CYO Bowling at Rab's is something new, inexpensive and stress-free
Updated: Mar. 04, 2019, 2:38 p.m. | Published: Nov. 14, 2017, 1:30 p.m.
Those taking part in CYO Bowling at Rab's includes, standing left to right, coach Alex Santos, Charles Whitford (12-years-old), Kaitlyn Yost (11) and coach Melissa Kammerer. The front row includes Claudia DeVito (6), left, and Oliver Pepe (4).
By Charlie De Biase Jr. | debiase@siadvance.com
There's plenty to like about CYO Bowling at Rab's, but Frank Wilkinson couldn't help but emphasize one aspect of the program that has just about all involved smiling.
"Everyone plays,'' said Wilkinson, proprietor of Rab's Country Lanes in Dongan Hills. "No one sits the bench.''
In a day and age where playing time generally dominates the topic of discussion in youth sports, CYO's brand new bowling program has been a breath of fresh air.
"We've been looking for an outlet for kids where they don't have to worry about when the coach is going to put them in,'' said Mike Neely, Staten Island's CYO County Coordinator. "The new bowling program is just like track where although you are still on a team, you also get a chance to shine individually and maybe, in some cases, a kid finds their niche.
"Some kids don't like the pressure of putting the ball in the basket in front of crowds,'' added Neely. "This program gives the kids another outlet (to compete without the pressure to perform).
"The one thing that I see a lot is whether a kid rolls a strike or a gutter ball, they laugh. That's usually not the case (through the good and the bad) in some other sports.''
Neely said starting the program was first discussed approximately three years ago, but for various reasons it was put on the back burner. However, the idea finally picked up steam when Wilkinson contacted him inquiring about the same subject.
"And it took another huge step on making it happen when St. Teresa's Cathy Guarnieri, a lifer in the bowling community, got involved,'' added Wilkinson.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS
The current nine-week program kicked off on the last Monday in September. According to Wilkinson and CYO Bowling commissioner Nazareth Laursen, 92 kids have signed up and been split into 24 teams, usually five keglers per team.
There are three divisions, including the K-1-2nd grade, the 3-4th grade and the 5-6-7-8th grade. Wilkinson said there's good balance between the boys and girls enrolled and standings and individual leaders are displayed each week near Rab's front desk.
"The tie-in with CYO has helped the enrollment,'' said Laursen, who is Rab's junior coordinator. "We didn't have to sell it. It's the kind of sport parents can relate to through experience and now, a lot of kids come in with their families and they feel comfortable.''
Neely, meanwhile, couldn't be happier with the feedback he's received.
"Nothing but positive,'' said Neely, who credited Vincent Ignizio, the CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island, for giving 100 percent backing on the new program. "The kids ... their parents ... they love it. The people at Rab's have been fantastic coordinating the whole thing and CYO is along for the ride.
"And there's more to it than just bowling,'' added Neely. "I spoke to a woman recently who was pleased that her son made 2-3 new friends by taking part in the program and, looking at the bigger picture, that really goes hand-in-hand with the spirit of CYO.''
Wilkinson, meanwhile, said 95 percent of the kids participating have never bowled in an organized league before.
The present season, which doesn't include playoffs, will end on Nov. 27 with a trophy ceremony and pizza party for all participants.
NEXT SEASON IS JANUARY
However, come January, CYO Bowling at Rab's will begin its second season and all involved are expecting enrollment to go up.
"These kids are now spokespersons for the program,'' said Wilkinson, who, along with Laursen, praised Rab's youth coaching program for taking part in CYO Bowling. "Most are doing something they've never done before and word will start getting out.''
Neely said the $120 entry fee gets each participant a CYO Bowling T-shirt and two games a week. Just like in basketball registration, public school children may sign up with their respective parishes.
Competitors who don't have enough participants to make a team from their parish may sign up individually. They will be assigned to a team of a neighboring parish.
In addition, Neely said January's nine-week session may be on played on Tuesdays instead of Mondays.