“Community and sponsorship from socially responsible companies made all the difference for us. The pandemic brought on inflation and it was a double whammy. Everything is more expensive, and sports equipment is no different.”
As Lead Coordinator of the Kingsville Texas Youth Football League and Cheer (KTYFL), Laura Prado is a busy woman.
“Oh my gosh,” she said, “I don’t have a job, but really…I do, it’s this league!” she laughed.
KTYFL is a football and cheer league for kids ages 4-12. The league recently expanded to add cheer, and this year they have 55 girls participating, and 110 boys in football.
KTYFL was started by Senior Head Coach and League President, Kevin Wickham. Coach Wickham has continued coaching and is devoted to the League because, as Prado explained, “Kevin loves coaching, and he loves making an impact on kids’ lives. We’re more than just football. We all work to instill positive values in our kids they can carry through life, and Coach Wickham lives it.”
Community Pride in Both Directions
In Kingsville, people are proud of their community, and proud of their football and cheer kids. “We have our homecoming parade coming up later today!” Prado exclaimed, “and we’re all super excited. The town could not be more supportive of us, and the kids love to participate in their community.”
While helping shape character development through sports, Prado admitted it hasn’t been easy, especially with the effects of the pandemic on society.
“Community and sponsorship from socially responsible companies made all the difference for us. The pandemic brought on inflation and it was a double whammy. Everything is more expensive, and sports equipment is no different,” she said.
She also noted the donation from Pattern Energy made a big difference for the kids this year.
“Our kids’ jerseys have a Pattern Energy logo on them because we truly appreciate their support. We were able to purchase two jerseys (one home and one away) for the kids, new football helmets, insurance, and trophies for the players,” she said.“Not every family can afford to pay for their kids to join our league, so we provide scholarships for some of them. The sponsorship allows us to do that, and we appreciate it very much.”
Coaches and Volunteers
Prado explained the coaches really love the kids, and the kids respect their coaches. “We do focus on the whole child,” she said. “Sure, we love football and cheer, but we want our kids to grow up with love for their community, and to be all-around good people.” She paused and added, “I think we do a great job.”
Pattern Energy does more than just sponsor the team. Pattern employee Terence Maxey actively participates with the league as the KTYFL Defensive coordinator for the 11-12-year-olds.
Prado said the league and kids love Coach Maxey. “Coach Maxey’s own kids have aged out of the league and are in high school, but Coach Maxey stayed with us and is still coaching. That’s the type of people we have in KTYFL, and we think it shows in how our kids turn out and grow as part of our league.”
Prado concluded, “We love football and cheer, we love our community, and they love us back. It’s really wonderful.”