LIHU‘E — A newly-formed sports league is set to start up in Kaua‘i, which places sportsmanship and opportunity above all else. The i9 Sports organization is a nationally-run franchise based out of the Tampa Bay, Fla. area, now with leagues
LIHU‘E — A newly-formed sports league is set to start up in Kaua‘i, which places sportsmanship and opportunity above all else.
The i9 Sports organization is a nationally-run franchise based out of the Tampa Bay, Fla. area, now with leagues in 25 states. The organization is named for the nine “I” principles that represent its ideology: imaginative, innovative, interactive, integrity-driven, impassioned, inspirational, instructional, insightful and inclusive.
“It’s about helping kids succeed in life through sports, not full on trying to get your kid into the NFL,” said Tony McInerny, the general manager of the Kaua‘i league.
McInerny, who is also an assistant coach for the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team, said that the principles that i9 Sports focuses on are often ones that get “lost in translation” with some youth leagues.
The league had planned to open up its first Kaua‘i season with a flag football league beginning at the end of March, but has since pushed back its first weekend.
“Because we want to make this inaugural program the best it can be, we’re now looking at late April,” he said. “We’d like to get about 200 kids signed up for about 20 teams.”
The i9 football leagues are typically made up of 10-player, co-ed teams. The action is 5-on-5 and all team members get equal playing time.
The motto “everybody wins, everybody plays” is one of the key principles the franchise tries to encourage, McInerny said.
“This is a neat little league here,” he said. “It’s not full-on competitive, it’s not tackle, it’s very safe.”
Players get awards every week for different achievements, like most inspirational or just for being on time.
“So everybody kind of earns something when they play,” McInerny said. “It just keeps the kids really jazzed.”
While starting with flag football, the Kaua‘i league has plans to expand to basketball, soccer, as well as a cheerleading aspect.
The first field to be used will be at Kapa‘a Beach Park, but there is potential for expansion as soon as the summer, McInerny said. In about 18 months, he expects the league locations to cover the island.
“From my experience on O‘ahu, the kids just come and it keeps building and building,” he said.
As an O‘ahu resident, McInerny saw his three nephews participating in i9 leagues, which have been in existence over there since 2006. He felt the leagues could work on Kaua‘i and began the process last June. The island was awarded a six-year franchise.
The initial registration fee, according to McInerny, will cover all league expenses without further fundraising. The league will use high school referees and last for a 10-week season. Everybody involved is background checked to make all aspects of the league “legit.”
Parents are also asked to agree to a pledge, stating “I will refrain from the use of negative or derogatory language aimed at” anyone involved with the league and will “do my best to model the sportsmanship-like behavior I wish my child to adopt.”
Though there are already numerous options for keiki sports on Kaua‘i, McInerny does not see i9 as in competition with already existing leagues.
“We’re definitely not here to take kids from KPAL (Kaua‘i Police Activity League) or baseball,” he said. “We’re just another option.”
The league will have all its information on a Web site, which can be visitied at www.i9sports.com/homepage.aspx.
Other than the league’s mission statement, participants and parents will be able to find schedules, results, pictures and a blog.
Registration for the upcoming flag football season is currently open on the Web site.
