Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
August 02, 2007
For Immediate Public Release
The Department of Sports is finalizing arrangements to welcome basketball coaches from the United States and United Kingdom who will mentor and train young people in a camp for two weeks.
The August 06 to 18 camp titled “Reach One, Teach One ““ Building Bridges to Success” is a sports tourism initiative coinciding with the recent touring of two junior cricket teams from the UK as well as six regional squads contesting the ongoing TCL West Indies Under 19 Championships.
Acting Director of Sport Dave Connor told SKNIS that the basketball camp is designed to impart knowledge on the rules of the game and teach fundamental techniques to locals playing the sport as well as to those interested in learning basketball. Participants from the U.S., the U.K. and Jamaica will also attend this camp, taking advantage of the expertise of Coach (Camp Coordinator) Dave Schumacher, Steve Graham and Billy Hahn.
Connor explained that focus will also be placed on shaping individuals to be well rounded, productive citizens.
“Life skills are an important part of the camp,” he stressed. “Presentations will be made on issues such as teamwork, discipline and conflict resolution which are necessary for proper socialization within a society.”Adding to the appeal of the camp is the prospect of learning about life in the professional league. NBA players Mike Hall from the Washington Wizards and Pops Mensah-Bonsu of the Dallas Mavericks will be on hand to share with the children along with former WNBA stars Rushia Brown and Nyree Roberts.
Connor said that he hopes to top the numbers that participated in the 2006 inaugural camp.
“Last year we averaged 125 persons daily with 75 persons taking part in the day sessions and 50 persons attending at evenings,” he noted. “This year we want to have about 150 to 200 participants.”
As such, “we are making an appeal to the established basketballers to come and (learn ways to) improve their game. Those “¦ who have the skill and want to further their education should come out and let the coaches “¦ evaluate them for possible scholarship opportunities.”
The camp will be held at the Conaree Sporting Complex. An opening ceremony will be held on Wednesday (August 8) at 10:15 a.m. to officially declare the camp open. Training begins that same day. Morning sessions catering for 7 to 16 year old children runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. while the evening sessions devoted to 16 years and older will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Interested persons are invited to register at the Department of Sports.
Parents and members of national sporting associations will not be ignored as a presentation by Coach Billy Hahn, tailored specifically them, takes place on Saturday (August 11) at the Basseterre High School Auditorium. The event starts at 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Connor added that cultural exchange opportunities will also result between the local and visiting Caribbean and U.S. U.K. participants. Some of these exchanges will be captured and aired in the United States by a TV crew from Houston, Texas.
Cable and Wireless has committed to sponsor the developmental camp.
Additional information about the camp is available at http://www.myspace.com/bballersparadise