KP Athletics holds inaugural football camp for Yuma kids

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Kids in Yuma were able to put their hands in the dirt and learn some valuable skills on the gridiron this weekend.

Upwards of 20 kids laced up their cleats and took the field at Yuma Valley Park for an all day football camp put on by KP Athletics.

KP Athletics is a group formed by Karl Pope to train younger kids in individual training, group training or camps to give back to the community.

It’s a way for kids in Yuma to stay local and train for an affordable price instead of having to travel far away for instruction. Outside of Yuma, some of the closest places to go are Phoenix, San Diego and others.

This was the inaugural camp put on by the group and Pope says he hopes for it to grow so more kids get involved.

"We’ve been indoors and cooped up for so long. So it's about trying to get back to some normalcy and give back to them and give them the opportunity and the environment that they can grow and become better as young athletes," said Pope. "That’s where the idea was...I’m going to create this group so i can give that to them. I can bring that to them in a local setting. as well as years upon years of knowledge in playing myself.”

Pope played football at Arizona Western College from 2005 to 2007 before moving on to play for the University of Delaware. Since then he has come back to Yuma where he coached Varsity football and girls Varsity basketball at Kofa High School.

You can find KP Athletics on Facebook for more information and daily inspiring quotes.