Young athletes sign up for NFL camp

By Stanley Lee
Advertiser Staff Writer

Quin Arakawa, 12, who signed up yesterday for the National Football League's youth development camp, gets fitted for his helmet by Tony Soller, head coach of the Moanalua High JV football team. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The two from 'Ewa Beach arrived at 8 a.m. yesterday at Moanalua High School's football field to be the first to sign up for the NFL Junior Player Development Program.

Registration did not start until 4 p.m.

"I was psyched," said Trey-Alan, who didn't mind waking up early to meet his dad, Troy, who had been reserving their spots since 5:30 a.m.

More than 150 youths, ages 12 to 14, from as far as Schofield and Kapolei stood under the sun for hours waiting for their chance to participate in the football clinic, sponsored by the National Football League.

The weeklong, free clinic beginning next week runs 4 1/2 hours daily. It will not only teach these up-and-coming football players the fundamentals of the game, it will instill in them life skills they can apply off the field.

"Football will be secondary. Our focus will be life skills ... teaching the kids respect, responsibility, respecting their elders, coaches, teachers, being role models off the field as well as on," said Jeris Wise, a coach for the Moanalua Lions Pop Warner program, one of nearly a dozen coaches at the camp.

The Moanalua camp is one of 80 around the country being conducted mostly in areas with NFL franchises. But the state's football talent and annual hosting of the NFL Pro Bowl made it an obvious choice to host one for the first time.

"First of all, I want them to have fun and a good time," said Arnold Martinez, head football coach at Moanalua High School and coordinator of the clinic. "In the process of having fun, I want them to learn life skills they can apply from being a part of this and football skills they can learn regardless whatever level they play at or where they play."

Tim Hood, a football player at Mililani High School who was volunteering yesterday, said skills such as commitment and responsibility will pay off when some of these participants play in high school.

"If you're not committed to the team, no sense you play at all," Hood said. "You're not going to get any playing time."

At the clinic, each participant will play every position. Participation is open to players regardless of weight, something that Pop Warner regulates.

Patrick Kapaha of Kane'ohe, who just finished his freshman year at Damien Memorial High School, knows about the weight rule. He could not participate in Pop Warner because he was too big.

"It gives them a chance. If they had this when I was younger, it would be better because kids who are too heavy for Pop Warner don't get a chance to play," Patrick said.

Successful completion of the camp will mean they get to keep an NFL practice jersey, NFL football and bag.

Quin Arakawa, 12, of Kapolei, was all smiles after he received his bag, helmet, pads and jersey. After he dropped off his gear, he immediately asked Wise, his coach, what they'll be doing and introduced himself to those in his group.

"It was neat," said Quin about being fitted for his helmet and picking up his gear. "The helmet (fitting) was hard. It was tight."

With all the equipment provided except for shoes, Wise said participants just need to "come excited, prepared, (with) a humble attitude and expectation for learning football."

That is what Clift Imai of Pauoa Valley, wants his 13-year-old son Junior to get out of the clinic.

"I want him to learn the basics of not only the positions he's familiar with, but all the positions," Imai said. "The more kids know about the positions of the game, the less likely they'll get hurt."

Patrick hopes to learn "technique, discipline and things to do on the field" that will lead to his goal of being all-state.

Martinez jumped at the idea of holding the clinic after the NFL held one for coaches during the Pro Bowl in February. He was impressed with the program's curriculum of accountability, responsibility and commitment "because it's right in line with what we do here at Moanalua."

As Quin's group was getting to know each other, Wise asked, "How many of you are here because your parents made you come?"

None of the players raised their hands.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing to be in an NFL-sponsored camp," said Kahikolu Pescaia, 14, of Kailua.

'Aiea and Campbell high schools also will be conducting clinics this summer. For information on the 'Aiea clinic, call Wendell Say at 483-7300, ext. 234. For the Campbell clinic, call Tumoana Kennesy 689-1200.

Reach Stanley Lee at slee@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8533.