POUGHKEEPSIE – Roy Watterson has revived a football camp in Poughkeepsie that is doing more than teaching kids about the game. The two-week program, with the support of the city government, is giving kids an alternative to being on the streets.
“Right now the city is horrible,” said Watterson, adding “we have nowhere for these kids to go.” Watterson’s program is geared toward teaching children sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork. Learning the game of football is secondary to those initiatives in Watterson’s free camp. Watterson has teamed up with City of Poughkeepsie Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Brian Laffin for this program, and an upcoming flag football league for children who don’t meet the age minimum of 9-years-old for Pop Warner.
“If we had more support from the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD), we could have had this camp at the Poughkeepsie High School field,” said Watterson. Without the cooperation from the PCSD, Watterson enlisted the help of Mayor Rob Rolison and Laffin to bring the program to Stitzel Field. The Parks and Recreation Department was able to transform the outfield of the baseball field into a football field, including a goalpost.
Watterson said that he originally tried to get the PCSD involved and sought the help of the Athletic Director (AD). The AD sent Watterson to the Facilities Director who referred Watterson to District Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser. According to Watterson, Superintendent Rosser scheduled a meeting with Watterson and then canceled it and did not return follow-up calls. It was at that point that Watterson said he enlisted the help of Mayor Rolison. “We needed to get the program going and couldn’t wait for the school district, ” Watterson said.
Rolison attended Monday’s camp opener along with Councilwoman Lorraine Johnson. “Roy Watterston and his group of volunteers are our partners in helping the youth of this City. When he asks for help we are there,” said Rolison as he surveyed the large group of children being coached on various football drills. Watterson has assembled a team of volunteer coaches with experience at the high school and college level. A few NFL players are expected to stop by at some of the camp days this week as well. “This is mentoring and this is what the city needs more of,” exclaimed Councilwoman Lorraine Johnson.
Detective Karen Zirbel of the City of Poughkeepsie PD said that her coworkers and the Police Athletic League (PAL) have also partnered with Watterson to give the boys and girls some positive activities for the summer. The PAL donated enough sports water bottles that each participant will have their own. The police are also working with local restaurants to give the kids a pizza party at the end of the camp.
Watterson put nearly $2,000 of his own money into the camp and was supplemented by community donations. The money has gone towards water and sports drinks, t-shirts, and other supplies for the campers. The City donated footballs and flag-football equipment. The footballs are for the camp and the flag equipment is for the upcoming flag football league that starts in early September.
