Not everyone can play, cheer or coach, but they still can be involved, said Nancy Kanna. The team parent and volunteer proposed to the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association that youths be involved beyond the gridiron. “It’s about inspiring our youth to go beyond
Not everyone can play, cheer or coach, but they still can be involved, said Nancy Kanna.
The team parent and volunteer proposed to the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association that youths be involved beyond the gridiron.
“It’s about inspiring our youth to go beyond of what’s expected of them,” Kanna said in a phone interview. “Everybody has special talents and attributes.
“Nowadays, it’s the parents and coaches who are doing everything. The reality is that we’re doing our youth a disservice,” she added.
The goal is to mentor children who aren’t playing or cheering in the Pop Warner league to still be involved through writing, photography, announcing and web design.
Kanna said she proposed her idea to the association last week and has its full support.
Hanapepe Pop Warner Association president Cherie Linoz informed Kauai Pop Warner Football League commissioner Teddy Arroyo about the association’s plans with the program Thursday and he also supports such a program.
“It’s not just about football and cheer. It’s about life lessons,” Arroyo said in a phone interview. “We try to help the kids be somebody after they graduate … (Let’s) go out there and give the kids more than just football and cheer opportunities.
“I think the mentor program is really good. I hope it can kick off,” he added.
Linoz said she’s hopeful the program will come to fruition but there are still roadblocks to overcome. Getting mentors to volunteer is one of them.
“We’re still working on the parameters of the program and how we’ll run it,” she said in a phone interview. “(Kanna) brought it up because a lot of what we did was adult driven … For her, and I totally get it, she feels we should give our participants more responsibility.”
Currently, Kanna is seeking kids and volunteer mentors who would be interested and hopes to get things in place for the upcoming season, which starts in September.
“Right now, it’s trial by fire. Just getting the word out there and seeing where it goes,” she said. “We have a few kids interested … We’re now just getting the word out.”
Contact Kanna at 652-0773 or email at the.kannas@gmail.com for information.
