LIHU‘E — Saturday marked the first Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football Association’s football camp. More than 100 players, representing all divisions and from different parts of Kaua‘i, turned out for the camp. Cheers, clapping and the occasional loud barking of instructions
LIHU‘E — Saturday marked the first Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football Association’s football camp. More than 100 players, representing all divisions and from different parts of Kaua‘i, turned out for the camp.
Cheers, clapping and the occasional loud barking of instructions from former Kaua‘i High School football coach Derek Borrero were heard at Isenberg Park Saturday as children ages 7 to 13 were put through speed and agility drills.
“Remember guys, we are one family today. It doesn’t matter what color we wear. We came out here today to have fun, make friends and enjoy yourself,” said Teddy Arroyo, KPWFA commissioner, to all the participating children before the start of the camp.
“Before the start of the season — hopefully we can do this every year — you see all the coaches mingle and everyone become one as a family, then once the season starts, you do your battles on the field.”
The camp precedes the start of the season, which will be on Sept. 1 at the jamboree.
In addition to the opening of a new season, KPWFA is also celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“You know Kaua‘i Pop Warner is celebrating 50 years, it’s a big thing for us,” Arroyo said. “We are going to go out and throw a parade and have the community support us. We are going to go from the Rice Street historic building all the way down to Vidinha Stadium.”
There are five associations on island: The Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association, Hanapepe Pop Warner Association, Koloa Pop Warner Association, Kekaha Pop Warner Association and Kapa‘a Pop Warner Association.
Those interested in registration should contact the appropriate association.
“We are going to take registrations until the end of August,” said Vice President of Hanapepe Pop Warner Association Buffy Ofisa. “The sooner the better, though, because we can accept applications up until then, but the kids will not be able to put pads on and play in the games until they put in all of their conditioning hours.”
HPWA is still looking for players for all divisions.
“We have a strong program. We have won the JPW (Junior Pee Wee) championship the past two years and we have great coaches,” Ofisa said. “We just need help with our numbers for all divisions, and cheer too.”
For more information on how to register, email hanapepecolts@yahoo.com or contact Ofisa at 482-1047.
Arroyo said that KPWFA board members Pam Kaluahine-Arroyo, Lilane Corpuz, Taylor Hood, Sherrie Agosto and Millie Ahee are instrumental to the league’s success, having prepared the atheletes for both football and cheer.
•Rick Killeen, sports writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or sports@thegardenisland.com
