Castle Hosting NFL Junior Player Development Clinic

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With one of the most visible football programs in the state, the Castle coaching staff has been giving back to the community for some time, and they’ll continue to do so next week with a little help from the National Football League.

For the second year in a row, Knights head coach Nelson Maeda and his assistants will present an NFL-sponsored Junior Player Development Clinic at the high school.

“It’s a great opportunity (for kids),” Maeda said, “and the price is right.” The clinic is free and open to youths age 12 to 14 with no weight limit. Each participant receives a free practice jersey, free tote bag, a mini-football and an opportunity to learn game fundamentals in full gear, which has been shipped in by the NFL (helmets, shoulder pads and lower body pads).

The clinic will run July 24 to 29 and is one of five being held on Oahu this summer. Aiea, Moanalua, Waialua and Waipahu are also hosting clinics. Weekday sessions are 4 to 6 p.m., with Saturday’s practice from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

“It gives us an opportunity to work with the younger kids, who are so eager to learn,” Maeda said. “It’s a nice thing - we really enjoy working with that age group. The clinic will expose them to all of the positions. They get to play quarterback, running back, linebacker, defensive back - positions they might not normally be exposed to.

“If they don’t want to try a new position, it’s entirely up to them. We try to make it fun for them, and from a more selfish perspective, it gives us a chance to work with our own 14-year-olds who will be coming in (to compete for Castle).”

Since Pop Warner football imposes weight limits, those that don’t make the weight class are the ones who benefit the most from the NFL clinic.

“It allows them to be initiated into football,” Maeda explained. “We have kids who have never put pads on before. It’s also good for the kids who do play Pop Warner football. This is a nice lead-in for them, since their official starting date begins the following week.”

Under HHSAA rules, Castle and other schools are not allowed supervised workouts next week. Fall camp for Hawaii’s prep football teams begins July 31 after one week off, making the NFL-sponsored clinic perfect for the Knights’ coaching staff.

“The coaches will move right on (into fall camp),” Maeda said.

He doesn’t recall similar opportunities available to kids when he was growing up. “Training has changed dramatically,” said Maeda, who once played for Dick Tomey at UH and is entering his 10th season as Castle head coach. “In those days, you tried to play other sports to stay in shape. I didn’t start playing football until ninth grade.”

The NFL-sponsored clinics were created to expose youngsters to all the different positions with an emphasis on fundamentals. Requirements include a physical exam for contact football, a parent permission/NFL waiver form and a copy of the player’s birth certificate. Forms may be picked up at high school office during business hours, or on the field from Maeda between 3:30 and 7 p.m.

For more information, call 292-4964.