NAWILIWILI — The players were in full padding and working through various defensive skills, Tuesday. Brad Hiranaka, president of the Kaua‘i Youth Football league, said practice started two weeks ago in anticipation of the fall season, which will start with
NAWILIWILI — The players were in full padding and working through various defensive skills, Tuesday.
Brad Hiranaka, president of the Kaua‘i Youth Football league, said practice started two weeks ago in anticipation of the fall season, which will start with games Aug. 28.
“We’re still looking for players,” Hiranaka said. “We can also use people who are interested in cheer.”
Hiranaka said KYF starts the fall season with teams in Kapa‘a and Lihu‘e in both the elementary and intermediate divisions.
Players in the elementary division are students in fourth through sixth grade. Players in the intermediate division are in the seventh and eighth grades. There is no weight restriction for KYF players.
Previously, players were recruited based on age, but that requirement has been replaced by recruitment by grade levels, elmiminating the possibility of conflicts with high school programs.
“The coaches are actually happy with this arrangement,” Hiranaka said. “We are being able to provide field experience and training in game basics in preparation for when the players want to try out for high school programs.”
Kapa‘a currently has 20 students enrolled in its elementary division and 18 students in its intermediate program. Lihu‘e has about 10 students in its elementary program and 21 students in its intermediate program.
Games are played with an 8-man format.
Hiranaka said there was an effort to form a Westside program as well, but that was dropped. However, he said the Kaua‘i Youth Football can always use more players, citing the need for more players in the elementary division for Lihu‘e.
“We can always use cheerleaders, too,” Hiranaka said. “Right now, we may have two, or three girls who want to cheer, but they want to wait until more come on board.”
Hiranaka said starting this fall, KYF has expanded its program on O‘ahu, recently coming to agreement with a program headed by Mike Ulufale.
“They have about 300 kids in the Ewa Beach and West O‘ahu Hammerheads program,” Hiranaka said. “Our first game will be against Ewa Beach and Kapolei on Aug. 28.”
That game will be during the run of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair and will be played at Vidinha Stadium, Hiranaka said. Tentatively, he has reserved the stadium for four games starting at noon.
When the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation football season kicks off, Hiranaka said KYF games will be played Saturday mornings on fields not being used by the KIF.
In addition to more players, the KYF can always use more volunteers and parent support, he said.
For more information, or to register, visit www.kauaiyouthfootball.com, or call 652-9962.
