Warren-Swansea, Bristol Football Teams Unite

In the midst of decreased attendance, the rivalry between the Warren-Swansea Redskins and Bristol Mustangs ended with a twist this season -- with a merger of the two organizations, and the formation of the East Bay Warriors.

Henry Cabral, co-president, will drum up more success, form deeper teams, be safer, and help formulate "comraderie between the kids."

But Warren-Swansea and Bristol are not the only two teams to merge as of late. The Middletown Islanders recently merged with the Newport Vikings, and Riverside Raiders recently merged with the East Providence Mohawks, adding a competitive element to the decision to merge. Also, Cabral added, the program will benefit the Mt. Hope and Case football programs, with the assistance of people such as Jason Prouix and Jack Rienhard, both former all state players at Mt. Hope High School.

"I think there's a lot of positive things that come out of this, I really do," Cabral said.

Co-president Donna Riendeau agrees. "I'm expecting a really good season this year," she said, citing that registration is going well considering baseball season is still taking place. "I'm really excited about it, we've got great people from all three towns, and it's going to be a great year."

"I never understood the whole Bristol-Warren rivalry," she said, noting the fact that the unified school district means that the children from the two towns are friends.

"The kids... are really excited about it" she stated. "I think because once they get to middle school, they get to be friends."

Mr. Cabral expressed the same sentiment, stating that with so many of the children going to school together, that the rivalry "has come to pass."

The organization, which offers football and cheerleading in various divisions from ages 5-15, is holding two more registration dates on Monday, July 11th and Monday, July 18th from 6-8 pm at Veteran's Field in Warren at Kickemuit Middle School. In addition, online registration can be completed at ebwarriors.com. Registration is $100 for one child, $160 for two children, and $210 for three or more. There is also a $25 registration fee per child, for which parents will recieve $25 in raffle tickets to either keep or sell.

Additionally, the organization will host a golf tournament on August 19, at Swansea Country Club, in an effort to raise money. For more information, contact Jeff Begin at amediq@comcast.net.