1. sports

L A S V E G A S  J U LY 3 0 , 2 010  P R E V I E W I S S U E
Youth Sports Flash
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STORY
OF THE
WEEK
Mayweather
boxing camp:
A KNOCKOUT IDEA
Friendship, fitness focus
of center-ring activities
By Jeannette Carrillo
Spotlight on the Desert
Mermaids
—Page 4
Check out Game On for
BMX, other sports action
—Page 7
Heading into the last week of his
inaugural Mayweather Boxing Club
Summer Camp, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
couldn’t be happier with the results.
“It was important for me to offer a
free boxing camp this summer because I
wanted to allow (kids) to be part of a firstof-its-kind summer boxing camp. There’s
basketball and football camps out here
for kids to go to but not boxing camps,”
Mayweather said. “It makes me feel great
knowing that I’ve been blessed, and I’m in
a position to make a difference and give
back. It’s truly a great feeling.”
Tucked nondescriptly in between a
Chinese Baptist church and a learning
center, the team of volunteers, counselors
coaches and staff of Mayweather’s training
facility is hard at work, stressing a few vital
lessons on health and life. Behind a glass
door blanketed by black-out shades, the
5- to 7-year-old class is taking its morning
break. Kids decked out in white Reebok
T-shirts and black bicycle-like shorts chomp
Courtesy of floyd mayweather jr. foundation
U.S. boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. instructs kids in the fundamentals of
boxing at his first-ever free summer camp in Las Vegas.
on baby carrots and granola bars, while
volunteers keep watch. Behind another
door at the back of the room, the gym
opens into a cavernous loft of mirrors
alive with the sounds of teen campers
rocking speed bags, whirling jump
ropes and landing punches into padded
coaches’ mitts.
In the center of the space, the
ring sprawls out into a plush, elevated
stage. In the midst of activity, it is an
impressive sight.
“The purpose of the camp is twofold,”
explained Nicole Craig, president of the
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation.
“(The camp) is part of a positive
environment. It teaches boxing skills and
exposes kids to the benefits of health and
fitness. There is no contact in here.”
Or, at least not the kind of sparring
normally associated with boxing gyms.
Rather, a quick tour of the facility reveals
coNtiNUed oN pAge 2
En guard!
Fencing Academy
welcomes recreational,
competitive students
By DaviD Bennett
Coach’s corner: Titan
Youth Sports Foundation
gears up for season 4
—Page 6
Also in this issue:
out & about: Centennial Jr. Bulldogs
cheer squad - Page 3
gymcats turns ordinary kids into
athletic superstars - Page 5
After the game: Giovanni’s Pizza - Page 6
Work hard play hard: athletic
achievement leads to college - Page 5
Many sports promote sportsmanship,
respect and tradition. In fencing, those
attributes are part of its DNA as European
fencing schools date back to the 12th
century.
At the Fencing Academy of Nevada,
1220 S. Rainbow Blvd., instruction is for
both recreational and competitive fencers.
The academy’s philosophy and training
programs focus on the fencer as
an individual.
Colleen Brown, FAN manager, said the
academy is a community of fencers who
support one another.
“We have members ranging in age from
8 to 60,” said Brown. “Although I would
say 80 percent of our students are under
20. The attraction of fencing is that it is a
mentally and physically challenging sport,
Courtesy fenCing aCademy of nevada
Fencing Academy of Nevada students battle it out in June at the Summer Fencing
Nationals competition in Atlanta.
pitting one person against another. One
coached by a 40-year-old whose mentor is
of the owners of the Academy refers to
70 years old.
fencing as a physical chess game because
“This is one large, extended family,
fencers, just like chess players, are always
and they all share a love of the sport,”
thinking several moves ahead.”
Brown said.
The community of support Brown
On the subject of family, Brown said
refers to is the fact that an 8-year-old may
“My two sons are fencers, and I believe it
be taught by a 16-year-old who is being
coNtiNUed oN pAge 3
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
Page 2
July 30, 2010
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010
continued From page 1
Courtesy of floyd mayweather jr. foundation
Mayweather Boxing Club Summer Camp coaches lead classes through a tug-of-war exercise and other fitness workouts at Mayweather’s gym near Chinatown.
