Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - They might not grow up to play for the Phoenix Suns or be named most valuable player, but young athletes in Fort Simpson are getting the chance to strengthen their basketball skills.

Kevin Anavilok-Roche prepares for a shot at the hoop during the first session of the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Twelve students arrived in their running shoes at the Bompas gym on Nov. 4 for the first session of the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program.

The program is being offered across the country to help students develop fundamental basketball skills at a younger age, said Kristen Morrison, a teacher at Thomas Simpson school who is running the program in the village together with fellow teachers Neil Penney and Christos Kazyas.

The decision to implement the program in communities around the North was made by Basketball NWT, Morrison said. In the village it's replacing the Small Ball program.

Students between the ages of 5-14 are welcomed to join. Twenty youth have already signed up for the one-hour sessions that are being held every Sunday at 4 p.m. during November. The program will take a break for three months during the popular ice season and run again from March to May.

"The focus is to have fun playing basketball," Morrison said about the program.

Participants will build on their dribbling, shooting, passing and footwork skills while also learning about the rules of the game. Keeping things light, game play and drills will be intermixed with schoolyard games such as British Bulldog modified to involve basketballs.

Taking a quick break from shooting hoops, Allan Humphrey, one of the participants, said he signed up because he likes basketball.

"I also want to get better," said Humphrey.

Registration fees for the program have been set at $20. In addition to learning basketball skills, each player will also receive a Steve Nash basketball jersey and a basketball.