Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 1, 1 January 2011 — OHA grant supports coaches training clinic [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA grant supports coaches training clinic

By Howard Dashefsky When it comes to discipline, determination and sheer will, University of Hawai'i Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Tommy Heffernan is willing to go the distance. He proved it this past June when he walked 37 miles, fromhis home in Hau'ula on the Windward side of O'ahu, to the Variety School at Diamond Head. His goal was to raise school tuition money for his daughter Hilina'i, who suffers from a disease that robs her of muscle tone. And when he's not caring for his daughter, he's working to raise the abilities and expectations of loeal athletes and coaches. "A lot of people laek the tools and facilities, so I wanted to eome up with a way to improve the opportunities for loeal coaches and athletic trainers," said Heffernan. "That's why I helped to develop the Hawai'i Strength Coaches Clinic." Last year's inaugural elinie proved to be a huge success with roughly 200 loeal coaches and trainers having a ehanee to work with, and learn from, some of the best strength and conditioning experts across the country. Heffernan says there are two main reasons why he wanted to establish the elinie. "One was to provide professional opportunities for our loeal coaches because they give so mueh

back to the kids," said Heffernan. "We wanted to make sure to bring in some people who could help them out with the strength and conditioning aspect and athletic training. And the second reason was to help them generate funds for weight rooms and other facilities that are critical to the development of our loeal athletes." Heffernan, who is half-Hawaiian and has a degree in Hawaiian Studies, says supporting the Hawaiian community is always a priority. At his first elinie, half the participants were of Hawaiian descent. And thanks to a $9,000 grant from OHA for the upcoming elinie, even more Hawaiians will be served. "Last year we were able to provide about 30 waivers for coaches and trainers who work with

Hawauan kids, saidHetfernan. "With the OHA grant this year we'U be able to do a lot more. So I'm happy to have the grant, whieh allows us to go out and recruit more coaches to participate in the elinie, whieh they

otherwise might not be able to afford." Although the mainland coaches all have a style of their own, Heffernan says his Hawaiian upbringing and values always play a role in his coaching and teachings. "I think personal and cultural

identity is very important," he said. "That is key, especially for our athletes here in Hawai'i." Heffernan also believes bringing Hawaiian beliefs into play not only makes for better athletes, but often for better people. "I like to share the stories of the people who eame before us. The story of Kamehameha and his battles and what he and his people went through, their perseverance and how they fought through the many obstacles in their way," said Heffernan. "If I ean make that eonneehon and let them see how these guys are a part of those people from the past, then they realize they represent mueh more than just themselves. They represent their families, their school, their eommunities and most important, their people." And if anyone knows about representing, school, eommunity and family, it's Heffernan. And if you don't believe it, just ask his daughter. She's now enrolled at Variety School, where she is enjoying her teachers, therapists and classmates. ■

Howard Dashefsky is a Contributing Writer for Ka Wai Ola. A 25-year veteran in broadcast news, he teaches journaīism atthe University of Hawai'i-Mānoa and produces showsfor OC 16.

Hawai'i Strength Coaches Clinic Date: Jan. 28-29, 2011 (Pro Bowl weekenel) Plaee: UH Athletic Complex, Alexander Waterhouse Training Facility (athletic weight room) Cost: $100, professionals; $75, Hawai'i High School Athletic Association coaches; $60, graduate assistants and students (includes T-shirt, luneh and socials). $20 late registration fee applies after Jan. 7 Keynote speaker Ray Wright, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Washington Redskins, will be joined by a host of other speakers, includingtwo-time 0lympic gold medalist in weightlifting Tommy Kono, mixed martial arts ehampion Egan Inoue, and Tom House, USC baseball Pitching Coach. Contact: 956-7882 ortheffern@ hawaii.edu.

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Volleyball players display off-season training techniques as Tommy Heffernan looks on. - Photos: Courtesy of īommy Heffernan

Tommy Heffernan gets a hug from daughter Hilina'i atthe end of his 37-mile walk in her honor.