Previous Story
NMIFA looking for leaders
|
Posted on Oct 28 2006
Organizers of the islands’ fastest growing athletic association are hoping for adults eager to help its kids as the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association is looking to the community for coaches.
While most of the over 400 children spend their weekends and several weekdays at the American Memorial Park pitch learning the ropes, the boys of the 11-14 division are in need of help.
According to NMIFA youth league director Sue Knecht, a number of coaches in other divisions are asked to take on additional teams, but they can only do so much.
“Arkie has generously been spending every evening of his time to help us in Youth, Women’s and Refereeing. But he can’t do it alone. This group has not been able to play one regular season game in the past four weeks because they don’t have any dedicated coaching,” she said.
Currently there are four teams worth of players looking to get their kicks, most of whom either have a parent who knows nothing at all about the game or are just not comfortable in coaching according to Knecht.
“I know it’s not your responsibility, but I would really appreciate for people to come forward and say ‘Yes, I will volunteer to help salvage these boys’ season by agreeing to take a team and coach them for the following eight days,” she said.
The eight days Knecht referred to was the total amount of games and practices on the schedule. Volunteers need to be available on Monday and Thursday evenings between 4:30pm and 6pm for the games and practice sessions, and just one Saturday during the end of the season tournament on Nov. 18 beginning at 8am.
Time is ticking for the kids as games are scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 30, at 4:30pm. For more information or to volunteer, contact Knecht via email at sueknecht1@yahoo.com.
