As Coastside prepares to host a Pop Warner jamboree Sunday, John Tittle, the league’s new president, is learning a lot of new names.
“We did a lot of fund-raising this year,” Tittle said. “We recruited very hard. We explained the life lessons kids could get from playing football. We also told parents that Pop Warner stresses academics.”
 More than 100 football players of various ages and sizes plan to participate in the Coastside Pop Warner football program this year. Coastside is fielding at least five teams this year. |
More than 100 kids between the ages of 5 and 15 are playing at some level. Coastside is now able to field five teams after fielding just three teams last year. A sixth team might form if more players sign up for the Pee Wee (ages 9-12) team.
The team from the Midget Division won the Division III Pacific Northwest Championship with a second team, from the Pee Wee Division, taking second in that division.
“I think the title breeds success,” said Stuart Hines, who coached the Midget team to the title. “We have a lot of kids who have a lot of high hopes for the season.”
With the addition of the Tiny Mites, there are many players who are new to the game and all of its nuances.
For those slightly older, the reasons for playing football vary. Some, like Pablo Gutierrez and his brother Sergio, have never played football before.
“We want to play more sports,” said Sergio as he was carrying his bag to practice. “We already play baseball.”
Coastside plays in the Peninsula Pop Warner League. According to the league Web site, there are more than 7,500 participants in the league, which stretches from Salinas and Monterey in the south to Pacifica and Half Moon Bay in the north and Brentwood and Pittsburg in the east.
“Someone told me Peninsula Pop Warner is the largest program outside of Florida,” Tittle said.
Each city that services its area youth for Pop Warner has a population that easily surpasses Half Moon Bay’s numbers.
“That says a lot for our community,” Tittle said. “We are successful despite the small numbers. It says a lot for the coaching.”
The fund-raising was just as successful as Coastside players now work with new equipment.
While winning is nice, and makes life more enjoyable, Hines says he looks for something else.
“As long as the kids are having fun, winning will take care of itself,” said Hines, who coaches the Junior Pee Wees (age 8). “The goal for us is to get better and better every day.”
Coastside is scheduled to host the Jamboree against Berkeley, starting with the Tiny Mites playing at 8 a.m., according to league officials. There’s a $6 entry fee for fans 16 and older.
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