Willow Glen Resident

Community

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Teamwork: The Gardner Community Center revived its flag football program after a two-year hiatus. Players (from left) Saul Diez De Bonilla, Marcus Needles, recreation leader Avan Duong, Armando Briseno, Michael Posada and Ruben Dominquez say it sets a good example of teamwork and commitment for younger children.

Flag football at Gardner back in play after hiatus

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

Gardner neighborhood youth have re-laced their cleats and pulled out the football from the closet this winter.

After a two-year hiatus due to lack of interest and funds, the community youth flag football program was once again the topic of discussion at every dinner table in the neighborhood.

With the resurrection of the sport, Willow Glen Middle School student Ruben Dominguez got to show his abilities as part of the Gardner flag football team.

Ruben says the reasons he has stuck with the program are simple.

"It's the excitement of catching the ball and scoring a point for my team," he says. "It's hanging out with my friends and meeting new people."

Ruben says the program plays an important role in keeping youth off the streets. It gives them something healthy and fun to do after school and on the weekends, as well as teaching teamwork and commitment.

Rich says the sport also helps those involved set an example for the younger generations.

"It shows them not to be in a gang, not to be bad," Ruben says. "It teaches them that they should be around friends and family instead."

Teammate Armando Briseno agrees.

"This program is important because it stops bad habits before they form and helps inspire the little kids," he says.

Being part of the team, Armando says, comes down to the love of the game and the joy of winning.

The program, a collaboration between interested community centers in San Jose, is designed as an after-school program to keep local youth off the streets. Each year, a different center hosts the Saturday games.

The program, in existence for more than 30 years, has become a tradition in the Gardner neighborhood.

"Football is a good, safe sport," says San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services recreation leader and Gardner coach Avan Duong. "It's a controlled atmosphere with a lot of community history behind it."

This year's group of community centers includes Alum Rock, Alviso and Gardner, with Alviso hosting this season's games. The popularity of this season, however, has stirred interest at other community centers that didn't have teams, Duong says.

Parents are happy to see the return of this community tradition.

The sport serves as a teaching tool for the youth of the community, says Gardner resident Pati Palomares-Mason.

"It teaches them about teamwork and the pros and cons that go along with working with each other," she says.

The program also serves as a confidence booster for kids who may not receive encouragement in the home or at school.

"We want them to know that they are important, that people see them for what they are--boys learning to be young adults," Palomares-Mason says. "This just shows them another level of life and teaches them to be brothers."