STORY
OF THE
WEEK
continued From page 1
a more sentimental type of human contact
in the form of a hug from one 5-year-old
camper to his classmate in support of a
good move.
“In here, it’s all about making friends,”
Craig said. “So far, we’ve had many kids ask
to come back, and we’ve invited back two
kids each from the earlier sessions to act as
mentors to the younger kids.”
The camp, which debuted July 5, is
set to run through Aug. 9 and is open to
boys and girls age 5 to 18 who applied for
the program in June. Three two-week-long
sessions lead campers divided into age
groups (5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16 and 17-18)
through lessons on fitness, discipline and
good sportsmanship.
The camps begin each day at 9 a.m.
and conclude at 12:30 p.m. Parents are
responsible for getting their kids to and
from the gym.
During the day, kids are shown a film,
followed by an open discussion on the set
of ethics highlighted on celluloid. Leonard
Ellerbe, chief executive officer of Floyd
Respect is big at Mayweather
Boxing Club Summer Camp. In
fact, it’s the No. 1 rule enforced
by the staff, volunteers, coaches
and counselors. The following
list, emphasizing the camp’s
Golden Rule, is posted, very
clearly, in the gym for all to see.
“The biggest
lesson I hope the
kids can take away
from the camp is
that hard work
and dedication can
help them achieve
anything they
want to in life.”
Respect:
-Yourself
-Your coach
-The gym/equipment
-Peers
-Volunteers
— Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather Jr. Promotions, leads each
talk. At that point, Ellerbe says he knows
the program has been a success by the type
of feedback he gets from kids.
“They ask all kinds of questions, and
they’re very respectful. They’re having fun,
and I know that they’re learning,” he said.
Two weeks in, Craig said that the
coaches, counselors and volunteers are
all adapting well, adding that the biggest
lesson the staff has learned this summer
has been patience.
“This is not a school environment,
even though they are all school-age kids,”
she explained. “But getting them to abide
by a structure has been a lesson for us all.”
Add to that the tight timing of putting
the finishing touches on the days’ activities,
coming on the heels of a major fight
promotion and the gym’s recent expansion
and Craig explained the pace has kept
everyone on their toes.
Thank goodness for a well-oiled
machine.
“The biggest lesson I hope the kids
can take away from the camp is that hard
work and dedication can help them achieve
anything they want to in life,” Mayweather
said.
In Las Vegas, the foundation is
researching offering an abbreviated camp
over the Christmas break, followed by one
next spring. Those camps would be shorter,
lasting one week in length.
For more information on the
Mayweather Boxing Club Summer Camp,
or for upcoming program dates and
application deadlines, call 671-4176,
or visit www.tfmjf.org.
is teaching them certain life lessons that
they will carry with them for the rest of
their lives. Not only are you competing in a
physical sport, but it’s also a mental sport
that requires composure.”
Thirteen-year-old Andrea Dilibero, a
student at Alexander Dawson School, has
been fencing for five
years and doesn’t want
to do anything else.
“I like the
competitiveness, and
it’s such a challenge,”
she said. “I’ve tried
other sports but
decided to focus on this
Andrea Dilibero, 13
one, and now practice four times a week.”
Last month, Andrea went to the
Summer Fencing Nationals in Atlanta and
participated in three events. There were
more than 100 competitors in each event
Page 3
and she placed in the top 50 of each one.
“I love it,” she said. “I just want to keep
doing it.”
Teaching Andrea is Yves Auriol, head
coach and maitre at the Academy, who was
inducted into the United States Fencing
Association Hall of Fame in 2007.
Brown is proud to point out that many
Fencing Academy of Nevada graduates
are competing at top fencing universities,
including Stanford, Harvard, Tufts, Air
Force and Ohio State.
Ongoing beginning classes for students
age 7 to 14 with little or no experience are
held throughout the year Monday through
Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. The cost is $175
per month for twice-a-week classes. All
equipment is provided, and the first class
is free.
