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Recognizing, Honoring, and Celebrating the Northwest Raiders Athletic Association on forty (40) years of providing positive youth development and community service for children, youth and residents of Northwest Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association was established in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1971, by a group of concerned adults who sought dynamic ways to engage in positive interaction with children and youth living in various neighborhoods throughout Northwest Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association provides outstanding service to the community by training children and youth in various athletic programs such as football, cheerleading, baseball, basketball, along with track and field; and
WHEREAS, The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association is an organization focusing on youth between the ages of 5 to 18 years, with a mission to establish and maintain an organized program consisting of rewarding intellectual and athletic experiences that stress the character-building qualities of sportsmanship, healthy competition, grace in defeat and, pride in hard fought accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Through their sports programming and mentoring initiatives, the Northwest Raiders Athletic Association has helped usher thousands of children through tough inner-city life and into productive and prosperous adults, including Temple University and Philadelphia 76er basketball star, Aaron McKie; current University of Pennsylvania Basketball Head Coach Jerome Allen, and the Mississippi Valley State University Basketball Star Kevin Burwell; and
WHEREAS, On December 10, 2011, in Orlando, Florida, the 2011 Northwest Raiders Midget Football Team (Raiders) represented Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Eastern Region in the Pop Warner's National Championship 'Super Bowl' game; and
WHEREAS, Led by Head Coach Duane Watson, along with Assistant Coaches Richard Williams, Lamont Ragsdale, Cyril Woodland, Gerald Berry, Andrea Drummond, Edward Blake, Kenny McClutchin, Aaron Josey, and Elliott Eldridge, the Raiders had a spectacular season that consisted of 10 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie, and defeated teams from Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and New Jersey on their road to the 2011 Regional Championship and the 2011 National Championship Game; and
WHEREAS, Led by Cheerleading Coordinator, Kim Guyton, along with Cheer Coaches Idris Guyton (Midget Squad), Beverly Williams-Bey (Junior Midget Squad), Lynia Tarpley (Pee Wee Squad) and Alicia Williams-Bey (Junior Pee Wee Squad) in 2011, the Raiders cheerleading squads of the Liberty League competed in the South Qualifier held in October 2011 placed 1st in local competitions (Junior Pee Wee Squad, Pee Wee Squad, and Junior Midget Squad). The Junior Midgets advanced to and competed in the Regional Championships in November 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association has a vested interest in the growth and development of each member, as they traverse the community, on and off the field, helping them to see the futility in engaging in negative, non-productive behavior and the benefits of participating in an organized and productive athletic experience which promotes healthy lifestyles, prevents childhood obesity, and prevents health related illnesses; and
WHEREAS, The Northwest Raiders Athletic Association is organized to develop and operate a football league in affiliation with Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., which is a non profit corporation (founded in 1929) that provides youth football and cheerleading programs for approximately 400,000 young people ranging in ages from 5 to 16 years old in 42 states and several countries around the world; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize, honor and celebrate the Northwest Raiders Athletic Association on their continued efforts to uplift the community by providing structured and positive activities for the youth of Northwest Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That we congratulate Head Coach Duane Watson, the Assistant Coaches, Cheerleading Coordinators, and the entire Northwest Raiders Athletic Association team on their impressive accomplishment and for serving as outstanding ambassadors for the City of Philadelphia and being a source of pride for all of its citizens.
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Northwest Raiders Athletic Association as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body and a demonstration of its unwavering support for the Northwest Raiders Athletic Association and its community involvement.
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