Niagara Police
Athletic League
2015 Annual Report
2015 Annual Report
Niagara Police Athletic League
For four-and-a-half decades (almost five if you add football) Niagara PAL has been, so to speak, the be-all and end-all for youth programming in the Niagara Community. PAL has been resilient and able to adapt as necessary to these changing times and new demands. An ever decreasing population and continuing challenges for local business, makes soliciting sufficient resources, (both human and monetary), increasingly arduous. We also have demands for new programs, and increased expectations for existing ones. Making decisions to add or eliminate programs are all a part of the equation! In spite of all the issues, Niagara PAL not only maintained the status quo, but managed to increase its presence through new programs like instructional tennis and rugby, adjusting existing endeavors, 4 Mile to a 6 Mile run and relay and most important, the continued evolution of the Board of Directors with a renewed emphasis on the basic premises that has make Niagara PAL successful: Put the kids first, everything else will follow.
Although the financial situation remained stagnant through 2015, it didn’t get any worse. But at the same time, it did get better either. PAL, by judicious use of available funds, was able to maintain the usual high level of youth programs. From the financial side it appears that 2016 will be basically the same as the past few years: difficult, but not impossible. The continued search for new and dedicated funding, while maintaining what we have, is on the top of the list. PAL makes it a priority to keep fees to the children as low as possible to cover expenses and in many programs, no fees at all!
The reorganization of PAL is probably 90% complete with an expanded, enthusiastic Board of Directors, a renewed emphasis on making programs the best they can be and making change where necessary (i.e. moving the Steakout to the Frontier County Club). There will be a concerted effort to be even more of a community partner, (PAL invented shared resources.) and to ensure that Niagara PAL continues to be the “Renaissance Agency of Youth Agencies.
2015 Niagara Police Athletic League Programs
Affecting Youth Still searching for the right on-air personalities, hopefully 2016 is the year.
Basketball
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Mark “Chief ” Williams Memorial Tournament: The tourney “bounced” back with an increased number of teams and quality play.
Girls Summer High School League: In the Niagara Catholic gym with the Boy’s & Girl’s Club providing the expertise allowing the girls to play over the summer.
Alan R. Elia Memorial Tournament: Still the only tournament that creates an international competition.
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ACE All Star Games: The best of the best seniors in their final hurrah and the under classmen get to show off their talents.
Clinics: Designed to allow the younger and novice players an opportunity to improve.
Shootout: Final look for many in an open gym concept.
Hoop Challenge: By invitation, an intense workout to make better players.
Elementary School League: Cerrone Trucking again providing the financial support for a league that just keeps improving.
Elite 32: When you get to good for the ESL, you get to play here.
JV Boys League: An increased number of teams in year three with involvement of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
Brian Swayze Students of Excellence For more than three decades Niagara PAL has recognized the best and the brightest high school seniors for their academic prowess, their community involvement and their leadership abilities, 42 a year from 14 area schools.
Concession Trailer Provides an opportunity for the kids to learn business basics.
PAL Summer Soccer Program: Pizza, drinks and candy at reasonable prices for the way home after soccer.
Kidz & Kites: Sell some pizza and hot dogs and serve lunch to up to a 1,000 youthful kite flyers.
Wildlife Festival: The attendance was less than in previous years, but still a profitable endeavor.
Counseling When and where needed!
Distracted Driving Continued to emphasis the message that distracted is dangerous.
Do The Right Thing Honor those youth that have done something positive for their school or community. All receiving a T-Shirt and certificate.
Do The Right Thing Ceremony: Additional recognition to those that did a little more, Sheriff, Police Chief and Honor Guard extoll their virtues and on OSC 21.
Drug/Alcohol Awareness An ongoing effort in a variety of ways to ensure that they understand the issue.
Every 15 Minutes This two day drinking and driving diversion program, now with an added emphasis on distracted driving, has had a positive effect on the seniors at Niagara Falls High School, still no driving incidents during Class Day or Prom.
Festival and Telethon Still a work in progress, changing location to the field house, adding components, subtracting some, but overall a positive event with good exposure and also raising a little money for the cause.
Fine Arts Awards The artistic abilities of the students never ceases to amaze! This is the most under rated and under publicized aspect of high school talent that exists. From the artists to the musicians, that are great.
Football Moved to Pop Warner this year.
Golf At Hyde Park with the NFHS golf team and members Niagara County Sheriff’s Department providing the instruction the program continues to improve.
Great Niagara Steakout After an outstanding 10 year run at the Hyde Park Golf Course the committee decided it was time to freshen it up, so to speak. So 2016 will find the tourney at the Niagara Frontier Country Club in an effort to enhance the experience for the golfers, provide additional exposure for the sponsors and lessen the tasks of the volunteers.
Join us at:
“The 11th Annual PAL Great Niagara Steakout”
Monday July 11, 2016 Niagara Frontier Country Club
Handicapped Whatever support we can provided to this special group of youth, we do.
Holiday Card Signing A simple effort to brighten the day of many.
Internships Assisting students to find what they might want to do with their future by allowing them to see what is out there.
Kids Escaping Drugs * A collaborative effort with the Niagara County Sheriffs Department to create awareness and raise a few dollars for a good cause.
Kidz & Kites Numbers of flyers was down a bit still a great day.
Lacrosse Program continues to generate interest and grow with plans to add additional components in 2016.
Parents and Partners Dinner The Niagara Falls Board of Education recognizes, including Niagara PAL, all the community partners that support the educational process.
Post Prom Party One more endeavor to keep them safe.
Rugby* Like lacrosse and other programs, the effort to establish a youth rugby program was initiated and hopefully will exist in 2016.
Scholarship
Mark” Chief” Williams Memorial Scholarship Chief’s friends don’t forget, this year providing funding for eight scholarships.
Comeback Athlete of the Year: University Orthopedics and Memorial Medical Center provide the support to recognize a male and female athlete that have overcome a serious injury to compete again.
Mr. & Mrs. Alan R. Elia Memorial Scholarship: The Elia’s held strong beliefs in youth and had an affinity for basketball, hence this award that goes to a high school, male and female player, that best exemplifies those beliefs.
Six Mile Run & Relay + Adjustments to this event continue in an effort to identify the signature run that will appeal to the most runners, the six mile run with the relay option just might be it. It was well received by all that participated.
Soccer
PAL Summer Soccer: Moved back to Niagara Falls High School on the new artificial turf fields and it was great. The number of participants increased and the venue was a big hit.
Futsal: * New endeavor in the gym with a slightly different approach to the game, low bounce on the ball, but the idea is familiar.
Indoor: Keeping the rust off and still developing skills.
Travel: Beginning in May and continuing through the summer on the pitch at various locations.
Sports Awards The quality has never waned in more than three decades of recognizing the best athletes in the Niagara Community.
Tennis * The clinic expanded into a full-fledged instructional program two days a week at the new courts at NFHS.
Tutoring If help can be provided, it is.
Twelve Days of Christmas 119 families were able to sit down to a holiday dinner thanks to the efforts of PAL volunteers, NFHS Staff and the Niagara Falls Police Department.
Van Almost 140 road trips for a myriad of reasons, from art to wrestling, kids were able to get there and participate where that might have not be able to without the availability of the van.
Youth Forum: Breakfast with Santa: An above average year for this above average event with crafts, face painting and above all – a photo with Santa!
*Denotes new program.
The most diversified youth program – “Kids Are Our Business.”
Respectfully submitted,
Art
Arthur E. Eberhart
Executive Director