For more information on the Fencing
Academy of Nevada, call 838-3320 or visit
www.fencingacademyofnevada.com.
Foil, épée or sabre?
Modern fencing originated in the 19th century as a direct continuation of the
18th century French school of fencing, and has been featured at every modern
Olympic Games. Currently, three types of weapon are used in Olympic fencing: foil,
épée and sabre.
 Foil is a light thrusting weapon, where the valid target is restricted to the torso,
the chest, shoulders and back. In the 17th century, it used to be named fleuret
and was developed in France.
 Épée is a heavy thrusting weapon, where the valid target area covers the
entire body.
 Sabre is a light cutting and thrusting weapon, where the valid target area is the
saddle line -- from one side of the fencer’s hip to the other and up, including
the head. The target area does not include the hands. The sabre is also used for
training because of its light weight. — David Bennett
Jeannette carrillo/Youth Sports Flash
Out & About: Caught by the YSF team
If you catch a fabulous photo moment, we’d love see it. Go to YouthSportsFlash.com to send us your picture for
consideration in Out & About.
From left, Kierra Johnson, 12, Gabriella Evangelista, 12, Alyssa Sayago, 12, and Kylie Nebeker,
13, members of the Centennial Jr. Bulldogs cheer squad take part in their team’s first fundraiser of the season July 24 at Albertsons at 8350 W. Cheyenne Ave. Funds raised during such
events go to support individual teams of the Southern Nevada Youth Sports Association, a
nonprofit corporation made up of four divisions of youth players. Participating students are
grouped into leagues made up of first and second, third and fourth, fifth and sixth and seventh and eighth graders. For more information on the organization, or to register for cheer or
football teams, visit www.lvnvfootball.com.
On the cover:
Index photos from top:
Paige Bentle in a synchronized swimming routine courtesy of The Desert Mermaids;
Shawn Kullman riding her BMX bike at Ed Fountain Park courtesy of Kirsten Harris myBMX.com; flag football practice courtesy of Titan Youth Sports Foundation.
Editor - Jeannette Carrillo
[email protected]
Sales - Lisa Chao
cell: 219-8885
sales@:YouthSportsFlash.com
Art Director - Luwana Masteller
[email protected]
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Page 4
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010
Mermaids in the desert
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010
WORK HARD Gymcats turns kids into superstars
PLAY HARD
By DaviD Bennett
Now’s your chance to tell us how hard you’ve worked
on and off the field, court, gridiron, track, etc. To be
considered for publication in Work Hard Play Hard,
go to YouthSportsFlash.com and tell us your story.
photos Courtesy of the desert mermaids
the desert Mermaids is Nevada’s only nationally ranked synchronized swim team, and
welcomes participation from swimmers between the ages of 7 to 17. clockwise from left,
Annelise Lipowitz, Hannah Halverson and emma Burns strike a pose. circle of friends are,
Haley Vogel, cassidy Ludwig, Nevie Lee, Amanda toolis, Mandie Stanton, Alex Morgan,
christine cornish and emily Ho. the desert Mermaids celebrate following their participation at the regionals meet in Arizona. enrollment for the desert Mermaids is open year
round and an introductory class is designed to help interested athletes learn more about
the sport in a complimentary week of tryout. the team’s summer recreation program is
scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at garside pool, 300 S. torrey
pines drive. For more information on the desert Mermaids, call Kim Vogel at 525-9731 or
visit www.nevadadesertmermaids.com.
Section sponsored by The National Association For Moms In Business - www.NAFMIB.org
Page 5
Andrew Mahalik, 18, earned an
academic scholarship to the College of
Eastern Utah in Price, Utah, following
his work on the mound as a pitcher for
Shadow Ridge High School. He graduated
in June from Northwest Career and
Technical Academy.
Mahalik is the son of Betty and Andy
Mahalik of Las Vegas.
Of her son’s achievement, Betty said,
“We are so proud of him because he got
there through his own perseverance and
dedication. That’s the truth.”
Section sponsored by MePromos.com
The summer is bustling at Gymcats,
a training ground for would-be junior
Olympians that was founded in 1992.
