Niagara Police
Athletic League
2021 Annual Report
Just when you thought it might get better, there was Delta...and then Omicron...so the hope that at the end of 2020 that we were turning a corner, instead, led to a dark alley! 2022 has to be better!
For Niagara PAL, 2021 was a good, yet challenging year:
There were some plusses:
Soccer
Tennis
Niagara Power Baseball Game
Art Awards
Breakfast with Santa
Santa Dash
Great Niagara Steakout
There were some adjustments:
Do The Right Thing was modified 
Kids & Kites was limited
Van use was down.
There were some negatives:
- Could not do Students of Excellence
- Could not do Sports Awards
- Postponement of the 50th anniversary of PAL for the second year, among others.
Despite the adversity of the year, there were a number of positives.
- A large increase in participants at the Elementary School Run,
The most people in attendance at the Art Awards - The best year yet for the Steakout,
- The most registered runners at the Santa Dash
- An increased emphasis on Special Olympics & Unified Sports programs.
- Niagara Falls High School implemented a new endeavor for seniors, a program called Post-Secondary Success or PS2. PAL shared resources and contacts to assist the program in getting established.
The year 2022 has not started well:
Basketball (at least postponed)
Indoor soccer canceled
Sports Award Dinner canceled (more on that later) 
Special Olympics floor hockey placed on hiatus.
Despite all that, the Niagara PAL will persevere and will do all it can to provide quality programs for the youth of the community.
Sports Awards, the athletes and other recipients will be recognized for their achievements, just not at a dinner. The exact format is being formulated, probably a virtual presentation on a digital platform.
Indoor Soccer will move to an outdoor spring program
Special Olympics is planning a summer Bocce league.
Summer soccer, tennis, Power game and Steakout should not be a problem.
With a little luck we will be able to do the Art Awards and Students of Excellence.
The event that needs to happen is "50 + 2," Niagara PAL's 50th anniversary a couple years later! An open house type event is tentatively scheduled for August 13 th at the NFHS athletic complex.
It would be a family event with as many former PAL kids, their kids, and their kids in attendance for a fun day of games, food and positive memories! The plan is to get as many former and current PAL kids, volunteers and friends together. And if they can't make it, an e-mail or note from them. The second function would be a reception in October where PAL would recognize the athlete, achiever, advocate, patron, volunteer of the half century.
"Kids Are Our Business"
2021 Niagara Police Athletic League Program Summer
Baseball: Had "PAL Night at the Power" game where they retired Sheriff Voutour's number from the Rapids and recognized the Executive Director for his service to the community.
Basketball
Girls Summer High School League: Could not do a program
Elementary School League: Could not do a program
JV Boys League: Could not do a program
Brian Swayze Students of Excellence: For the second year, no program was were the school league champions!
Concession Trailer
PAL Summer Soccer Program: Limited sales to drinks and candy
Kidz & Kites: No sales, just provided logistic support for the event (cooked the hot dogs)
Wildlife Festival: Did not do the event
Do The Right Thing Ceremony: Did modified program, but the kids still received their recognition for their accomplishments
Elementary School Run: Changed the venue and had the largest turnout of runners in years
Fine Arts Awards: Modified the program to fit the circumstances, went to a mid-week evening event, with the largest attendance to date
Great Niagara Steakout: Everyone was out looking for an outlet. Full complement of golfers
Join us at:
"The 17th Annual PAL Great Niagara Steakout"
Mondav July 11th, 2022 at the Niagara Frontier Countrv Club
Halloween Event: Could not do a program
Santa Dash 5K: The run was back with more than 130 registered runners
Kids Free Play Days: Could not do a program
Kidz & Kites: The event was moved to the Niagara Falls High School Athletic Complex. PAL cooked the hot dogs for distribution to the kite flyers
Ralph Wilson Niagara Community: No activity
Scholarships: 26 high school seniors received some assistance, thanks to those who continue to support the programs
Soccer: Two
Fine Arts Awards: Seven
Mark "Chief" Williams Memorial Scholarship: Fifteen
Comeback Athlete of the Year: None
Mr. & Mrs. Alan R. Elia Memorial Scholarship: Two
Brian Swayze Students of Excellence: None
Soccer
Summer: Reduced the number of participants to make the program manageable
House: Saturdays in the summer — again less participants
Fall: Were able to have a full program
Indoor: Had to move the program back and outdoors, but it worked well Travel: Had a complete season
Special Olympics*: Provided support whenever necessary
Sports Awards: Could not do the program
Tennis: Again, slightly modified, but very successful
Instructional: In the mornings for the younger players
Intermediate*: In the evenings for the older, experienced players
Unified Sports*: Like Special Olympics, provide necessary support, but in the school setting
Van: Obviously not used in the first half of the year — but from September to December it was out 35 days
Youth Forum: Not as much for them to do, just summer soccer in the trailer
*Denotes new program.
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur E. Eberhart
Executive Director