KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Rush was named tournament team in the keiki division after snaring the best uniform award and finishing third in the 10-and-under play during the 5th annual Fun In Fellowship Dodgeball Tournament, Saturday. “Do you know what
KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Rush was named tournament team in the keiki division after snaring the best uniform award and finishing third in the 10-and-under play during the 5th annual Fun In Fellowship Dodgeball Tournament, Saturday.
“Do you know what ‘FIF’ stands for?” asked a player from Green Moloka‘i while oogling the rows of trophies following the keiki division play at the All Saints’ Gym. “I think people forgot what ‘FIF’ stands for. It means Fun in Fellowship.”
Green Moloka‘i, with the youngest twins, MJ and Mingo Fitzgerald, 4, earned the best sportsmanship award for the keiki division.
Ben Nelson, rector at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, said the main idea of the tournament is to have fun.
“The members of this congregation want to thank you for joining us on this special day where having fun and enjoying new friends is the main event,” Nelson said in a message in the event program.
The Sacapuntas finished as the tournament team for the youth division with the Ninja Skittles, topping match play for the 17-and-under division, getting the best uniform award.
The Popsicle Melters, getting the best sportsmanship, finished second in match play for the 13-and-under class.
The Waimea Boys and Girls Club finished tops in the 13-and-under match play and its older team, scrambling with uniforms on game day, ended in third place for the 17-and-under division.
Abdulah Fata‘ai, the tournament team winner in the masters division, topped the co-ed division match play.
Sybil Nishioka, the tournament director, said more than 300 players ages 4 to 64 registered for this year’s tournament.
That resulted in 104 scheduled matches that started with elimination rounds Friday evening and Saturday’s play extending until 10 p.m.
“The level of game play has rocketed as players practice more and more each year,” Nishioka said in an e-mail. “This year’s tournament has seen the best playing, going to three games for most of the matches.”
The tournament is kept free to the community through private grants and donations, the first two years being funded through the county’s anti-drug program, and the last three years being funded through the Sloggett Trust.
“The best thing about this whole program is to see the joy the participants display because they really love the sport,” Nishioka said.
“The open practices are intended to mix it up, so even if players may belong on other teams, they all play together to have fun. Players from all backgrounds that may never have socialized before this share a bond, working on uniforms, practicing strategies, and having a good time. That was the whole intent in Fun in Fellowship Dodgeball.”
Shane Nishioka-Healy, Sybil’s son and a role model for many of the keiki division players, said he appreciates what his mom goes through to get the tournament off the ground.
“I want to thank my mom for everything she did to create this tournament,” Nishioka-Healy said.
“It required many sleepless nights. She is incredible for what she does and without her, the tournament would not be possible.”
Based on the response of keiki division players, there is no lack of interest in a 2011 tournament.
“We may not have a dodgeball tournament every week, but we sure do have some fun,” Nelson said.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauai
pubco.com.
Keiki Division (8, 10 Under)
Tournament Team: Kaua‘i Rush
Best Sportsmanship: Green Moloka‘i
Best Uniform: Kaua‘i Rush
Match Winners (8 Under): Li’l Stars, One Love, GreenMoloka‘i
Match Winners (10 Under): Da Boyz, Tamba 1, Kaua‘i Rush
Youth Division (13, 17 Under)
Tournament Team: Sacapuntas
Best Sportsmanship: Popsicle Melters
Best Uniform: Ninja Skittles
Match Winners (13 Under): Waimea Boys & Girls Club, PopsicleMelters, Poi Poundahz
Match Winners (17 Under): Ninja Skittles, Tamba 2, Waimea Boys& Girls Club
Masters Division (Coed, Kane)
Tournament Team: Abdulah Fataai
Best Sportsmanship: Galen’s Gang
Best Uniform: Seed Smashers
Match Winners (Coed): Abdulah Fataai, Lavadogs, Loyalty
Match Winners (Masters Kane): Manapua Munchahs, Tamba 2,Brahdahood
Best Team Effort
Raiden Kurisu, Caiden Basuel, Reis Nakamura, Mia Fitzgerald,Gabriel Franklin, Sarah Bonnstetter, Kai Brun, Pono Manoi, LeightonMoniz, Chaz Pacleb, Casey Nakamura, Gabe Keener, Eryn Yamashiro,Ashton Scott, Ethan Gray, Kekoa Alfiler, Colby Baliaris, DevinGandia, Sather Scott, Daniel Alonzo, Jannin Hashizume, Codi-reiPezario, Shawna Ogata, Keoni Kelekoma, Michael Julian, Jack Yatsko,Loretta Lyons, Cliff Arruda, Danny Tabura, Quincy Cariaga, HankIbia, Bryson Saito, Azia Tabura, Caleb Sarsona
