Mary Alice is 91 years young and loves playing with the little people, said Bill Troutman. Troutman, a volunteer coordinator for the Kaua‘i Police Activities League North Shore Mini Mite basketball program said there are almost 300 young players from
Mary Alice is 91 years young and loves playing with the little people, said Bill Troutman.
Troutman, a volunteer coordinator for the Kaua‘i Police Activities League North Shore Mini Mite basketball program said there are almost 300 young players from Anahola to Ha‘ena enrolled in the developmental basketball program which plays each Saturday at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center.
Among the schedule of two games for each of the more than 25 teams is a game with the Kilauea Seniors, a group from the Kilauea Senior Citizens who come out to play an exhibition game with the fledgling hoopsters.
Guaranteed to draw laughter from fans and players alike, the seniors have been matching up against the Mini Mites for the past several years, Troutman said.
A volunteer coordinator for the past 10 years, Troutman said, “The objective of this basketball league is fun. The league is an instructional league focused on teaching each participant the fundamentals of basketball with an emphasis on teaching life-long skills in social interaction, sportsmanship and teamwork.”
“Last year we had 28 teams with almost 300 players on the North Shore participating,” Troutman said.
The number of players participating is made possible because of a scholarship program generated from contributions from community organizations, businesses and individuals, Troutman said.
“Last year, we were able to scholarship more than 100 children based on the school’s free and reduced lunch program,” the coordinator, who doubles as referee, said.
He added that most of the scholarships go to the youngest children first, and if available, the older children.
“Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry made an appearance during one of the games,” Troutman said. “And, when he was introduced, he got a standing ovation from the parents in the house. He even took his turn as one of the referees for the games.”
Originally started by the county, the program was taken over by the Boys & Girls Club, and eventually by the K-PAL program.
A similar program on the Westside is currently being managed by the Kaulupono Basketball league under the direction of coaches Bobby Kamakele and Pedro Saligumba.
Troutman invites the public to stop by the Kilauea Neighborhood Center on Saturdays through May 3 to view the players in action.
In Kalaheo, the Termites and Mitey Mites fly on Saturdays at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. Additionally, there is an Extreme Termite division which plays on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
“There is no substitute for actually being on the floor,” Troutman said. “When Chief Perry came to visit, he was impressed, and wants to be able to have his majors and sergeants to come, too.”
