While catching a flight out from Honolulu, I ran into coach Ray Maae who is the the owner of the Kapolei Islanderz (USO Athletic Club - Kapolei Islanderz) football team and part of the Hawai State Jr. Prep Sports Association. They were heading to Kauai for a football game and I noticed two girl players. According to coach Maae, the little one is his quarterback #10, Skye Olores-Fernandez from Kauai and the other is his wide receiver #23, Kiara Tiumalu who plays wide receiver, outside linebacker and quarterback too. Wow, go get 'em girls! Coach explained that the new football format is grade based, not weight restricted, giving kids a chance to play and have fun and is similar to the Big Boyz football style based unlimited weight division.The divisions are split between 5th and 6th graders for the elementary division and has 9 teams. The 7th and 8th graders for the intermediate division has 10 teams. There are two seasons, Spring (Feb-May) and Fall (July-Dec).
I also had an opportunity to meet Kapolei QB, #10 Skye Olores-Fernandez (photo above) and her parents, Evelyn and Kaleo Fernandez (offensive coach). Skye said prior to joining the Kapolei Islanderz, she lived on Kauai and played baseball as a pitcher and 1st baseman for the Waimae Blue Jays. She also played a little soccer for various teams on Kauai, but when she moved to Honolulu, she told her mom she didn't want to play baseball or soccer and wanted to try something different. One day at school, she saw a sign for Kapolei Islanderz football and asked her mom if she could play. Her parents told her as long as she had good grades she could give it a try. At try outs, the coaches were looking for someone with an arm and they noticed Skye had a quick reaction. Today, she is the QB for the Kapolei Islanderz. After today's game against the Lihue Bulldogs (14-32), I was able to witness her quickness as QB and her handoffs.
In her first game against the Waikele Wildcats, she completed 90% of her passes. Her mom, Evelyn and dad, Kaleo said Skye has been an avid sports girl since the age of 4. As soon as Skye was old enough to play, she was registered right away. It seems Skye is not alone in her world of football, because her dad is the team offensive coordinator and her mom is the team mom. Evelyn said Skye really enjoys football and she loves her second ohana, the Kapolei Islanderz.
Coach Maae further related, "as an all-volunteer organization, the hard work of many parents, coaches and board members have been the backbone of the Hawaii State Jr. Prep Sports Association. We believe in being the best youth football organization possible by keeping the interest of the children first and maintaining strong values, which include sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility and commitment." Kapolei Islanderz website, "click here." To see todays action photos, "click here."
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