-famous Crease Monkeys and the Encore Brand crew made their way to Japan for the big event.
American players like UVA’s Steven Holmes, Hawaii’s Corry Mabry, Encore founder and UVA legend Johnny Christmas, member of Team USA and Rochester Rattler Jordan Wolf and former LXM and Salisbury goalie Johnny Rodriguez all rallied together to bring top-notch lacrosse to Japan!
I’ve got to point out that Johnny Rodriguez played a half or two with a shortie even though he is a goalie. The highlight of the event was Johnny making a save, running the length of the field, doing a forward flip and then putting the ball past the goalie. It was the most exciting play I have seen since I saw Gary Gait dunk way back in the day!
It was a real pleasure to watch the Crease Monkeys live and in action. Seeing Johnny Christmas moving the ball up field with amazing poise and grace, placing the ball in the goal at will was incredible for me and the especially for the primarily Japanese crowd!
Spectators were treated to Corry Mabry putting on a clinic with ball handling and playing both ways, Steve Holmes ripping the net with lefty cranks, and Jordan Wolf going from 0-60 in like 2 seconds and getting shots off that were just scary… seriously, it was scary to see him move and shoot. I have never seen a player with such an incredible ability to drive with speed and force while executing with perfection every time.
The young players would congregate around the Encore booth and get their hats, t-shirts and other items signed by these super hero-like American players.
The American guys were totally cool about it as it quickly became a picture bonanza and they smiled the whole way representing United States lacrosse players as true class acts and as great ambassadors for the game.
[fvplayer src=”https://youtube.com/watch?v=qvg28nqZlO4″ splash=”https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qvg28nqZlO4/hqdefault.jpg” caption=”Japan 2015″]
While in Japan the Encore guys had the opportunity to check out some of the more unique and traditional aspects of the culture.
Enjoy the video recap above and gallery below of a mix of photos from their trip and the 10th Annual Samurai Cup!
Samurai Cup Gallery
Photos provided by Encore Brand & Everett Mapp
