The bake sales and car washes that provide funding in the past for extra sports equipment has fallen victim to the pandemic this year so in stepped a parent at Hayfield Secondary School, and the team spent Monday afternoon, March 23, hitting brand new tackling dummies, blocking sleds and crossover cushions to make this football season work.
A football parent, Janelle Lei-Sam made the donation possible
According to The Connection Newspapers, "Lei-Sam’s son Amani, who is a linebacker on the team, got the honor of cutting the ribbon around the blocking sled before the team broke up into practice squads and put the new equipment to use. One of the old pads they used before showed all the signs of wear and tear with padding leaking out and duct tape covering holes. The team did not have the tackling dummies and blocking sleds in previous years, so to get that practice in, they tackled each other which sometimes led to injuries that could have been avoided. Coach Henderson mentioned that he felt it was better to spend the money he’s allotted from the county on helmets and uniforms instead of tackling dummies. There isn’t enough in the budget for both."
As per The Connection Newspapers, "All the Fairfax County high school football teams are playing this spring, which is a big change from previous years, and the bleachers are not as full-on game night due to the measures taken to avoid spreading COVID-19. “In the middle of this pandemic, this is something positive,” Lei-Sam said. The Hawks are 0-4 this season so far, but that may change now that the practices will be upgraded."
Maryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.
