SML, DYS launch Koblerville Youth Program

The Saipan Major League Baseball Association, in partnership with the Division of Youth Services, has announced plans of implementing a new youth program based in Koblerville.

The purpose of the youth program is to bring “at-risk” and/or underprivileged youngsters, ages 14 to 18, together and brainstorm ways to improve and promote life-skill challenges such as discipline, fostering friendship and camaraderie, respect, sportsmanship, and understanding the significance of being leaders in their community.

One plan of the group is to create and establish a club that consists of club officers (i.e., president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and other committees as deemed necessary) to carry out its objectives which may include: village clean-ups, free yard clean-ups, sponsoring a youth dance, conducting bake sales, and organizing various sports activities to promote healthy living.

Funds generated from these activities may be used to purchase supplies and materials to be reinvested in the club. There are other projects and activities already lined by the group to take place later this year.

Community leaders and expert personnel from the various public and private entities are also expected to conduct seminars on an array of different topics; parents are encouraged to register their kids to participate in the activities.

According to some youth program organizers, as stated in a recent email, partaking in the anticipated community youth activities is necessary to ensure that such individuals of the aforementioned age group, and those living in poverty especially, are properly accommodated.

Although relatively new to the idea, the SMLBA will take the lead role in organizing the implementation of this program and is inviting other interested parties to join in the effort.

SMLBA has conducted youth developmental programs such as baseball clinics, camps, tournaments, and leagues, in the past, in an effort to entice participation from the youth population. Their previous programs are also aimed at deterring negative activities amongst this age group.

Other SMLBA events include a youth baseball clinic to prepare players for its upcoming 2012 Summer/Fall Baseball Youth League as well as an upcoming coaches and umpires’ clinic for certification purposes, which will be held once week each on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

For more information, contact SMLBA’s Tony Rogolifoi at 288-5426 or 785-0823.