Cantwell HS joins with NFL in youth football camp

Cantwell Sacred heart of Mary High School will be the site for the second of two week-long sessions of the free full contact football skills camp sponsored and paid for by the National Football League's Junior Player Development (JPD) program Sunday (July 20) with equipment issue at noon.

The camp, in its fifth year at Cantwell, is for boys and girls ages
10-14, and the two forms necessary for registration can be downloaded on
www.cshmfootball.com (click on NFL JPD Camp in left column).

Physicals are required for participation. For those who have not
had one recently, they will be offered at Salazar Park in East Los
Angeles from Noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $20.

The equipment used is provided by the NFL.

The camp will feature fundamentals and techniques at all positions.
Instructors will include former East Los Angeles College head coach Rich
Gamboa and Cantwell head coach Pete Smolin and his staff.

"This is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn more about the
game, and a great opportunity for our players to interact with the
community," Smolin said. The Cardinals players will provide support for the
coaches during drills.

The camp was initiated by the NFL as an introductory/developmental
youth tackle program designed to teach every particpant, every position,
through a step-by-step progression of skill instruction packaged in a
re-adaptive, fun and entertaining manner.

In addition to an NFL practice jersey, a football, a bag and a
participation certificate, all participants receive counseling through a
life skills/character development curriculum to be incorporated
throughout all on-field activities, with instructors making connections
between life skills as they are applied to football as well as other
areas of life, especially school, at home and in the community.

Smolin said that last week's initial session drew 150 participants.
As of Saturday, he said there are were about 80 registrants for this
week's session.

For more information, call (323) 877-2066, ext. 31.