Stars from the NFL and CFL were represented at the HOP – Hawaii Optimum Performance Youth Football Clinic with Michael Bennett held at the University of Hawaii's Ching Field on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
Hawaii Optimum Performance presented the free football clinic for kids from ages 7-18. Sponsors included The University of Hawaii at Manoa Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science Department and The Hawaii Concussion Management & Awareness Program.
Former UH Warriors and CFL and NFL veterans Chad Owens, Vince Manuwai and Nate Ilaoa joined Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive End Michael Bennett and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Punter Michael Koenen as clinic instructors.
Several football clinic participants representing Pearl City and the Leeward area also took part in the free clinic. Skills and lessons learned during the clinic are designed to benefit the young student athletes on and off field in years to come.
"This is a great opportunity for these kids to learn from these players that have been in the NFL and CFL and played at a higher level. The techniques that they picked up today will help improve their skills and also today's clinic instruction is to teach the kids life lessons of setting goals and being of good character."
….Kevin Chang, Co-Owner, Hawaii Optimum Performance
"This the first time conducting this clinic and it's only going to get better every year. I'm really looking forward to seeing how much better it gets. The most important thing is education, that's the thing we talk about the most and what it takes to get there. It's not so much the football aspect but everything else that surrounds it"
….Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"It's always good when you can have a chance to give back to these kids. We were all there once and we know how much it means to them to be able to come out to things like this. For us, it's about giving back and being a part of this is very special."
.. Chad Owens, Former UH Warrior Standout and 2013 CFL MVP and Grey Cup Champion.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
(From left to right) Kevin Chang, Co-Owner, Hawaii Optimum Performance, Michael Bennett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chad Owens, Former UH Warrior Standout and 2013 CFL MVP, and Ross Oshiro, Co-Owner, Hawaii Optimum Performance.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Pearl City Chargers who took part in the football clinic to better their football skills.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Tampa Bay Buccaneer Punter Michael Koenen pictured working with punters in the 13-18 years old clinic division.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Coach Bennett pictured warming up the 7-12 year olds.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
These guys got skills!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Michael Bennett pictured signing autographs after the 13-18 year olds clinic session.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Chad Owens puts his autograph on the back of one of his biggest fans.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
A happy clinic participant gets an autograph from former UH Warrior and veteran NFL lineman Vince Manuwai.
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Everyone had a great time!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Unity!
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]
Members from the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Optimum Performance pose for a photo during the HOP Youth Football Clinic held at the University of Hawaii's Ching Field on Saturday, January 19, 2013.