LIHU‘E — Everyone has the ability to change a child’s life, said Teddy Arroyo, commissioner for the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League, Saturday. The Elsie Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria was filled with coaches from both the tackle football and cheer
LIHU‘E — Everyone has the ability to change a child’s life, said Teddy Arroyo, commissioner for the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League, Saturday.
The Elsie Wilcox Elementary School cafeteria was filled with coaches from both the tackle football and cheer programs representing the five associations making up the KPWFL.
“We’re here for the kids,” Arroyo said. “We come together as one to help the kids.”
The KPWFL hosted a day-long clinic for coaches which featured topics to make coaches even better than what they are.
Bassel Faltas, the West manager of USA Football, said he became acquainted with Arroyo and Brad Hiranaka, a coach with the Kaua‘i Youth Football league, a few years ago when both men visited the clinic on O‘ahu.
“We wanted all our coaches to be able to get the USA Football experience,” Arroyo said. “We are so honored that Bassel and some of the Punahou High School coaches were able to visit us to share what they know.”
The clinic started off on a positive note as representatives of the five districts were called on to claim a share of practice equipment made possible through a $1,000 grant from USA Football.
During the clinic centering around football and cheer, topics ranged from risk management, health and safety with concussion awareness and positive coaching and life skills with Faltas leading the discussion.
The county’s Anti-drugs office offered a discussion and Zach Octavio, the Kaua‘i director of American Medical Response, led a discussion on dehydration.
The Punahou staff worked with player characteristics, communication, motivation, practice planning and tactical development.
Arroyo said this clinic was paid for by the KPWFL and represents a step toward the common goal of making a positive impact on Kaua‘i’s youth.
Tennille Halemanu is the KPWFL president, Millie Ah Hee continues to work with scholastics, Cassie Camara is the league secretary and Tasha Daligcon continues as the league’s cheer coordinator.
Arroyo said the league is fortunate to have two of the four Westcon representatives come from Kaua‘i: Mel Rapozo and Yvonne Hosaka.
The public is invited to see proof positive of this clinic when the KPWFL hosts its JAMS Cheer Camp at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center, July 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“This cheer camp is open to anyone,” said Hosaka. “There may be people out there who just want to come and see what cheer is all about. This is a perfect opportunity to see for themselves.”
Registration for the JAMS camp is $65 for each participant and is payable at the camp, July 16.
The camp will be led by a JAMS West Coast traveling squad of instructors and cheer leaders.
