Dragon Lacrosse player takes his game East – to Germany.
With his father facing a corporate relocation to Germany, Austin Easterly’s biggest concern was whether he’d be able to continue playing lacrosse. “One of the first things we did, even before arriving in Germany in 2013, was seek out lacrosse opportunities.” his mom Susan said “Fortunately, we found a local club, ABV Lacrosse.”
Easterly has not only continued to play, he’s excelled. He was quickly named Team Captain and began mentoring teammates. He finished the past season ranked as the runner up in Total Points in the entire league with 98 total points, including a league-leading 84 goals and 7-game winning goals. ABV Lacrosse won the U16 National Championship with a 9-4 victory and Easterly led the way with 5 goals, including the game winner.
It all started in Southlake
Easterly started playing lacrosse in 4th grade when current Dragon Varsity players Jeremy Bach and Greg Hill invited him to join their 3rd/4th grade team. Coaches Steve Thompson and Joe Schupler were the first to instill the love of the game that he still carries with him today.
Easterly played SCLA lacrosse for 4 seasons, coached by Thompson, Schupler, and later by Neal DiBello. He also received private shooting instruction from Paul DiBello. During his final season here, he joined Varsity Head Coach Bart Sullivan's inaugural Dragon Select team and had the opportunity to play in a tournament in Maryland.
First Germany – a National Team spot and Canada may be in the Future?
Over the past 9 months, DLaxV, Germany’s national governing body for lacrosse, has held tryout camps throughout the country in order to select their U19 German National Team. Easterly attended camps in Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg and was recently named to their 42-man Practice Squad.
The final 23 National U19 Team players will be selected from this 42-player squad. While a U16 player making the final U19 would place Easterly in rare company, there is plenty of incentive. Those who make the German National Team will play a series of international games before ultimately playing in the World Championships next summer in British Columbia.
Once a Dragon – Always a Dragon
His father Arnie shares “We credit SCLA Dragon lacrosse with his current success. The leadership skills, sportsmanship, and basics, imparted by his SCLA coaches, and the camaraderie and love for the game felt with his fellow SCLA players gave him the foundation to excel here in Germany. It's should be no surprise that he continues to wear the Dragon logo on his helmet today.”
“The fundamentals he learned in Dragon Lacrosse were instrumental to his success here.” Arnie continued “The biggest adjustment is travelling to find competition. We laugh that we used to think a drive to University Park or Plano was a trip. Now we travel all over Germany and travel to tournaments to play teams from England, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, The Czech Republic and Israel. It’s been a real blessing, and a lot of fun, for Austin and for our family. “
See why Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. – Fall Registration is now open and new players have 2 week no-risk trial
Southlake Carroll Lacrosse Association is a non-profit group that now encompasses nearly 500 players and 1400 family members. The upcoming Fall season will be a local-focused league with teams for Youth Boys from Kindergarten to 12th grade and Youth Girls from 1st to 12th grade. Fall Registration is online and more information is listed at www.southlakelacrosse.org.
Lacrosse is currently the fastest-growing sport at the youth, high school and even the collegiate level. SCLA wants to share the sport with interested kids and families and is offering new players the ability to register and try the first two weeks of the Fall season on a no-risk basis, with “loaner” equipment being available. This two-week period will include all skill sessions, drills, and team activities. A family can elect to withdraw at any point during the first two weeks and receive a refund of their registration fee.