If partners Paul Alejado and Brian Kaupiko have their way, a team from Hawaii soon may be competing in National Youth Sports’ annual National Championship Tournament in San Diego.<\/p>\n
“That is definitely (the goal),” Alejado said.<\/p>\n
Alejado and Kaupiko recently formed a Hawaii chapter of NYS, which will enable teams from Hawaii to take part in its national events.<\/p>\n
NYS Hawaii will offer 11-Man Weighted Tackle Football in four divisions:<\/p>\n
Jr Peewee, Bantam, Cadet and Jr Minor. (See weighted division in sidebar.)<\/p>\n
“We were basically looking to give kids another option to be able to play tackle football,” Alejado said. “NYS allows for a higher weight class than Pop Warner.<\/p>\n
“A lot of the kids here were too heavy to make the cut (for a Pop Warner team), and their only option was to play in the Big Boyz league (which allows for unlimited weight).”<\/p>\n
Alejado played quarterback for Pearl City back in high school, while Kaupiko played the sport for Cal Lee at Saint Louis School.<\/p>\n
NYS, whose mission statement states, “to serve the youth, the family and the community through participation in youth sports,” started as a small Arizona company more than 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
The organization now serves approximately 45,000 youths each year. Hawaii is the 10th state to offer NYS football.<\/p>\n
NYS Hawaii’s 11-Man Tackle Football Summer League is co-ed and runs July 1-Oct. 15. Games will be played Saturdays, and all coaching is done by parents\/volunteers.<\/p>\n
Cost to join the league varies from $180 to $230 per player. (Equipment and uniforms are not included.)<\/p>\n
Prospective players may sign up Mondays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Kapolei Regional Park.<\/p>\n
For more information, call 356-9947 or 590-8887. <\/p>\n
Weighted Division Breakdown<\/strong><\/p>\n Players will be required to weigh in (unpadded) prior to each game. Player weights listed below indicate maximum weights for each age group, according to NYS rules.<\/p>\n Jr Peewee<\/strong> jackster.1969@yahoo.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If partners Paul Alejado and Brian Kaupiko have their way, a team from Hawaii soon may be competing in National..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-west-oahu-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n7 years old unlimited
\n8 years old under 105 lbs.
\n9 years old (older\/lighter) under 85 lbs.
\nBantam <\/strong>
\n8 years old unlimited
\n9 years old under 115 lbs.
\n10 years old (older\/lighter) under 95 lbs.
\nCadet <\/strong>
\n9 years old unlimited
\n10 years old under 125 lbs.
\n11 years old (older\/lighter) under 105 lbs.
\nJr Minor <\/strong>
\n10 years old unlimited
\n11 years old under 145 lbs.
\n12 years old (older\/lighter) under 125 lbs.<\/p>\n