A Kona boy who made it all the way to the pros held a football camp Friday at Old Kona Airport Park for youth from around the state.
John Ursua, along with his family hosted two sessions of the the Brotherhood and Level Up camp. The morning session for eight to 12 year-olds drew 120 youth, and 75 middle and high school athletes attended the afternoon camp for 13 to 17 year olds wanting to improve their playing skills. High school players from all around the island plus Maui and Oahu signed up to participate in the three hour afternoon camp.
Ursua, who grew up in Kona and attended University of Hawaii was a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks from 2019 through this past season and is currently a free agent.
The family, who no longer live on the Big Island, wanted to make sure the camp was held in Kona because of their roots here.
“This couldn’t have happened without the help of the great people in this community. My kids grew up on this field. This community helped raise my kids,” said Ursua’s mom, Laurie, noting she raised her family in Hawaiian Home Lands.
Joining Ursua in the camp were his brothers Jared, who is a wide receiver coach for the Rainbow Warriors and Naia, a youth trainer. Other friends of the pro player also lent their expertise.
“It has been a dream of mine for the past four years to do this,” said Ursua. “I was timid and shy about putting this together, but with a lot of thought and prayer, help and support, it came together.”
He said this is the first camp he has held, but plans on making it an annual event.
“It’s all about giving back to the community I grew up in,” he said.
Besides putting the kids through drills and teaching them basic skills, Ursua wanted to deliver a message.
“Wherever you come from, wherever you go, you can make it,” he told the youth. “I grew up on this field and made it all the way.”
Ursua said his family is his biggest inspiration.
“Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said.
Ursua and his “Band of Brothers” ran the kids through drills including run-throughs, cuts, speed and agility and position training.
“It’s not about them as a player, it’s about them becoming athletes,” he said.
In a rally before starting the drills, Naia told the youth to “believe in yourself, you can do it.”
Ursua added “I want you to go home tired. When it’s time for a water break, I want you to run.”
“I know John and my kids and their friends wanted to give back to the community,” said Ursua’s father Larry. “We are proud of our kids.”