When Pop Warner football started on Kaua‘i, the Shriners International came forward with a grant that enabled the fledgling program to acquire its initial set of football equipment. That gesture has never been forgotten by the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Association
When Pop Warner football started on Kaua‘i, the Shriners International came forward with a grant that enabled the fledgling program to acquire its initial set of football equipment.
That gesture has never been forgotten by the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Association and when the gates open for the annual Shrine Bowl on Saturday, proceeds from that day will be presented to the Shriners for the work they do with young people by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and teaching programs.
Last year, the KPWA Shrine Bowl netted more than $3,000 which was presented to representatives of the Shriners International during the annual Jamboree that signals the start of the 2008 tackle football season for KPWA.
When the gates open at 10 a.m. at the New Kapa‘a Town Park stadium, the Junior Pee Wee teams from the combined East and West will take the field followed by the combined East and West teams in the Midget division starting at noon.
Coaches and cheer squads for the East and West are also combined to head their respective teams for the bowl games. In previous years, game format has players who normally get little playing time to be the stars on the field for the game.
The highlight of the day comes at 2 p.m. when the undefeated Koloa Rams, finishing first in the PeeWee division, tangles with Mexicali.
“This is going to be a tough game,” said Koloa coach Corey Aguano earlier while chatting at the Historic County Building. “We have a lot of our kids on family trips and traveling so we’ve been practicing with a skeleton crew. But we’re looking forward to a good game.”
Paul Pancho, president of the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Association, said there will be lots of food at reasonable prices being served up by the KPWA and Commissioner Mel Rapozo will be conducting a pass, punt and kick competition between the games.
Pancho said following the completion of the Koloa-Mexicali game, awards for the year will be presented.
