Valley Stream P.A.L. looking to gain stream

The acronym, P.A.L. stands for the Police Activities League. But it also could represent the three standards that the Nassau County program, including the Valley Stream unit, promotes in today’s youth — positivity, achievement and learning.

During a recent registration session on Sept. 29 at Memorial Junior High School, laughter filled the air. Coaches were excited and encouraged parents to sign up their children. “It’s a great program,” said Nassau County Police officer Gary Biggers, the program’s director. “It’s fantastic.”

Formed in mid-1930s, the Valley Stream P.A.L. unit has seen much change. Like most other P.A.L. programs, the name changed from Police Athletic League to the current name, in order to focus on comprehensive programs, not just sports.

This year brings a new basketball director, Steve Thom, and the search continues for more coaches in an effort to revitalize the program. The league also offers free basketball clinics for kids.

Though there may be some work ahead, the organization’s leaders look forward to a bright future. In addition to Biggers, the local P.A.L. is led by President and Bowling Director Joanne Cuomo, and Vice President and Dance and Studio Director Darryl Granum.

Fliers listing the league’s unofficial motto, “It is better to build youth than mend adults,” is telling of the league’s values. Welcoming children anywhere from kindergarten through ninth grade from not only Valley Stream but the surrounding communities, speaks to the diverse, family-friendly feeling of the program.

A variety of activities

There are a host of different activities for kids and teenagers offered by P.A.L.

One of the biggest programs is basketball, open to boys and girls in grades 2-8. The motto is that “everyone plays,” and even parents can come help out and coach.

“P.A.L. is a stand-alone organization, not taken over by any other program,” Thom said. He and other P.A.L. leaders want to bring basketball back to the way it used to be, encouraging kids, no matter their ability, to try their best and have fun.

For sports lovers, there is also tennis. Coach Lou Dryce has 20-plus years of experience with the “power game.” Participants in his programs not only improve their hand-eye coordination, but also their confidence and self-awareness.

“I enjoy working with the P.A.L.,” he said, “and all the members of the police force.” He added that in order to teach kids and adults, a person must have a sense of humor and great personality.

In bowling, which takes place at Rockville Centre Lanes, participants can get very competitive yet still have fun, explained Cuomo. “I love having kids around,” she said. “They bowl, strike, jump up and down. After hitting a pin, they say, ‘I did it.’”

In addition to those activities, there is also judo and wrestling. For those into the performing arts, there is hip-hop dance, kickline, baton twirling and Zumbatomics, a high-energy fitness dance class for kids. As of Sept. 29, 60 kids signed up for the dance classes run by Granum.