Just For Kicks
THE HAWAII Soccer Start Program provides youngsters in three areas of the city an opportunity to learn about and participate in a sporting activity after school, when there might be nothing else to do. Soccer Start program
keeps kids busyThe program, known as the Keiki Rec League, also sponsors Saturday tournaments and clinics on a regular basis.
No one even keeps score. The idea is to have fun while providing a healthy activity for any youngster who shows up.
Originally started in Palolo about six years ago, the program has joined with the Parents and Children Together program at Kuhio Park Terrace and the Kokua Kalihi Valley program at Kam IV Housing to expand to those areas.
The program's age groups range from under 6 to under 14.
Last year the organization received $10,000 from the United States Soccer Federation, which helped provide soccer balls, scrimmage vests, cones and other equipment.
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) also contributes equipment, and the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association (HYSA) provides coaches to conduct clinics and includes the program under its insurance umbrella.
High school players do most of the coaching at the three sites.
"These high school players are working with youngsters on a weekly basis," said Michele Nagamine, who has run several clinics. "I think it's so admirable that (the high school players) have the vision to see that a little bit of time now can mean a lot later."
Nagamine, director of training and coaching development for the National Soccer Academy, wasn't sure what to expect the first time she ran a clinic, but was pleased with the reception.
"At first, they didn't know what to think of me because I have a lot energy and I'm very direct," she said. "But they saw I was interested in what they had to say.
"I can see what the alternatives are for these kids. They all have choices to make. The high-school-age girls who have stuck it out made a choice to make their lives better. The young kids are little balls of energy. They all come with their own dose of excitement."
THE PLAN IS to run mini-tournaments on Saturday that involves youngsters from all three areas.
They will be assigned to teams but mixed by age, gender and neighborhood.
"We try to promote having respect for other people," said Susana Helm, who serves the program as a girls' coach.
"At each neighborhood, the kids are starting to get the hang of the game. Now we're getting returning players, which indicates the interest is growing. It's rewarding to see how much fun they have."
Helm also said the program has received support from the Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA.
She noted none of what's been accomplished would have been possible without the help of the staff at the Palolo Recreation Center, Kuhio Park Terrace and the Kam IV Recreation Center.
"Working with kids from different backgrounds is an eye opener, but they appreciate everything," Nagamine said. "All a child can give is his heart, and that's a reward and they should be rewarded."