Young girls and boys of all ages are
picking dance, gymnastics, cheerleading
or marital arts, where they will learn the
various disciplines that will make her or
him a more competent dancer, gymnast,
cheerleader or martial arts competitor.
Cassandra Rice, owner of Gymcats,
said the curriculum is based on the
USA Gymnastics Jr. Olympic program
that provides training at all levels from
beginning to Olympic.
“We are proud that numerous
members of our program have gone on to
earn college scholarships,” said Rice, who
was named 2001 International Elite Coach
of the Year.
“One even became an Olympian,
gymnast Tasha Schwikert. On top of that,
14 recent graduating seniors have gone on
to full gymnastics scholarships at various
universities.”
This summer, Gymcats offered cheer
camps called Cheer Jam for young boys
and girls who were either just starting out
or who had some cheer experience.
Tiffany Jolley, head cheer coach
explained how each child was divided into
different levels.
“Most were girls between the ages of 6
to 16. For some, it was their first contact
with Gymcats and a great introduction
to what cheer is all about. Others are
photo Courtesy of gymCats
gymcats students take a break from a workout to show off some gym spirit.
geared toward teaching kids more advanced
returning for a second or third time
tumbling skills.
because they’re serious about cheerleading,
“Last year, several girls from a middle
and this gives them a head start on
school came as a group to Cheer Jam,” said
improving their skills.”
Jolley. “They worked together and were
Cheer Jam offers specialized training
able to take back to their school all the new
in tumbling, dance, jumps, routines and
things they learned. The three-day camp is
stunting. As students' cheerleading skills
a combination of cheers, choreography and
increase, some join the competitive cheer
tumbling. On the final day, we have a girls
teams to compete locally or on a national
night out with a pizza and movie night.”
level. Others have gone on to receive
According to Jolley, there are several
scholarships to excel at universities such
levels of instruction. Level One teaches
as Boise State, Oregon State and North
basic arm positions, jumps, tumbling,
Carolina State.
stunting, chants and basic formations.
Jolley focuses on basic cheerleading,
Level Two sees an increase in difficulty
tumbling and jumps in her beginning cheer
in all areas, including jumps, motions,
classes so that each child can eventually
tumbling and stunting. At this level, each
have the skills to make a competitive or
school cheer team. Tumbling classes are
coNtiNUed oN pAge 7
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Phone: 1.702.736.9179
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Page 6
After the
Game
By DaviD Bennett
The Giovanni family has been hosting
after-game pizza parties for the youth of
Southern Nevada for some 20 years, and
it remains a popular place no matter what
the sport or time of year.
Open five days a week, the Henderson
hangout is located at 7380 S. Eastern Ave.
at Warm Springs Road. Business hours are
Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to
9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.
to 10 p.m.
“What’s nice is that while the kids are
enjoying their pizza, adults can order off
our regular menu,” said Sue Giovanni,
describing the abundance of Old-Worldstyle Italian favorites like homemade
lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs or
sausage, jumbo cheese ravioli, linguine
with pesto sauce, chicken Marsala and
baked ziti. Of course, if you’re in the mood
for a signature calzone, a Stromboli or
some New York-style cheesecake, well, they
have that, too.
And, when it comes to post-game
celebrations, Sue requests that teams call
ahead to secure a table. But if they walk
in without a reservation, she said, “Don’t
worry, we won’t kick you out.”
For reservations, 896-6050.
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010
Nikki says: Don’t just be in it to win it
GAME ON
Four seasons and growing. Learning
from the past and taking those lessons into
the future is critical to success in sports.
And nowhere do we as coaches witness
that than on the field.
Success to us is different in a lot of
ways. As leaders, we are not just in it to win
it. As long as our kids enjoy themselves and
come off the field confident that they did
their best, we score a win with the sight of
the smiles on their faces.
As coaches, our job is to help kids have
fun learning the fundamentals of sports.
We strive at teaching our football players
good sportsmanship, good conduct, to be
team players and most definitely to have
fun in all that they do.
Being a coach goes well beyond
fieldwork, as the responsibility also makes
us role models and mentors. Our actions
as coaches truly reflect our players.
