The Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association will host a year-end banquet Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of its student athletes. “My kids came together, practiced their hearts out and dominated all season to win the division, undefeated,” said Teddy Arroyo, coach
The Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association will host a year-end banquet Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of its student athletes.
“My kids came together, practiced their hearts out and dominated all season to win the division, undefeated,” said Teddy Arroyo, coach of the Lihu‘e Patriots Junior Midgets, which finished the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League at the top of their division. “All 23 players were hungry this year. They represented LPWA proudly this season. They had many obstacles, but their focus was on football and look at the results. Now, they know they can achieve anything in life with hard work and dedication.”
Arroyo, in a release from LPWA, said the support of his assistant coaches, including Dean Pigao, Rick Renaud, Phil Banquel, Dustin Telles, Jeff Visitacion, Billy Farias, and Alan Albao Jr. is the key to his own success.
“One coach cannot accomplish a successful season by himself,” Arroyo said. “It takes loyalty and dedication to the children, healthy role models, and many committed individuals to provide positive coaching and mentoring. I want to thank my assistants for a great and enjoyable season.”
Joining the JM success, the Junior Pee Wee cheerleaders worked hard to enable the group to fly to Florida where it competed in the Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Competition at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports arena.
That group finished fourth in its division and received a Spirit Award in addition to its performance.
“All the fundraising paid off for the girls who got to travel and perform admirably,” said Lilane Corpuz, president of LPWA. “We are all very proud of all our children in our organization, and want to thank the community for its donations and support year after year.”
Corpuz said the LPWA wants to recognize and thank the student-athletes in all the divisions, the Lihu‘e Patriots Junior Pee Wee and Mighty Mite divisions and the cheer squads in the Mighty Mite and Junior Midget divisions.
LPWA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit association that was established 48 years ago to teach football and cheer fundamentals to youth ages 5 through 15 years old.
The program was further enhanced when the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League joined the Positive Coaching Alliance, which insures the safety to young student athletes.
LPWA’s goal and motto is all about the keiki, Corpuz said.
