Youth hit the court
Steve Nash basketball program starts up with big turnout
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 1, 2016
INUVIK
Youth packed the East Three Elementary School gym for the first day of the Steve Nash basketball program Nov. 26.
Courtlyn Clark smiles while practising her dribbling. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo
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About 35 students showed up for the first day, which was more than last year.
"We had a really good showing for our first day," said organizer Lorne Guy, who is in his second year leading the program.
He tried this year to fit the basketball schedule around other sporting activities going on in the winter to better avoid conflicts that arose for some youth last year.
Every Saturday until mid-February the group, made up of youth in Grade 3 to 5, will be meeting to practise their basketball skills.
On the first day, youth didn't shoot a ball at the net during the whole practice except in the warm-up before it began. Instead, they practised dribbling, pivoting and moving the ball around their body.
Guy said for the young athletes, fundamentals come first.
"I'm a big fundamentals person and if I'm starting with junior high kids and showing them how to do a layup or how to dribble the proper way, then we're really losing out competition-wise because the Yellowknife teams have already had those programs established," he said.
"One of the things I focus on at this level is just the fundamentals, making sure that they are sound when it comes to that and then we can get into some progressive stuff later on in their playing careers."
Participants are treated with a fun day at the end of the program with a pizza party and gifts, such as jerseys and basketballs.
"It's just really good to see the kids come out," said Guy.
"It's a long winter here and even if is just an hour on Saturday where the kids can run around the gym but do it in a structured way, I feel like we're doing something positive for the kids and they're getting something positive out of their Saturdays."
Towards the end of the interview with the Drum, one young participant yelled out a thank-you across the gym.
"That's why I do this stuff," said Guy. "I know that kid had a good time."
Anyone interested in joining the program should contact Guy at East Three School.