And because we work with children, we
endure lots of different personalities and
attitudes. But when it’s all said and done,
it’s worth every effort we extend to see the
rewards of an increased well-being.
We have seen how confidence
markedly improves a youngster’s overall life
experience and accomplishments in school.
We have witnessed, on several occasions,
the positive changes in children’s attitudes
toward school, and see proof of aboveaverage academic achievements.
Being involved with after-school
activities allows children's talents and true
potential to shine. With a boosting of
To submit event information to be considered for
publication in Game On, go to YouthSportsFlash.com
Nikki
Kilburg
coAcH’S corNer
their self-esteem, kids will, hopefully, learn
to give back, making a difference in the
community. As coaches, we aim to see the
Success to us is
different in a lot
of ways. As leaders,
we are not just in it
to win it. As long
as our kids enjoy
themselves and
come off the field
confident that
they did their best, we
score a win with the
sight of the smiles
on their faces.
increased confidence and teamwork propel
kids to do their very best.
We take pride in all that we teach our
children on and off of the football field.
Some basic rules include: Players will not
act in a manner that is disrespectful toward
any teammate or opposing team; fighting
among players and coaches is absolutely
not to be tolerated; parents and coaches
will demonstrate good sportsmanship
regardless of the score of the game; players
will display good sportsmanship ahead of
their own desire to win; and players will
shake hands with opposing team members
at the conclusion of all games.
So far at Titan Youth Sports
Foundation, nowhere have we seen the
success that follows a lesson well learned
than in our own company.
Every season so far, our core of
coaches has seen our company grow in so
many different ways. And when we were
reminded by our fitness coach that the fun
element we started in Season One seemed
to be lacking in our program, we quickly
got a grip and put the fun back into our
teams. And, you guessed it, the success
of going into our fourth season quickly
followed.
Lessons. Learn from them and
everyone wins. Bring it back season four,
we’re ready to roar!
Page 7
coNtiNUed FroM pAge 5
student must have a hurdle round off and
good arm motions. They also begin work
in a team-structured setting.
Level Three continues to build on the
foundation each student received in Level
Two. This class expands stunting, sharp
motions and tumbling. After completing
all three levels, students compete for
becoming a Mini Star, Blue Star, Gold Star
or All-Star team member.
Besides Jolley, cheer instructors are
Brandon Atkins and Christina Madison.
Gymcats is located at 440 S. Parkson
Road in Henderson.
Free synchro swim
show set for Aug. 5
If you're interested in synchronized
swimming, check out Catch The Wave, an
all-city synchronized swimming show set
for 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 5.
The event is free and will take place at
Baker Pool, 1100 E. St. Louis Ave.
This year’s show will take spectators on
a synchro surfing tour. Swim teams from
around the county will perform.
For information, call 229-6395.
Bowling for scholarships
The Junior Bowlers Tour heads into the
Las Vegas Open at The Orleans Bowling
Center at 8 a.m. Aug. 6-8.
The 14th-annual event will award a
$4,000 scholarship top scratch prize, along
with a $2,500 top handicap scholarship.
Walk-ins are welcome. Open to bowlers age
9 to 21.
For information, call 365-7400.
Free backpack & 51’s fun
Nikki Kilburg is a coach at Titan Youth Sports
Foundation, a national nonprofit organization
specializing in 11-man youth tackle football. Titan
Youth Sports Foundation is affiliated with American
Youth Football and is a national partner of the
National Football League. To contact Nikki, call
272-0000 or email [email protected].
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010
Go back to school in style later this
month with the help of the Las Vegas 51s,
as the team hosts backpack night Aug. 7.
Be one of the first 2,500 fans through the
gates to receive a logo knapsack.
The 51s will take on the Memphis
Redbirds, the triple-A affiliate of the St.
Louis Cardinals. Gates open at 6 p.m.;
game starts at 7:05 p.m.
Continue your collection of 51’s
bobbleheads with Las Vegas comedian Rita
Rudner, Aug. 10.
The 51’s will take on the Nashville
Sounds. Game time is 7:05pm.
