BELAIR--Island Hoops Foundation “Summer Streetball 2018” basketball camp ended on Sunday at the Belair Fitness centre in Cay Hill where parents were able to see the skills acquired by their children during the month-long camp, as well as watch some 3x3 games between participants. Some 109 children took part.
The finale included an entertaining keynote address on purpose by local motivational speaker Darren Wilson. This was followed by the certificate ceremony and the announcement of the four recipients of the Island Hoops Tuition Grant. Each grant is in the amount of US $250 to be put towards the child’s school fees or school uniforms.
The recipients were Gelisa Peynado, Témar Thomas, Malachi Martis and Maliek Short.
The camp focussed on basketball skills training in the mornings followed by interactive life skills workshops including topics such as money management, communication and teamwork. Speakers were hand-picked by Island Hoops Foundation’s board based on their personal and professional life experiences.
They included entrepreneur Kate Roper, student care coordinator and mental health therapist Veronica Hazel, Jacques Heemskerk, a specialist in organising youth centred workshops, and dynamic speaker and gifted communicator Darren Wilson.
The basketball camp was spread over each weekend throughout the month of July, catering to boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18 years.
“Opening up the camp to younger age groups is a means of growth for the sport of basketball on St. Maarten, we found it imperative that we shift our focus to our younger children. By encouraging earlier participation, we aim to spark their interest and cultivate a love for the sport,” said Paul Bell, President of Island Hoops Foundation.
