The Hoops for Youth basketball program will be offered again in the Comox Valley this spring on Mondays and/or Wednesdays for all ages from kindergarten to Grade 7 and girls from Grade 8-12 at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary.
Hoops for Youth, under the leadership of varsity coaches Jouska Lockquell and Tom Elwood, saw the need to create more opportunities for youth to play basketball all year long. “Our senior athletes always tell us that they wish they could have started playing basketball earlier,” explains Lockquell. Hoops for Youth is about fair play, skill development and most of all, having fun while learning the fundamentals of basketball.
“Last fall, our Steve Nash Program was a success. Now that our boys and girls varsity teams are back from their own B.C. championships, the senior athletes-coaches are ready to share their passion with the kids and give back to the community.”
They are the same 15 coaches who gained NCCP certification with the women’s basketball national Olympic team coaches Alison and Mike McNeill from BC Basketball. “With the NCCP certification, we are making sure that we not only have enthusiastic and passionate leaders, but also have coaches that follow the Sport Canada’s Longterm Athlete Development Model and the national guideline in basketball,” adds Lockquell.
“We want to offer a program where every player has the chance to celebrate their development. With a ratio of five players to one coach, the players get the opportunity to maximize their potential, build character and self-esteem.”
Registration is open now until April 18. The program will run from April 28 till June 11.
Kindergarten-Grade 1 Monday (4-5 p.m.)
Grade 2-3 Monday (5-6 p.m.)
Grade 4-5 Wednesday (4-5 p.m.)
Grade 6-7 on Monday and Wednesday night (time varies)
Grade 8-12 girls Wednesday (7-9 p.m.)
For more info or to get a registration form e-mail isfeldlockquell@gmail.com.
– Hoops for Youth