Cashman Field is located at 850 Las
Vegas Blvd N. For tickets, call 798-7825.
Courtesy of Kirsten harris - myBmx.Com
Cimarron Rose Community Center,
5591 N. Cimarron Road, on Saturdays,
beginning in September.
The fee is $70 and includes a jersey, an
award, practices and a weekly game.
For information, call 229-1607.
present a free archery workshop for kids
age 7-15 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Aug. 20.
Advance registration is required.
For information, call 229-6374.
Titan Youth Sports Foundation is
accepting registration for youth tackle
football through Aug. 14.
For more information call 272-0000.
The Nellis Gun Club's junior smallbore program is in full swing this summer,
from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 28-29.
Designed for kids age 8-19, the program
is open to the public and focuses on
safety, markmanship and responsibility.
Fees are $7 to $10, depending on the type
of gun reserved, and includes the gun,
ammunition and targets.
Registration must be made one week
prior to the shoot day/s.
For directions, information or to RSVP,
call 453-8565.
The 2nd Annual MAACO Bowl
Clinic sponsored by the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
youth football will be held Aug. 6 at the
University of Nevada.
The three-hour clinic will be led by
the UNLV coaching staff and head coach
Bobby Hauck.
The clinic is free and open to kids age
8 to 14. Teens entering the 9th grade do
not qualify. Open to registered players
with a payment of $40 toward their league
registration. For more information, visit
www.lvnvfootball.com.
Register now for
fishing workshop
Courtesy of the City of las vegas
Are you ready for
some football?
The city of Las Vegas Department of
Leisure Services will hold registration for
three NFL fall flag football leagues for kids
age 6-14 on Aug. 1. Youth age divisions are
6-8, 9-11 and 12-14.
Competition will take place at the
Land a whopper, or a whopper of a
tale, Aug. 14, when Doolittle Community
Center, 1950 N. J St., hosts a free fishing
workshop for kids age 7-15.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and run
to noon. Advance registration is required.
For information, call 229-6374.
Learn to use a bow & arrow at
city-sponsored program
Tired of traditional sports? Then
why not give archery a try? The Doolittle
Community Center, 1950 J. St., will
Gun club welcomes
junior marksmen
BMX under way weekly at
Ed Fountain Park
BMX practice, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays,
fee, $5. Racing Thursdays, registration
from 6 to 7 p.m., fee, $10. Ed Fountain
Park, located at the corner of Vegas Drive
and Decatur Boulevard.
For information, www.efpbmx.com.
Paralymic sports scheduled
through August
Paralympic Sports Club of Las Vegas
Quad rugby, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays
through August, ages 18 and over, fee, $30,
John C. Fremont Middle School, 1100 E.
St. Louis Ave.
Track & field/hand cycling, 7:30 a,m.
to noon, Wednesdays and Fridays through
August, all ages, fee $30, Rancho High
School, 1900 Searles Ave.
For more information, call 229-4796.
Courtesy of gymCats
christian Waltan takes part in
one of the free Autism classes at
gymcats in Henderson.
Autism project
puts gymnasium
students in the
driver’s seat
two years ago, Gymcats began
offering free classes for kids with
autism. according to Cassandra
rice, Gymcats owner, it has been an
incredible success.
“Gymcats teamed up with
F.e.a.t. (Families for early autism
treatment) to help kids of autism
build relationships, learn social skills,
and improve gross motor learning
skills while having fun,” said rice.
“our 45-minute class is held once a
month on a Sunday. it begins with
the child meeting his or her partner.
that partner is one of our kids
who is attending Gymcats and has
volunteered to be an assistant to a
child with autism.”
the class starts with an opening
obstacle course, which works on basic
rolls, balance skills, climbing over and
under things, and jumping. later, they
form groups and work on a routine
to music.
“We have seen tremendous
changes in the kids who come
to class regularly,” said rice. “We
see improvements in listening,
coordination and strength. Part of that
is because they relate so well with our
Gymcats kids.”
For more information on Gymcats’
classes for children with autism,
call 566-1414.
— david Bennett
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Page 8
Youth Sports Flash  Las Vegas
July 30, 2010