Tryouts scheduled for cheer squad

The South Whidbey Football Association is holding tryouts for a cheerleading squad.

There will be one team of 8- to 10-year-olds; the $150 fee includes uniform, insurance and registration. Practices will start the last week of July and there’ll be a day camp on Friday, Aug. 1.

“We will practice a couple times each week for two hours in the evenings,” said organizer Carolyn Streitler.

The girls will be cheering for the South Whidbey Islanders youth football team with at least three home games and may travel to other away games if there is interest. Eight games will be played on Saturdays starting on Aug. 23.

For details and a registration form, call Streitler at 579-1789.

Streitler added that the Islander football team is still signing up youth football players from ages 7 to 12. The registration fee is $110.

Evening practices start Monday, July 28 and the first game is

Aug. 23.

For details, call Mike Denka at 579-1645.

Little League begins tourney

Three South Whidbey Little League teams — the Rangers, Yankees and Braves — have been invited to champion tournament games.

The Rangers, with a season 9-4 record, are headed to the Ted Reep Tournament of Champions in Mount Vernon, starting at 2 p.m. today.

The 4-9 Yankees are at the Andy Andrade Memorial Tournament in Oak Harbor, also at 2 p.m.

The South Whidbey Braves, 3-10, have been invited to the Erik Tesarik Memorial Tournament in Sedro-Woolley at 2 p.m. today.

League organizer Chris Nelson noted that the winners of a special raffle will be drawn at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16 at Community Park.

Shooters take aim at benefit auction

Members of the South Whidbey Friends of the National Rifle Association Foundation committee invite the public to attend its third annual dinner and auction.

The dinner starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club near Langley. Advance tickets are $30 each but are limited to the first 150 guests. Dinner tickets sell out quickly and are not available at the door.

Last year’s event raised $36,000.

“We encourage anyone interested in firearms to participate,” said committee chairman Michael McInerney.

“Not only will there be a lot of great shooting-related raffle and auction items available, but this supports an important cause,” he said. “The NRA Foundation is not the NRA, but a charity and does not fund political candidates or issues. Proceeds benefit firearms and hunter safety programs as well as educational events, wildlife conservation and marksmanship training.”

The evening’s activities include a choice of prime rib or chicken dinner, raffles, various games and both a silent and live auction. Donated funds return to the local community through the nonprofit foundation, with a portion targeted this year to support the local club’s “trap shack.”

Sponsorships and donations are still needed. Artwork, guns and trips are some of the most popular items.

For details, call McInerney at 221-7574 or e-mail backdoor sports@msn.com.