The Leeward Steelers Pop Warner Youth Football and Cheer teams are headed to the mainland this week to represent Kona on the big stage.
And they’re taking their fundraising effort down to the wire.
With just days until the 70-some boys and girls along with eight chaperones are set to fly to the West Coast and beyond, the families and athletes have been out in force working to raise the $120,000 needed. As of Friday, more than $60,000 had been raised with the nonprofit hoping to raise the rest by the time all those young athletes board flights Thursday.
“The kids deserve this,” said Leeward Steelers Pop Warner Youth Football Vice President Keoni Paoa as the nonprofit 501(C)(3) worked to raise money along roads in Kona.
It’s the first time the Leeward Steelers are sending so many athletes to the mainland – four divisions in all — and it will be the first time the team is headed for play on the mainland since 2017 when the Kona team represented Hawaii in Pop Warner Super Bowl.
Three football divisions qualified for events in California with the undefeated Leeward Steelers 8U division securing a spot in the “Super Bowl” for their age group. Athletes on the 10U and 14U teams will play in “bowl” games.
The cheer squad, which comprises nine girls ages 9 to 12, will accompany the football teams, cheering on each division in its games in California before the girls board a flight to compete in the 2022 Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer &Dance Championships slated Dec. 3 to 10 in Orlando, Florida.
“It’s our first time ever. We are so excited — nervous, but excited,” said Tiani Masters, coach.
Twelve-year-old Kaylee Paoa was among the athletes working to raise funds on Black Friday, waving signs and collecting donations using nets at the intersection of Kaiwi Street and Kuakini Highway. Paoa played defensive back for the Leeward Steelers until she was sidelined with an injury this year at which point she decided to give cheerleading a try.
“It’s really fun and I’ve got the opportunity to shine in a different sport,” she said. “I really want to go to Florida where I can see the competition — I want to see how those cheerleaders are in the big light.”