NAWILIWILI — Brad Hiranaka said if he can keep one kid from getting into trouble, he’s done his job. Hiranaka, the president of Kaua‘i Youth Football, a fledgling youth football program on Kaua‘i, was recognized for his efforts at getting
NAWILIWILI — Brad Hiranaka said if he can keep one kid from getting into trouble, he’s done his job.
Hiranaka, the president of Kaua‘i Youth Football, a fledgling youth football program on Kaua‘i, was recognized for his efforts at getting the league off to its first year by the Kaua‘i County Council in a certificate authored by Council Chair Jay Furfaro, Wednesday.
“I believe I was on the plane with some players from the Junior Warriors who were coming home from a championship game,” Furfaro said.
These were young players who would otherwise not be able to play due to their weight or size.
Kaua‘i Youth Football welcomes anyone, Hiranaka said. The league wants to be able to make football available to all young people who want to play, provided they meet the age and scholastic guidelines.
“Any child can play is what struck me,” said JoAnn Yukimura, a council member, embracing the fact that there are no weight or other physical requirements to play in the KYF.
Mel Rapozo, commissioner for the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League said the whole thing is about kids. When the void appeared, the community stepped up to fill the gap.
Furfaro said KYF is affiliated with the American Youth Football league, one of the largest groups involved in youth football, and he is glad there is a program on Kaua‘i. AYF is also affiliated with the National Football League.
“Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned on the football field,” said Derek Kawakami. “I still remember my Pop Warner coaches, and the thing to remember is that young children grow up to become adults. The lessons they learn as youngsters carry through when they are adults.”
Hiranaka, a football coach for more than 14 years with the Pop Warner program, now puts in between 15 and 20 hours a week teaching young players the fundamentals of football and life.
He started the KYF program when in 2009, Pop Warner numbers found a decrease in participation, due in part to the economy, and changing life factors.
Furfaro said Hiranaka knows all about kolohe kids and the importance of after-school activities.
“It keeps kids off the street and provides them the opportunity to become disciplined and well-rounded individuals,” the certificate states.
Hiranaka said KYF is in the process of hosting a state championship either before Christmas, or New Year’s depending on the repair status of the stadiums.
Visit www.kauaiyouthfootball.com for more information.
