LIHU‘E — “Excitement” and “special” were two buzzwords used by University of Hawai‘i soccer coach Michele Nagamine at the free series of soccer clinics which started Friday and ran through Sunday at the Vidinha Stadium. “Some people can eat a
LIHU‘E — “Excitement” and “special” were two buzzwords used by University of Hawai‘i soccer coach Michele Nagamine at the free series of soccer clinics which started Friday and ran through Sunday at the Vidinha Stadium.
“Some people can eat a plate lunch faster than anyone, others can do other things better than someone else,” Nagamine told a group of about 70 players, the majority being high school players, during the Sunday clinic which concentrated on identifying the players. “Your job is to find out what is special about you and bring that to the game. That is what makes soccer exciting.”
Nagamine was joined by Hawai‘i soccer coaching staff Mike Herman, assistant coach and clinic director, and Marc Fournier, assistant coach and goalkeeper coach, as well as senior forward Skye Shimabukuro, a graduate of Kaua‘i High School.
“She’s living a dream,” Nagamine said. “She is coming off an injury, but should be a starter. She plays strong and has good leadership qualities on the field.”
Shimabukuro, obviously humbled by Nagamine’s remarks, quietly encouraged the players to never give up, but instead, to pursue their dream of playing soccer.
“This is really a good program,” said Lenny Rapozo, the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation director, who was watching intently from the sidelines. “We had about 60 people come out for the Friday workshop which focused on college and how to play soccer beyond high school; Saturday, another 60 to 70 players turned out for the drills clinic, and Sunday, there are about 60 to 70 players who are here so coach can identify their strengths in the game.”
Rapozo said although the majority of the Sunday participants were high school players, Kaua‘i Soccer Association coach Gordon Tamura had some of his Kaua‘i Sparks players mixing in with the group which also included players from Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama campus who were home for the long holiday weekend.
“She is really good,” said Bobby Rapozo, a coach with the KSA program and helping out during the clinic. “She works really well with the younger players, they all love her, and can work well with the older players as well.”
Rapozo said Kevin Devitt, the KSA commissioner, was also present during the Friday night workshop and commented on how good the quality of the presentations were.
During the clinics, Nagamine and her staff covered attacking and defending concepts, advanced ball control drills — Nagamine labeled them as “jigging” — position-specific tactics and teamwork principles.
“This is the first time Hawai‘i has conducted such a clinic,” Rapozo said. “Apparently, coach is impressed with the participation and response from the players and is already talking about returning next year.”
Rapozo said Kaua‘i was really lucky to have Nagamine and her staff consent to hosting the clinic.
“I don’t know if the kids realize it, or not, but on O‘ahu, kids pay more than $100 to attend a clinic like this,” Rapozo said. “This clinic? The price is right — it’s free!”
Sponsored by the County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation, Rapozo said there will be another free clinic this weekend for youngsters between 8 to 18 years old.
The first Brian Derby Offensive Line Camp and Hawai‘i Athletes in Action Foundation Combine will be at Vidinha Stadium starting Friday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. when registration and check-in for the football camp and combine opens.
The Derby Camp offensive line practice and H.A.I.A. College 101 Workshop for students in grades eight through 12 and their parents will run Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, the 8- to 12-year-old players check in for the football combine at 7 a.m. with the H.A.I.A. Combine starting at 8 a.m. followed by the check in for the Derby Camp at 8:45 a.m. The Derby Camp group practice runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch for the participants.
The 13- to 18-year-old players follow pretty much the same schedule with the exception of the Derby Camp/H.A.I.A. “Battle in Da Trenches” featuring offensive linemen and defensive linemen, and the H.A.I.A. 7-on-7 “Skilled Position” leading to the awards and free lunch at 12:30 p.m.
Pre-registration for the H.A.I.A. events can be completed online at www.haia808.org.
Rapozo noted that during the Combine, participants will run through several events with times being noted and on a return trip, the participants will be re-tested on these events to see the improvement or areas where improvement is needed and how to improve in these areas which impact the game of football.
Rapozo said although there is no charge to participate in these events, participants are asked to bring either two canned food items or a 10-pound bag of rice to assist the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank in their efforts to help feed Kaua‘i’s hungry.
Call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 241-4460 for more information, or to request special assistance or an auxiliary aid for the event.
